Aviko Besturing

25,000 Kilos of fries and 2,500 kilos of potato flakes: these impressive quantities come off the production line every hour in Aviko’s new factory in Poperinge (Belgium). Processes are extensively automated and digitalized. Van den Pol was responsible for controlling the two production lines, including control cabinets, software and cabling.

“There were already positive experiences at other locations,” says Thijs Vandamme, project manager for industrial automation at Aviko. “Van den Pol’s process knowledge spoke to their advantage. Just like the experience with greenfield projects, often in distant countries. West Flanders is almost a home game.” Aviko chose to tender machines and controls separately. “You can see that the client then acts as a postman between both parties,” says Vandamme. “That was not the case here. The machine supplier and Van den Pol proactively coordinated many matters. This really relieves us of our worries.”

Vandamme also praises Van den Pol for the progress. “They sounded the alarm in a timely manner when decisions had to be made. Unforeseen developments – delayed parts delivery – have also been tackled in consultation. This means we managed to put the factory into use according to plan.”