Heiploeg has a hypermodern business in Zoutkamp that is by far the largest ‘shrimp factory’ of Europe with its 160 metres in length and a surface area that measures 26,200 squared metres. The factory has been built on 3600 piles and houses a total of 19 kilometres of pipework and 39 kilometres of electricity cables. Heiploeg has its own current generator (total energy) with which a large part of the residual heat can be usefully used. This residual heat is supplemented by a steam system that can generate 12 tons of steam per hour for the various thawing, cooking and blanching processes.
Heiploeg has its own wastewater purification plant that can process a waste load equivalent to that produced by approximately 40,000 residents. A total of seven refrigeration compressors with a total power of more than 1500 kW provide the refrigeration for the whole building. The refrigeration for our own freezing warehouse at the back of the building is also provided through these compressors where more than 6000 pallets with frozen shrimp are kept at -25˚C. The factory became operational in 1999 and more than 250 employees work here in one or more shifts. The plant was, of course, completely designed for the specific processes that take place at our factory.
The factory has a number of striking features. Different hygiene classifications have, for example, been identified at the plant. To ensure that ready-made products are not contaminated, employees who work with raw products have different changing rooms and corridors than employees who work with cooked products.
It is also striking that the building is equipped with a first floor. Although it is not usual in the food processing business, we consciously choose to implement a part of the production process on the first floor. Shrimp must be cooked and preserved on the first floor in order to guarantee quality when packaging. The use of elevating webs for the packaging process can thus be avoided.
In conclusion, the factory is characterised by its design through its special appearance which again aptly underlines the character of our company. We like to describe it as being a ‘well-considered modern’ plant.
