For sixty-five years, SANOVO has been innovating technology for the handling and processing of eggs in the Netherlands. SANOVO Technology Netherlands has a long history that dates back to 1956, when the Dutch company Staalkat was established in Aalten for the production of egg sorting machines. Since 2006 Staalkat has been part of the Danish SANOVO Technology Group. The company is a specialized player in the Dutch agrifood industry.
SANOVO’s first machines were wooden frames with a scale mechanism to sort the eggs. From the early 1960s, the machines were gradually exported all over the world. Development has always been a core activity of SANOVO: over the years the capacity of the machines grew to more than 250,000 eggs per hour. In addition to increasing capacity, extremely gentle egg handling and individual egg control were developed and incorporated into the latest machines.
All machines made in the Netherlands for global export
Product development at SANOVO has always taken place in close contact with customers to ensure that the equipment meets their requirements exactly, whether they have a small, medium or large egg production. All machines are developed and built in Aalten and from there shipped all over the world.
David Kessels, Chief Product & Business Management, Egg Handling NL explains: ‘SANOVO Technology Netherlands is a competence center, where all aspects of production, development, sales, marketing and training are united. Each machine is installed at the customer’s site and comes with training for employees to ensure smooth use of the machines.
Sustainability by putting food safety first
With its machines SANOVO wants to contribute to better food safety worldwide in the field of eggs. Kessels: ‘We may not be preachers, but we do ‘preach’ the importance of high food safety. With our know-how and global coverage, we are succeeding quite nicely and can set some kind of standard.’
SANOVO approaches safety in three ways. First, it monitors materials that come into contact with eggs and can damage food safety. Secondly, it ensures traceability upstream and downstream in the egg production process. And last but not least, SANOVO maintains optimal cleanability of its machines. In their drive for quality, safety and sustainability, SANOVO is contributing to the Dutch agrifood industry’s aim to advance the future of food.
Continuous innovation with technology partners in the Netherlands
SANOVO Technology is constantly working on technological innovations; every year a completely new machine is developed and launched on the market. SANOVO makes use of the latest developments in camera technology. For this, they work together with Dutch academic and research partners such as the University of Twente, Eindhoven University of Technology and Wageningen University & Research. The regional development agency Oost NL, part of the Invest in Holland network, recently introduced SANOVO to OnePlanet Research Center in Wageningen to explore the possibility of participating in a sensor research program.
Expanding facilities to accommodate growth
SANOVO Technology is currently working on a major renovation and expansion of the current location in Aalten. Constant growth in sales and development meant that more space was needed. The premises were also somewhat outdated and spaces could be arranged and used better. Fortunately, the location in Aalten offers enough space for this renovation and expansion. Moreover, Aalten is strategically located for excellent access to markets, taking advantage of Holland’s superb infrastructure. From Aalten, SANOVO can serve the entire world; Amsterdam Airport Schiphol can be reached in an hour and a half, and machines can easily be transported to any part of the world. The three universities of Wageningen, Enschede and Eindhoven are also within easy reach.
