[Overseas Introduction Case Study] Spain's Major Fruit Wholesaler "FRUTAS ELOY" Introduces Astra's "FAP-3000" Automatic Pineapple Peeler and Corer! Achieving Both Reduced Pulp Loss and Improved Productivity

Astra Inc. (Headquarters: Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture, Representative Director: Hirotaka Ichijo), a developer and manufacturer of fruit and vegetable processing equipment, announces that its "FAP-3000 (Chosuke)" and "FAP-1001 (Takusuke)" automatic pineapple peelers and corers have been introduced at the processing plant of "FRUTAS ELOY," a major fruit and vegetable wholesaler based in Madrid, Spain.

This introduction has resolved the company's challenges of "variability in yield due to manual labor" and "labor management during peak periods," achieving both minimization of pulp loss and significant improvements in productivity.

At FRUTAS ELOY's factory. Local staff, Spanish distributor Pelafrutas staff, and Astra employees.

Background of Introduction: Challenges of "Yield" and "Labor" at a Facility Processing Over 5 Tons Per Day

FRUTAS ELOY is a wholesale company that supplies fruits and vegetables to hotels, restaurants, and catering services (HORECA) and major food service groups in Spain. In addition to distribution, the company owns a processing plant that handles ready-to-eat cut fruits and vegetables, as well as natural juices. It processes over 5 tons of fruits and vegetables daily, producing approximately 3,000 liters of natural juice.

In the pineapple peeling process, where large quantities are consumed daily, the company faced challenges such as "variability in yield and pulp loss due to manual labor," "difficulty in standardizing processing quality," and "management of labor and personnel during peak production periods." To address these issues, reduce costs, and optimize the production process, the company began considering Astra's automatic processing solutions.

Exterior view of FRUTAS ELOY's factory, which processes over 5 tons of fruits and vegetables daily.

Reasons for Choosing Astra's "FAP-3000" and Deciding Factors for Introduction

Among the many processing equipment manufacturers, Astra was chosen primarily for its "unique peeling technology that minimizes pulp loss and maximizes yield" and its "high innovation and reliability."

Specifically, the following features were highly evaluated:

Overwhelming Yield Performance: Compared to the yield of general cylindrical cutters (approximately 40%), the FAP-3000 boasts approximately 53% after coring, leaving over 10% more edible portion per fruit.

High-Speed Processing and Compact Design: High productivity capable of automatically peeling and coring approximately 450 pineapples per hour, along with a compact size that allows for easy installation even in limited factory space.

Automatic Adjustment Regardless of Size: The convenience of automatically adjusting the peeling thickness and processing pineapples of mixed sizes without the need for sorting.

Effects of Introduction and Future Outlook

With the introduction of the "FAP-3000," FRUTAS ELOY has simultaneously achieved improved manufacturing efficiency, standardized product quality, and reduced raw material waste (food loss). Furthermore, staff who were previously engaged in peeling can now focus on other higher value-added production processes, creating significant benefits in terms of effective utilization of human resources.

Two Astra products are already in operation at FRUTAS ELOY, and the company is fully satisfied with their performance. The company is considering the additional introduction of Astra products in the future to align with business growth and production capacity expansion.

[Customer Comment (FRUTAS ELOY)]

"Thanks to Astra's unique peeling technology, we have been able to minimize pulp loss and maximize yield. Not only are the machine's specifications excellent and its performance as expected, but also thanks to the professional and prompt response from Astra and the local distributor (Pelafrutas), as well as the thorough training, we are confident that our staff can operate it safely and efficiently starting tomorrow. Astra is truly the optimal long-term partner for our business."

Product Overview

1 Pineapple Automatic Peeler and Corer "FAP-3000 (Chosuke)"

An automatic machine ideal for high-volume processing plants, which automates the entire process of peeling, coring, and discharge.

● Processing Capacity: Approx. 450 pineapples/hour

● High Yield: Approx. 53% after coring (precise coring technology that maximizes edible portion)

● Automatic Sorting Mechanism: Separately collects peeled skin, cored pineapple, and core, reducing the burden on subsequent processes.

● Automatic Size Recognition: Optimal peeling of mixed large and small pineapples without sorting.

● Certifications: NSF certified (USA), CE marked product.

Fully automatic from peeling and coring to belt conveyor discharge! Operation of "FAP-3000 (Chosuke)"

Automatic process of peeling, industry's thinnest 30mm coring, and belt conveyor discharge by FAP-3000.

2 Automatic Peeler "FAP-1001 (Takusuke)"

A high-speed automatic peeler for factories that handles over 20 types of produce, including apples, kiwis, citrus fruits, and vegetables. ● Processing Capacity: Approx. 1,200 apples/hour (more than double the speed of manual labor).

● Supports Over 20 Types of Produce: Patented technology allows for clean peeling of irregularly shaped items and thick-skinned citrus like grapefruit.

● Beautiful Finish Preserving Freshness: Creates a smooth surface, preventing discoloration and juice drip.

● Easy to Clean: Made of durable stainless steel, the entire unit can be washed after use.

● Certifications: NSF certified (USA), CE marked product.

Handles over 20 types of fruits and vegetables! Operation of the multi-functional automatic peeler "FAP-1001 (Takusuke)"

Beautiful and high-speed orange peeling by FAP-1001 (Takusuke). Supports multiple types of produce with a beautiful finish that minimizes drip.

Company Information

[Customer Company: FRUTAS ELOY]

Location: Mercamadrid calle uno, 2 28053 Madrid (Spain)

Website: https://frutaseloy.com/

[Manufacturer and Seller: Astra Inc.]

Location: 4-1 Hirata, Iizaka-cho Hirano, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture

Representative: Hirotaka Ichijo, Representative Director

Business Activities: Development, manufacturing, and sales of automatic peelers for fruits and vegetables.

Website: https://e-astra.co.jp/

Astra Inc. Sales Department

TEL: 024-541-2444 Email: info@e-astra.co.jp