Global Ripening Room Leader Interko Excited To Share Latest Advances In-Person at World Food Moscow 2021

The Dutch company is eager to demonstrate to Russian and CIS operators the significant energy efficiency, cost saving and fruit quality benefits of its technology.
 MOERKAPELLE, NETHERLANDS – 15 SEPTEMBER 2021 – Interko, the global leader for the design, manufacture and installation of state-of-the-art fruit ripening rooms, is thrilled to be returning to the trade exhibition trail at World Food Moscow 2021 next week where exhibitors and visitors will meet face-to-face again following the relaxation of many Covid-19 restrictions.
As an exhibitor, Interko is looking forward to meeting personally with current and prospective customers to showcase first-hand the benefits of its latest ripening technology advances for operators across Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS or Russian Commonwealth) where demand is rising for proven technology to ripen exotic fruits.

Chris Maat, Managing Director/Partner at Interko, comments: “Nothing compares to doing business in person, and now that we can meet customers face-to-face again we can’t wait to share and demonstrate our most recent developments at international trade fairs, starting with World Food Moscow 2021.”
Maat continues: “Interko is a trusted brand, and we are committed to innovation. We believe our latest advances will add even more value to our technology for existing and potential customers across Russia and the CIS where we see growing demand for high quality, reliable and efficient fruit ripening systems.”

Interko will exhibit in Pavilion 3, Hall 14, Stand C8035 at World Food Moscow 2021, which returns on 21-24 September at the Crocus Expo in Moscow, Russia. Any operator who wishes to learn more about Interko and its technology is welcome to schedule an appointment to meet the team by emailing info@interko.com.
Ongoing innovation
Interko continues to supply the most advanced ripening technology on the global market ever since the industry’s first modern fruit ripening room was pioneered over 50 years ago by the company, which is located in Moerkapelle, the Netherlands.
Interko’s latest design improvements will enable Russian and CIS retailers, importers, distributors, wholesalers and food processors to add even more value to their tropical and exotic fruit supply thanks to cost reductions, energy savings and a superior understanding of the ripening process, all of which will enhance system performance, fruit quality, and profitability.
Energy efficiency
Interko is globally renowned for its banana ripening rooms, and the company is the world’s longest-serving provider. Additionally, Interko can offer Russian and CIS companies a range of rooms that suit either small or large operators looking to ripen to perfection tropical and exotic fruits, such as: avocados, mangoes and kiwifruit.
Furthermore, each of Interko’s three principal ripening rooms – Ultimo, Axesso and Optimo – come fitted as standard with Interko’s revolutionary reversible REVERSO fans, which dramatically cut energy usage, thereby presenting considerable cost savings on electricity.

Maat explains the logic behind the technology: “If your ripening room is fitted with inefficient fans, you are heating and cooling the room at the same time which dehydrates the fruit more, and impacts on fruit quality. Interko designs its REVERSO fans to run at 100 watts per pallet at full airflow. Also, by using a control system, you can reduce that energy consumption by 30%, which brings your energy usage down to 70 watts per pallet. In extreme cases, our customers have reduced their energy usage by 50%, which is as low as 50 watts per pallet.”
Maat continues: “By comparison, an old-fashioned fan that cannot be speed controlled will run at well over 150 watts per pallet. With an Interko REVERSO fan you can cut your energy usage by more than half, which will make a significant saving on your electricity bill, especially if you are running the fan for 365 days a year. Our clever solutions give you very low daily running costs!”

Superior understanding
By installing modern ripening rooms, Russian and CIS operators will also improve their understanding of the ripening process, and how to manage the fruit that they are ripening.

Maat explains: “Education truly is the gateway to adding even more value. With older ripening systems, the operator lacks adequate temperature or ethylene control, which can make you doubt your understanding and the ripening process. Once you have installed a modern ripening room and you have proper control and stability within the room, the equipment performs as you would expect. This enables you to focus on truly understanding the fruit’s ripening process. Then, you can start to investigate how to handle the fruit better to deliver superior quality.”

Importantly, Interko offers a bespoke service whereby its ripening rooms are tailor made to suit the customer’s unique location, size, set-up, and, of course, the fruits to be ripened. With this in mind, Interko recommends involving all operating personnel in the design stage to guarantee the construction of a system that is aligned perfectly to both the needs of the business and the final customer.

Anna Zegveld, Interko’s Senior Business Development Manager, explains: “Before you make the decision to invest in a ripening room, it’s very important to realise who is working with the equipment, how the machinery will be used within your conditions, and what targets your operating personnel have.”

Zegveld continues: “If we bring the end user into the conversation, we can tailor our systems to your unique set-up and ensure that you get the very best out of our technology. It makes more sense to achieve the ideal set-up and reap all of the operational advantages right from the start, rather than have to reinvest later down the line.”

Local support
By working with Interko, Russian and CIS companies also benefit from the support of local installation partners, as well as Interko’s multi-lingual commercial and engineering team. Senior Business Development Manager Anna Zegveld speaks Russian.
Further guidance and assistance is available in real-time via the revamped Interko website, which is available in multiple languages, including Russian. There, customers can access the new Interko Online Customer Portal, which includes a Live Chat feature.

Zegveld points out: “Interko is here to support you in your native language to address and solve any concerns. We pride ourselves on customer satisfaction, and we have a dedicated after-sales department which quickly and effectively manages our customer service.”

All of Interko’s ripening equipment is manufactured in the Netherlands.
ABOUT INTERKO
Interko is the global leader for the design, manufacture and installation of cost-effective, high-quality and low-maintenance ripening rooms for fresh fruit, and cooling systems for the horticulture sector. Founded over 50 years ago in the Netherlands, Interko develops precise, advanced and energy-efficient systems that are built to last. Since its creation, Interko has installed over 7,000 ripening rooms for bananas, avocados, mangoes, papayas and tomatoes – the earliest of which are still in operation and performing well today. Every year Interko installs around 200 ripening rooms.
For more information, visit: www.interko.com