REMO invests and adapts to climate change

Potatoes remain an important part of our diet. REMO, a family-owned firm from Verrebroek, specialises in making fresh cut chips and potato products for the hospitality industry and institutional kitchens. Almost 40 years after its foundation, the company is investing heavily in innovation, automation and sustainability. ‘Climate change obviously affects the supply of our raw material, but we have a resolute belief in the future,’ says CEO Wim Lannoey.

REMO's history goes back to the 1980s, when Jozef Van Remoortel and Frieda Apers were forced to give up part of their farm for the development of the Port of Antwerp. Rather than continue farming elsewhere, they opted to change course, and in 1989, they began processing potatoes into fresh cut chips. It proved to be a successful switch, as REMO grew to become the market leader in fresh potato products for snack bars, hospitality, institutional kitchens and industrial meal suppliers.

Since then, the second generation has taken the helm: daughters An and Els Van Remoortel and son-in-law Wim Lannoey as CEO. ‘Flanders is famous for frozen chips. We operate in a different segment, however: fresh cut chips, sliced or diced potatoes, baby potatoes and so on, which we supply chilled at 2-4 degrees. As well as raw products, we also offer blanched or pasteurised varieties, which keep for longer and are quicker to prepare, without any loss of flavour,’ explains Lannoey.

To spread the risk, REMO works with farmers to select the right potato varieties according to the soil. ‘Our growing areas are within a 120-kilometre radius of the business. Going further afield doesn't make much sense, because the transport costs get too high and it's not really sustainable either,’ says Lannoey. The company itself has been working for years to make all its processes more sustainable: waste is fermented to convert it into energy, water use is tightly controlled and both rainwater and process water are reused.

The company also stands out for its continuing innovation. Efficient machinery managed by trained operators helps to compensate for natural variations in the raw ingredients. At this very moment, a new production unit for pasteurised potato products is taking shape at Verrebroek. ‘It's a building specially designed for the production line, which we're automating as much as possible. This will enable us to operate more efficiently and increase productivity while making sure quality remains guaranteed.’

The family firm doesn't make such investments lightly. ‘We can't bear the cost of major investments on our own. We need a bank that will listen and support us as we grow,’ says Wim Lannoey. ‘Luckily, KBC Commercial Banking has been our main bank since our earliest years. They've given us support and guidance at various crucial moments. Our relationship manager also put us in touch with Encon for specialist advice, so now we're thinking about solar panels and battery storage.’

Technology is gradually becoming more important at REMO, but according to the CEO, that doesn't mean that staff will be surplus to requirements. ‘The jobs our people have to do will change. We’re training them and helping them reach a higher level, so that they can grow along with the business.’

That fits in with the family-run nature of the firm. In a region with high employment and a lot of competition for talent, the company tries hard to keep staff loyal, including with a cafeteria plan. ‘As a family firm, we will keep investing, and that includes investing in our staff. We have an unshakeable belief in the future, and we can only build it together with our employees. Our ambition is to make the firm ready for the next generation,’ concludes Lannoey.