A strong legacy in animal feed
AgruniekRijnvallei was formed through a merger of multiple cooperatives and has grown into a key player in the feed industry. The Barneveld facility leads the way with innovative technologies, such as the use of a roller mill that uniformly grinds raw materials, preserving the quality of the feed. “I often tell my colleagues that we produce feed for top athletes. Every particle has to be just right,” says Bert Gardenbroek, Plant Manager at Barneveld. “This technology ensures that ingredients are ground as evenly as possible, keeping the feed homogeneous, which is crucial for poultry health.”
“I often tell my colleagues that we produce feed for top athletes. Every particle has to be just right.”
Bert Gardenbroek, Plant Manager, AgruniekRijnvallei Barneveld
Increased capacity and superior quality
When their old ribbon mixer needed replacing, AgruniekRijnvallei saw an opportunity to boost both capacity and product quality. “The structure of poultry feed is vital to the animals. If the structure isn’t right, the feed isn’t absorbed as well, which directly impacts the chickens’ health. The new mixer from Dinnissen practically eliminates product damage,” Bert explains. “The mixer must handle the feed gently, and in this regard, it’s a significant upgrade from our previous equipment. From a technical perspective, it’s a top-tier, robust machine.”
Jurre adds: “We’ve integrated ten spray nozzles into this new mixer, allowing us to apply oils and fats much more quickly. We’re now mixing 4,000-kilogram batches in about four minutes, achieving a perfectly homogeneous mix without any product damage.” Bert continues, “But we’re not stopping here. We keep raising the bar, continually fine-tuning and optimizing to further enhance our production efficiency and deliver even better results to our customers.”
“The mixer must handle the feed gently, and in this regard, it’s a significant upgrade from our previous equipment. From a technical perspective, it’s a top-tier, robust machine.”
Bert Gardenbroek, Plant Manager, AgruniekRijnvallei Barneveld
Reliability and process optimization
In addition to improved capacity and quality, reliability was a critical factor in selecting Dinnissen. “We produce strictly to order, which means we only start production when a specific order comes in. This leaves no room for stockpiling, so if the mixer fails, we can’t deliver feed,” says Bert. “The mixer not only has to be efficient but also 100% reliable.”
“We must ensure, at all costs, that feed reaches our customers. You have to be innovative because, at the end of the day, the animals need to be fed,” adds Jurre Mallee, Assistant Plant Manager.
“We must ensure, at all costs, that feed reaches our customers. You have to be innovative because, at the end of the day, the animals need to be fed.”
Jurre Mallee, Assistant Plant Manager, AgruniekRijnvallei Barneveld
Seamless implementation and partnership
AgruniekRijnvallei sought a solution that would increase production capacity and optimize their processes. The collaboration with Dinnissen went smoothly. “Dinnissen is always thinking ahead and continues to innovate,” says Jurre. Robert Michels adds: “Our engineer made sure the mixer was seamlessly integrated into the organic production line by providing all the necessary details.”
The installation of the new mixer, which resulted in a 20% capacity increase, was meticulously planned. “We didn’t want to risk weeks of downtime during the installation, so we built a separate space for the new mixer,” Bert explains. “We stopped production on a Friday afternoon, and by that same evening, everything was operational again. Instead of weeks of downtime, we had just a few hours of disruption.” In addition, other bottlenecks in production were addressed, leading to significant improvements. Jurre adds: “When we decided to replace the mixer, we also optimized the entire process, before, during, and after mixing. As a result, our overall production capacity has actually doubled.”
Both parties look back on a successful collaboration. “Dinnissen provided excellent support throughout the installation and remains involved with regular check-ups and advice,” says Bert. “This project provides the flexibility we need to continue growing.”
