Trendgineering
137,000 avocado crates per month
| AnaLaura Vera, Petra Rehmet
Production increased by more than 200 percent
Almost everyone knows them from the supermarket, the tasty Hass avocados from Mexiko. They are increasingly packed for export in vegetable crates from the company Del Llano Agrocomercializadora in Tacambaro, Mexico. With the aid of an MX 1000 from KraussMaffei, production was recently increased by 200 percent.
The strategy of the young company in the Mexican state of Michoacan is aimed at growth. And the strategy is a success. Founded in 2015, thanks to high productivity and good product quality, the company has achieved an excellent reputation and is meanwhile considered to be the leading manufacturer in the Mexican packaging industry. Another milestone was reached in 2020. Since the commissioning of a fully hydraulic MX 1000-12000 from KraussMaffei (clamping force 10,000 kN), within one year production has increased by over 200 per cent. Today, the production of avocado crates has reached the proud number of 137,000 per month.
Teamwork is the key to success
The new MX 1000 at Del Llano Agromercializadora
In the interview with ahead, Tirso Garcia, the founder and owner of Del Llano Agrocomercializadora, reports on the motivation to enter the plastics business, as well as the trends and strategies for the future.
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How did the idea originate five years ago to create Del Llano Agrocomercializadora, S.A. de C.V.?
Tirso García
Firstly, there was a lack of crates for packaging Hass avocados, and, secondly, we were worried about the environment. In the region of Michoacan, there is a large number of pine trees. These pines are necessary for the manufacture of wooden crates, so they have to be chopped down for production. These reasons convinced us to take this step.
From Mexico into the world
Plastic crates for Hass avocados
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What characterizes your company today?
Tirso García
In any case, the quality of the avocado sales, as well as the product quality in the manufacture of plastic creates on KraussMaffei machines.
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Why do you rely on KraussMaffei technology for your production?
Tirso García
To be honest, it was actually a coincidence, or let's call it destiny. Of course, the German machines and systems are the best, and the label “Made in Germany” is proof of excellence. On my visit to the Expo Plásticos trade show in Guadalajara, I was able to see Japanese machines in operation. However, my attention was immediately drawn to the injection molding machine of the company KraussMaffei.
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What experience have you had so far with your injection molding machines from KraussMaffei?
Tirso García
To start with, there are a few details that you notice. But within three years, you familiarize yourself with the machine, you gain excellent knowledge of the machine technology, and you are ultimately very satisfied.
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What do you like best about your company?
Tirso García
What I like is that we produce plastic creates for Hass avocados and at the same time we can protect the environment.
“With the plastic crates for Hass avocados, we are making a contribution to environmental protection in the region. Previously, large parts of the pine tree forests were chopped down to make wooden crates.”Tirso García, founder and owner of Del Llano Agrocomercializadora
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What are your next steps?
Tirso García
We would like to develop further markets in other Mexican states where there is a need for plastic containers.
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Where do you see your company in the next ten years?
Tirso García
Hopefully much bigger, and the number 1 in the packaging sector.
Production 24/7
With the new MX 1000, the production was increased by more than 200 percent.