Dutch agri and extraction expert point of reference for North American clients: ‘Modesta goes the extra mile’

 

Dutch family-business and extraction specialist Modesta has landed in the USA with technical sales advisor Sjoerd van Diepen. After over a decade of experience at onion processing plants, Dutch-born Sjoerd joined Modesta a few years ago. His extensive knowledge of the industry, combined with an expertise in dust extraction, makes him a trustworthy partner for agri businesses looking for a reliable dust extraction solution.

No need to explain the needs and challenges of today’s agri businesses to Sjoerd van Diepen: he’s seen it all throughout the years and understands the industry through and through. For over ten years, he worked at three different onion processing companies in the Netherlands. That’s why he understands the importance of the right dust extraction solution like no other. ‘A cleaner working environment not only leads to less wear and tear, and therefore less maintenance on moving machine parts, but also helps software do its job properly, since sensors remain dust free,’ he explains. With increasing parts of the production process being automized, Sjoerd saw extraction become increasingly relevant for agri factories: ‘Advanced sorting and packaging lines can’t function properly when onion sheets, dust, and other particles fly around,’ explains Sjoerd. Finally, working in a less dirty and dusty environment is obviously much more pleasant. 

Sjoerd van Diepen, technical sales advisor for Dutch extraction specialist Modesta

The extra mile
Sjoerd first saw Modesta’s installations at work during his former job at a Dutch onion processing company, where he first collaborated with Modesta and noticed the family business’s way of working. Their holistic approach appealed to him. ‘Modesta doesn’t just install an extraction unit, but they go the extra mile and look at the total picture of a production line. What is the smartest and most efficient set-up? The answer is often much broader than just selling a filter installation,’ Sjoerd explains. That’s why for the past four years, he’s been technical sales advisor at Modesta and became the point of reference for Modesta’s clients in the agri industry. ‘Thinking about the total approach in advance is an important part of Modesta’s portfolio – and of my job. Waste handling, dust extraction, an active cleaning strategy and consultancy together ensure a clean, safe and healthy working environment and a production line that works optimally,’ he sums up his role in a nutshell.

Between the Netherlands and North America
Sjoerd often travels to the US. In 2023, he even lived in in Washington’s Tri-Cities area with his wife and their 6-year-old twins for a couple of months. This year, he’ll travel to the US again to meet with new and existing clients and keep an eye on various Modesta projects that are being installed. Modesta now has several clients in the area, including Target Ag and Big O Farms. ‘I look forward to meeting onion growers and packers of all shapes and sizes in North America,’ he said. Sjoerd emphasizes that Modesta does not only serve the larger projects: ‘Our range of dust extraction filters starts at 5 100 m3/hour (3 000 cfm) so feel free to reach out!’

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