Van Hoornweder optimises slaughter process with CSB

Van Hoornweder, a slaughterhouse in Torhout, processes around 3,500 pigs daily and complies with strict legal requirements regarding quality and food safety. To achieve this, the company utilises innovative software from CSB-System. This software uses advanced algorithms to classify each carcass accurately, as required by law. Through its collaboration with CSB-System, Van Hoornweder is able to process carcasses quickly and efficiently while automatically sharing the required information with the government and clients.

Since fully switching to pork processing, Van Hoornweder has optimised its slaughter process, delivering fast and reliable results. The slaughterhouse operates as a service provider: it does not sell meat or own pigs but processes animals for clients, who collect the carcasses afterwards. This makes speed crucial, but quality and food safety remain the highest priorities.

The use of CSB-System offers a solution to the challenges the slaughterhouse faced when their previous software supplier decided not to renew the certification of their classification software. The new software, CSB-Image Meater, allows measurement of the thickness of the fat, meat, and vertebral circumference through a photo of the hip bone and vertebrae. The software calculates the lean meat percentage of each carcass, which is essential for legal compliance.

The system integration went smoothly, with a short startup period of just one weekend. After a simple calibration, the camera operates all day without issues and can classify up to 1,300 carcasses per hour. The data is then automatically shared with both clients and the government, ensuring transparency and clear documentation.

In addition to meeting legal requirements, the CSB-System also offers opportunities for further service improvements. For instance, the system can accurately determine the percentage of valuable carcass parts, such as ham, shoulder, belly, and back. This information is especially useful for sellers looking to cut the carcasses efficiently. Furthermore, the system is easy to use and maintain, making it more reliable and cost-efficient.

Erwin Kooke from CSB-System highlights the advantages of the system, including its accuracy, reliability, and scalability. Thanks to clear video images and detailed data, both slaughterers and clients can precisely see the yield of the carcass. This reduces disputes and provides all parties with the necessary documentation.

Van Hoornweder benefits from its collaboration with CSB-System by achieving higher efficiency in its slaughter process, while continuing to meet strict quality and food safety standards. The software also offers additional potential for future growth and service optimisation.

Csb.com