\nSince labor scarcity has been a great challenge already and the pandemic only put more pressure on this, automation solutions are high in demand.\u00a0\u201cTwisting crops to the wire is an activity that needs a certain skill and it takes time for workers to get the hang of it.
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<\/p>\nPlastic clips are an alternative, and so is the TOM-system. We see that the trend in the market to reduce plastics is stirring the popularity of the TOM-system,\u201d Alberto adds. \u201cThe galvanized steel used for the clips can remain in compost, since either a magnet can remove it or it can be composted with the old plants. But more than only the rising cost of composting product that\u2019s contaminated with plastic, there\u2019s also the general attention towards sustainability The TOM system and bio twines are the perfect marriage to not use plastics at all.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Bio-twine<\/strong> Over the last years the tool has also been updated regularly. Especially since the use of disinfectants like Virkon is growing, the team with Agrifast puts attention to improving the tool so the liquid will not affect it too much. \u201cJust like any tool used in the greenhouse, it can and has to be disinfected,\u201d Alberto says.<\/p>\n It\u2019s for situations like these why the pandemic might cause for a higher demand for automation solutions, yet still provides challenges for the Agrifast team. \u201cIf we can get into the greenhouse with a client, we can learn from the challenges growers deal with. With 5 different positions to close the wire, 1000 types of twines and many different types of varieties and crops, we can improvise and innovate a lot, but we need to know what growers are looking for.\u201d It\u2019s also why in addition to doing business with the greenhouse manager, one of the Agrifast team members always tries to get in the greenhouse with the workers once the system has been purchased. \u201cThe system is easy to use, but it is important to use it in the correct way. We have lots of video material now and can show people how to do it digitally, but still we want to be in the greenhouse with the users of our product.\u201d<\/p>\n Local network<\/strong> Ka-chunk. Ka-chunk. Ka-chunk. A soft and rhythmic sound arises from the pipe rail trolley in a cucumber greenhouse in Germany. The same sound can be […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4580,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4575","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nThis sustainable trend has also put new challenges to the Agrifast team. If a client wants to use the system in a bio-crop, with bio-twine, they will quickly develop a clip that\u2019s not galvanized. \u201cAnd we adjusted the software for the tool to adapt to biotwine,\u201dsays Alberto. \u201cThere are many types of bio-twines, but in general they are slightly thicker than plastic twines, which could cause issues when your are closing them. With special software, the clips close less close to the twine. This way it holds the weight and it avoids damaging the twine.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thetomsystem.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/tomsyst1.jpg\")
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\nOver the last years they invested into a network of local dealers and partners to help enable local support and they are still on the lookout for new ones. \u201cIn addition to annual maintenance, something might happen to the tool and since the effects on the cultivation works are high, we want to respond rapidly. From Spain we can help with UPS and send spare parts and tools in 24 or 48 hours, but for other countries that gets more difficult, especially with customs clearance. That\u2019s why we\u2019re focusing on broadening our network in the countries where we currently have clients, but no official dealers.\u201d ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/thetomsystem.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/IMG_4738.jpg\")
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