d Trading Company, a Lodi, California cherry and pear packer has installed a GP Graders AirJet™ Defect Grader in its Lodi facility. The 40-lane cherry line is the largest ever installed by GP Graders. Rivermaid’s CEO, Patrick Archibeque and his team traveled extensively last year to evaluate all the cherry grading machines and software on the market and found the GP Graders AirJet™ Defect Grader with Ellips software to be the most impressive.
Commenting on the decision, Archibeque said, “our team was most impressed by the consistent product produced by the GP Graders’ AirJet™. The Ellips software accurately graded and sized the cherries with the precision we know our customer’s expect. The machine is an important tool in meeting our customer’s requirements.”
The Rivermaid team evaluated the cherry packouts intensively by size and defect, analyzing how the grader detected splits, cracks, softness, size and color. They were very impressed by what they saw. Archibeque added, “The installation of this line was our next step – and our most significant step – toward achieving our goal of being California’s highest quality cherry shipper. I think our customers, and the consumer, will be pleased with what we will be offering this season.”
The new line changes the way cherries are graded with up to 85% of defects detected and 97% sizing accuracy, which significantly reduces labor costs, increases productivity and enables the consistent execution of a strict, manageable quality standard. The line includes a twin feed submersible dumper, new style cluster cutters, hydro-cooling shower conveyors, a 40-lane defect grader and 36 exits all designed to fit within a 22,500 square foot shed.
As one of California’s largest cherry packers, Rivermaid plans to process 26 tons per hour at peak season.
Rivermaid Trading Company unveiled the new line, which they affectionately named “OZ”, at its annual grower party on Thursday, April 17, 2014.
