OSV: Successful visit to GEA Food Solutions

At the beginning of June, the OSV visited GEA Food Solutions in Bakel. There were so many of us that the group was split into four for the guided tours and knowledge sessions. From the expressions on the photo you can see that it was a very successful afternoon. 

There was no red carpet but apart from that we felt like VIPs. Joost Vliegen, Managing Director GEA Netherlands, opened the meeting with a warm welcome. 

In the Food Solutions Technology Centre we were explained the testing possibilities for food producers, followed by a tasting of a 'fake' chicken nugget. The need for the expertise of these tests is so great that they run here all year round at 100% capacity. 

On to the hypermodern Heating & Refrigeration Truck (HRT), which impressed everyone. This is where we found the latest gadgets with VR and AR. It also provided a personal clarification of the usefulness of heat pumps in particular, which was substantiated with figures during the knowledge session by Tom Eelen. After his presentation, everyone in the room had the same question as me: 'Why haven't we switched en masse? A sustainable future is within reach. In the very short term, you can save a lot of energy and reduce CO2 emissions, even in an existing factory. 

Willem Poos took us into the world of Food Solutions: from marinating, preparing and processing not only meat or fish, but also jointly developing meat substitutes to contribute to the protein transition.

It was a varied and interesting programme, which caused quite a delay due to the many in-depth questions. And we haven't seen all that GEA does yet! Perhaps there is room for a follow-up.

Thanks again to the entire GEA team for their hospitable reception and the extensive program.

View the photos