This year, the globally represented Tenrit Foodtec Maschinenbau Ltd received the Innovation Award from the Association of Southern German Asparagus and Strawberry Growers. (VSSE). Sascha Wietbrauk talked to us about, among other things, the machine with which Tenrit won the award and which will be on display at this year's expoSE and expoDirekt.
Sales manager Sascha Wietbrauk (left) and managing director Carl Philipp Tenge-Rietberg
Award-winning, unique modular model
"We are specialists in asparagus processing, especially when it comes to peeling, cutting and packing. Last season, we launched our latest model of asparagus peeling machines. Here, we offer a modular system in which the machine can be adapted to the individual wishes of our customers," says Sascha Wietbrauk.
"The system has been expanded to include the Tenrit Solo A Green model. The special feature here is that both white and green asparagus can be peeled. Until now, there was no machine on the market that could peel both varieties. The machine can be changed over simply by pressing a button. Even though the area under green asparagus is still much smaller than that under white asparagus, it is becoming increasingly important. Like our customers, we have followed this trend."
Tenrit Solo A Green
Machines sold out
"It is in direct marketing that the strength of the company and our peeling machines lies," says Wietbrauk. This sector includes farmers, fruit and vegetable retailers and food retailers. "Despite Corona, our machines were sold out this year, as well as last year. Especially in the first Corona year, uncertainty was felt in the market. In retrospect, direct marketers in particular came through the Corona crisis well. Building on that, we're in the planning and production stages for the upcoming season."
Green asparagus, direct marketing and convenience produce trending
Wietbrauk also told us that Tenrit is also seeing increasing interest in growing and selling green asparagus in the industry. According to Wietbrauk, "Even farmers or traders who did not normally offer asparagus in the past now include green asparagus in their product range. Green asparagus is particularly interesting for the young, upcoming generation, as it can be used more flexibly than pale asparagus, for example on the grill, in salads, etc." But ready-to-eat products are also becoming increasingly popular, he added. Demand in both the convenience and processed fresh sectors has risen sharply, he said. "Our peeling machines can now be found in more and more supermarkets throughout Germany."
Well prepared for longer delivery times
Tenrit is not affected by rising freight costs, as the material is sourced locally. However, material costs would now be more noticeable. "Especially for stainless steel, which we need for processing or production, the price has doubled in the meantime. But we had already stocked up in good time. We produce mainly in Germany."
Tenrit's main business is in asparagus and vegetable processing in Germany. Tenrit also has a strong presence abroad, but with lower sales compared to its presence in the DACH region. "Delivery times for installed materials and components are getting longer. However, we have stocked up with critical components in good time. We are well prepared as we plan reasonably, cleanly and with significantly more buffer. As we are heavily involved in seasonal business, we are geared accordingly to the respective needs of customers in the season. Out of season, we focus on production and planning for the coming one," says Wietbrauk.
Regarding expoSE/expoDirekt, Wietbrauk and his colleagues are mainly looking forward to getting in touch with customers personally again and having many conversations with them and market companions. "Above all, it is important for us to show that we are keeping up with the times and trends. This is underlined by the Innovation Award we received this year, which we are particularly proud of."
Visit the company at expoSE in Hall 2, Booth K12.
For more information:
Tenrit Foodtec Maschinenbau GmbH
Sascha Wietbrauk
Tenge-Rietberg-Straße 104
33758 Schloß Holte-Stukenbrock
Tel: +49 (0) 5207 89 54 - 0
Fax: +49 (0) 5207 89 54 - 18
E-Mail: foodtec@tenrit.com
Web: www.tenrit.com