The iconic Hoekstra brand’s polished table grape packing operations have been benefiting from the ViTrax system since 2016. And according to Hoekstra logistics manager Janine Lamprecht, they couldn’t be happier.

“It does everything we need to simplify the intake process,” she said. “What I find particularly useful is that on ViTrax Central I can view what’s going on in the packhouse every 15 minutes, checking that produce is being packed according to the GTIN codes.”

When ViTrax was implemented at the Hoekstra packhouses in 2016, five packhouses came on board. The following year, the system went live at another seven packhouses and last year the group’s new farm joined the ViTrax family.

The Hoekstra Fruit Farms group owns 12 farms in Noord Agter-Paarl, while the main Nancy Farm is situated on Paarl’s southern side. A variety of white, red and black seedless, plus seeded grapes are grown on roughly 300 hectares and exported to a select group of speciality wholesale and retail customers around the world.

At a sprightly 88, founder Aat Hoekstra is still firmly entrenched in the business. Arriving in South Africa from Holland in 1950, he was able to adapt his European skills to South African conditions under the mentorship of Jan Kirsten, one of the most successful table grape growers in the Paarl area.

“The growing success of this legendary business speaks for itself and FarSoft is delighted to be part of its journey,” said FarSoft MD Freddie Roux.

CAPTION: Hoekstra project manager Etienne Jordaan, MD Herman Louw, FarSoft MD Freddie Roux, Hoekstra logistics manager Janine Lamprecht and FarSoft director Gerhard Nel.