【Customer Interview】

Q. Can you tell us a little about your factory and the products you produce? (e.g., daily production volume, current level of automation)
A. We are a fruit and vegetable distribution company specializing in supplying the HoReCa sector (hotels, restaurants, catering companies, and large foodservice groups). In addition to distribution, we operate a processing facility dedicated to ready-to-eat fruit and vegetable products, producing both fresh-cut fruits and vegetables as well as natural fruit juices. Our main distribution area is Madrid and its surrounding regions, although we also provide nationwide service throughout Spain. We handle approximately 1,200 orders per day, including more than 200 orders delivered to locations outside the Madrid area. In our processing facility, we transform over 5 tonnes of fruits and vegetables daily into a variety of cuts and formats, and we produce nearly 3,000 litres of natural juices in different flavours every day.

Q. What specific challenges or bottlenecks did you face in your pineapple peeling process before implementing the FAP-3000?
A. Before implementing the FAP-3000, our main challenges were maintaining consistent peeling quality, optimizing yield, and managing labour requirements during peak production periods. Manual processes created variability in yield and limited our ability to maximize productivity efficiently.

Q. What made you consider Astra over other equipment suppliers in the market?
A. We were impressed by Astra’s reputation for innovation, reliability, and specialization in fruit processing solutions. Achieving the highest possible peeling yield was particularly important to us, and thanks to Astra’s unique peeling technology, we were able to maximize product recovery. The machine specifications, expected performance, and the professionalism of the team gave us confidence that Astra would be the right long-term partner for our business.

Q. What specific features or capabilities of the FAP-3000 led you to purchase it? (e.g., peeling quality, yield, speed, or compact design)
A. Several factors influenced our decision, including the machine’s high peeling precision, its potential to improve raw material yield, its production speed, and its user-friendly design. We also appreciated its compact footprint and its focus on minimizing product loss while maintaining excellent fruit quality.

Q. What improvements do you mainly expect the FAP-3000 to bring to your daily operations? (e.g., greater efficiency, less waste, labour cost savings)
A. We expect the FAP-3000 to deliver greater operational efficiency, more consistent product quality, reduced raw material waste, and improved productivity. We also anticipate better utilization of our human resources, allowing our team to focus on higher value-added activities within the production process.

Q. How has your experience been with Astra and our local distributor throughout the sales and communication process?
A. Our experience has been very positive. Communication has been clear, responsive, and professional throughout the entire process. Both Astra and the local distributor demonstrated a strong commitment to understanding our needs and providing the necessary support at every stage.

Q. How was today’s installation and training session? Do you feel confident that your staff can operate the machine safely and efficiently?
A. It was a pleasure to welcome the team to our facility for the installation and commissioning of the machine. The session was very well organized and helped us gain a thorough understanding of the equipment’s operation. Throughout the process, the team provided close and professional support, offering clear explanations and practical guidance on both operational and safety aspects. They remained on-site until the machine was running perfectly and all our questions had been fully addressed. As a result, we are completely confident that our staff will be able to operate the FAP-3000 safely and efficiently from now on.

Q. At this point, how satisfied are you with your decision to choose Astra?
A. At this stage, we are very satisfied with our decision. The professionalism of the team, the quality of the equipment we have acquired, and the support provided throughout the project have all met our expectations.

Q. If the machine performs as expected, would you recommend Astra to other processing facilities? If so, what would be the main reason?
A. Absolutely. If the machine delivers the expected results, we would have no hesitation in recommending Astra. The main reasons would be the combination of equipment performance, technical expertise, and outstanding customer service.

Q. Looking ahead, do you have plans to expand your use of Astra machines or add more units as your business grows?
A. Yes, we continuously evaluate opportunities to improve and expand our production capabilities. If the FAP-3000 performs as expected and contributes to our growth objectives, we would certainly consider adding more Astra equipment to our operations in the future. In fact, we already operate two Astra machines with which we are fully satisfied.