Automated
Certifications
RED-KES is certified according to GlobalG.A.P. and GRASP standards. This quality system was developed by several European supermarket organizations to ensure the highest standards of food quality in supermarkets. The certification system defines the requirements that growers and suppliers of fruit and vegetables must meet. In addition to food safety, GlobalG.A.P. also focuses on environmental protection, nature, and working conditions. In short, RED-KES contributes to a sustainable and environmentally responsible society!
Sorting System
In the processing area, the boxes are pushed off the transport carts and individually placed into the sorting system, once again fully automatically. Five weighing units weigh the tomato trusses to a maximum of 5 kilograms per box. The boxes are then transported via conveyor belts to a collection pallet, where automatic stacking and packaging take place.
Custom Packaging
RED-KES has its own box-folding machine, making it possible to produce customer-specific orders. The tomatoes can be packed and delivered in any desired type of box. In addition, RED-KES has developed its own distinctive and highly recognizable RED-KES box. This new packaging is available upon request.
Sales & Distribution
The average annual production of RED-KES amounts to approximately 5 million kilograms of vine tomatoes. Sales and distribution, including exports to Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, and England, are managed through STC International. Through this partnership, matters related to sales and administration are professionally coordinated.
RED-KES aims to supply as much as possible to the same customers on a consistent basis. This system ensures short lines of communication regarding quality, volume, packaging, logistics, and overall coordination.
CHP Units
On the company premises, there are two enormous turbine engines known as Combined Heat and Power units (CHP units), each with a capacity of 3.6 megawatts. These installations generate heat, electricity, and CO₂ — all essential elements for the growth of the crops and vine tomatoes.
The turbine engines power large generators that produce electricity. The heat generated during this process is stored in several buffer tanks and later used to heat the greenhouses.
Electricity
During this process, flue gases are released which, after being filtered, are injected into the greenhouses as clean CO₂. The plants absorb the CO₂ and convert it back into oxygen.
The electricity generated is partly used by RED-KES for its own operations, but the majority is sold to Westland Infra. As a result, part of the households in the Westland region are supplied with electricity every day.
Sustainable Innovations
In addition to our CHP units, we continue to invest in sustainable innovations. With solar panels, we generate green energy, while battery systems help us store and use this energy efficiently. Our e-boilers convert surplus electricity into heat for the greenhouse.
We also make use of geothermal energy through Trias Westland, using natural heat from the earth to warm our greenhouses. In this way, we reduce our gas consumption and actively work towards a more sustainable future.
Biological Crop Protection
We inspect our crops daily for diseases and pests and focus as much as possible on biological crop protection. Using natural solutions, such as bumblebees for pollination and beneficial insects for pest control, we keep our plants healthy.
This sustainable approach results in strong crops and high-quality tomatoes.
Van Iperen (Biobest) is the regular supplier of these biological systems. The company supplies, among other things, bumblebees for natural pollination. Throughout the greenhouses, nesting boxes containing a queen and worker bees are placed at regular intervals. The worker bees pollinate the flowers, which then develop into vine tomatoes.
This method of pollination reduces labor costs — as this process used to be done by hand — and also improves fruit quality.
