Case Study: Transforming Citrus Operations with Adagin Technologies’ Bin Tracking Module
Client: Gubitz Boerdery
The Challenge
Gubitz Boerdery, a leading citrus operation, faced a persistent issue: losing track of their 2,300 circulating bins. This inefficiency not only affected their operational accuracy but also strained communication and administrative workflows. Recognizing the need for a robust solution, owner Nikolaas Gubitz turned to Adagin Technologies to implement a system capable of achieving three critical outcomes:
- Accurate Tracking of Harvested Bins per Contracting Team
- Automated Yield Calculation per Orchard
- Real-Time Bin Location Visibility Across the Farm
The Solution
Adagin Technologies collaborated closely with Gubitz Boerdery to design and deploy a precision bin tracking system tailored to their unique needs. The solution integrated:
- Permanent RFID and QR Tags: Affixed on both sides of every citrus bin, ensuring that the bins could be read on trucks, regardless which way it is loaded
- QR Readers in Orchards: Enabled 1:1 scan ratios, eliminating cross-reads between bins in close proximity and ensuring that each bin has a unique GPS location
- Handheld RFID Devices: Optimized for bulk scanning in areas like degreening rooms and during truck loading, enhancing efficiency.
This dual-technology approach ensured seamless bin tracking from orchard to packhouse.
The Results
The outcomes were transformative:
- Administrative Efficiency: Carel Buitendag, Packhouse Manager, reported saving three days of administrative work per month by eliminating manual bin reconciliation between harvested and received bins.
- Enhanced Communication: The system reduced bin logistics-related communication by 90%, with all real-time data consolidated on a single dashboard, minimizing miscommunication and freeing up senior management time.
- Operational Transparency: For the first time, Gubitz Boerdery could accurately link real packhouse weights back to specific orchards, providing clear insights into yield performance.
A Case in Point: Saving Costs Through Real-Time Insights
A standout example of the system’s value occurred during an unexpected rain event. While the packhouse team had scheduled 200 laborers for packing the next day, the dashboard revealed that no fruit had been harvested due to the rain—a fact the field team assumed was known. This timely insight saved an entire day’s wages for 200 workers, showcasing the system’s power to prevent costly miscommunications.
Key Benefits Achieved
- Streamlined Planning: Improved forecasting and resource allocation based on real-time bin data.
- Dispute Reduction: Eliminated disagreements with contractors over bin counts thanks to consistent, verifiable tracking.
- Operational Ease: Simplified workflows, reducing administrative burdens and enhancing decision-making.
When asked whether the system delivered the required results, they stated that ‘it’s hard to quantify every benefit, but this system makes life easier, planning more accurate, and communication seamless.’ It is the future of bin harvesting. 2025 Features include orchard yield maps which will add even more value to our existing and new customers.
