Dutch processing line designer opening Washington service center

Dutch machine builder Eqraft, a longtime processing line collaborator with several American agricultural companies, is opening its first North American service center in Washington.

The Tri-Cities center, which will include a warehouse, workshop and office space, will be online in the second half of August, according to a news release. The center will stock most common spare parts for rapid, efficient installation and maintenance, according to the release.

Eqraft provides state of the art machinery and software as well as consultancy services. The company designs and builds processing lines and factories for onions and potatoes worldwide, working with North American clients including several based in Washington (Target Ag, Harley Produce, Blue Sky Management and Sunset Produce) as well as onion producers in Oregon, Idaho, California, Utah and New York.

Eqraft, founded in the 1980s, made a name for itself with its closed onion topper, which remains part of its portfolio, according to the company. Weighing and packaging machines were later added to its offerings, including the Egrader, which sorts produce automatically and at high speed by quality, size, weight, shape and color into a dozen or more different boxes.

Eqraft, along with dust extraction expert Modesta and palletizing specialist Symach, form the Onion Tech Alliance.

The company opened a new headquarters earlier this year in the Netherlands.