Christmas outing for employees
Christmas excursition to the Potatoflour factory in Karup
Grimme Skandinaviens annual Christmas outing for the employees was this year a trip to Karup Potatoflour factory. On Thursday the 8th. of December we met, according to tradition, for breakfast at Grimme Skandinavien in Rødkærsbro and then drove to Karup.
We were welcomed by Director Vagn Nielsen, and the following members of the board: Kristian Møller Sørensen, David Straadt Ole Søndergaard Madsen & Esben Sangild, who showed up to help during our visit. First we had a very interesting and thorough review of the history behind the factory. How the first factories started before the year 1900 and the story up to today. Back in 1933 the Danish state gave appropriations to seven Potato flour factories. And how the factories later joined in making a joint sales company, KMC
(Kartoffelmelcentralen).
Today, KMC cooperates at three factories in Jutland:
Andels Kartoffelmelsfabrikken Midtjylland in Brande
Karup Kartoffelmelfabrik in Karup
Andels Kartoffelmelsfabrikken in Toftlund
Karup Potato flour factory each year turns approx. 270,000 tons of potatoes into approx. 60,000 tons of white potato flour (and many other interesting products). The entire production is produced in the period from August to January (called the campaign), where the almost 500 members supply their potatoes to the factory. The potato flour is stored in three large silos, ready to be delivered to customers throughout the year.
Byproducts:
Protamylasse is the potato fruit water with 3% dry matter, which is concentrated 14-15 times. After the concentration the protamylassen is 40% solid, yet remains in a liquid form, suitable for pumping up.
Pulp is a soft crushed mass, which is left after the juice is squeezed out of the organic material.
After the introduction and information of the factory, we were divided into two groups and then went on a guided tour around the factory. We saw how the potatoes are delivered, weighed in and washed. Samples are carefully examined and tested. Finally they are stored in the buffer storage and processed in production.
After the tour we had the opportunity to ask questions. Quite a lot of good relevant questions were asked – and a lot of good answers given. A good, constructive debate on contemporary and especially on the future requirements and challenges for machinery and cultivation of Danish potatoes.
