Westfort delivers top performance with new production facility

Weighing and labeling fresh meat products for a large number of supermarket branches automatically, at branch level, was the wish of Westfort Vleesproducten in September 2023. In less than four months, the latest generation of equipment for tracing, labeling, and sorting was installed at a new location. This was an intensive process in which IT partner RBK Group played a significant role.

Westfort Vleesproducten from IJsselstein presents itself on its website as a "Family business ready for the future." They live up to this motto by continuously evolving. One of the driving forces behind this is CEO Robbert van ’t Hoff, who firmly believes that automation is the key to advancing the company. "My interest in IT began when I was 16. When you look back at what has happened since, it’s incredible. Developments are happening faster and faster. Many people find new developments daunting. Not us. We’re eager to apply them."

(standing from left to right); Guido Verwaaijen, Wouter Beekhuizen, Robbert van ’t Hoff, Maurice van Mierlo (RBK), Harold Schaap, Frank Lunenburg; (seated) Aalbert Zijderveld, Tim Zielhuis.

A challenging project

Since 2018, RBK Group (RBK) has been managing the processes for cutting, packaging, and loading pork at Westfort Vleesproducten (Westfort) with the ERP package FOBIS®. Robbert explains: "Installing such an ERP package and keeping it up to date is just the beginning. Data provides insights, so-called actionable insights. These insights generate new demands because you always want to improve performance." Westfort shapes these developments with its own IT team, supported by external experts and consultants. One of them is Maurice van Mierlo. "I’ve been working at RBK for seven years. I started at the service desk and for the last four years, I’ve been working as an IT consultant, helping clients with implementations, improvements, complete new installations, and modifications on-site. This includes working with Westfort."

In September 2023, the company embarked on a challenging project together with RBK. Robbert explains: "At our IJsselstein location, we handle all slaughtering and deboning operations. We wanted to process, package, and label these parts at a new location. Fully automated and per branch to meet the requirements of our supermarket clients." The project had one condition: it had to be operational by January 2024.

Wish List

"You make a list of what you need: a team, equipment, processes for receiving raw materials, product traceability, packaging, order picking, and labeling," Robbert continues. This list became a reality in just a few months. "At our old production site in Oudewater, we installed four of the latest generation labeling/sorting lines." Maurice adds: "A key innovation was the implementation of the new FOBIS PR application and the integration of the pricing module with Bizerba’s pricing machine. What’s unique about these lines is that they have nine print heads that are flexibly controlled. These machines increase the speed of the process and ensure that the production line can continue running without interruptions." To achieve this speed and efficiency, RBK developed a new branch planning module that enables automatic sorting per supermarket branch after the pricing line.

Efficiency

"We’ve invested in the best equipment available, which is powered by the latest software. It’s an investment in efficiency that will pay off," Robbert continues, with 95% ‘standard’ and 5% custom software from RBK. "We put our team to work, and in the end, we pulled a few all-nighters to meet the deadline!" Maurice confirms: "It was a unique experience to develop the new location together and implement our software. There was strong commitment, we acted quickly, and clear agreements were made. We worked together toward the final result." Robbert adds: "The resilient and knowledgeable collaboration between Westfort and RBK allowed us to resolve issues quickly with a pragmatic approach. In the final week of the project, we implemented eight more updates. We really wanted to take it to the next level; the go-live had to be perfect."

Delivering top performance together

Robbert and Maurice are both beaming. "We knew it was going to work," Robbert says confidently. "In two weekend days in late January 2024, we launched: producing 150 items for 600 different stores with a new team. And those items were shipped the same afternoon. We really delivered top performance!" Maurice adds: "During the go-live, Oudewater felt like a 'Command and Control Center.' I’m extremely proud of what we achieved together with a great team. Of course, there were long days, and there was some grumbling now and then. But the foundation was solid, and you trust each other and work together toward a goal. "It just goes to show; you can’t do without IT," Robbert concludes.

www.westfort.nl
www.rbk.nl

Photos: © Herbert Wiggerman