How family values built a global vision tech leader

For over 35 years, Ellips has grown from a small start-up to a global leader in fruit and vegetable grading technology. At the heart of that journey is founder and CEO Erwin Bakker—a man driven not just by innovation, but by a desire to help growers and packers improve their operations in practical, meaningful ways.

Today, the next generation of the Bakker family is continuing that mission with the same dedication and values.

From university project to global impact

The origins of Ellips trace back to Erwin Bakker’s time as a student, when a university project sparked a bigger mission: to improve how fruits and vegetables are graded. Having once stood in a packing hall himself, sorting pears by hand, he saw firsthand how manual grading processes could be improved. Inspired by the potential of vision technology, he set out to create a smarter, more efficient solution for growers and packers.

Ellips began in modest surroundings—a container on the university campus—where Erwin teamed up with a few fellow students. Some of them are still part of the Ellips team today, a reflection of the strong relationships and shared values that have shaped the company from the very beginning.

Building a global presence, step by step

Over the decades, Ellips has installed more than 3,000 grading systems across the globe. To meet growing demand, Erwin developed an international sales and support network—ensuring that Ellips’ advanced solutions are always paired with local expertise and hands-on service.

Erwin never stayed confined to the office. In the early years, he filled multiple roles—flying around the world to support customers as a developer, sales rep, support engineer, and CEO all in one. He enjoyed showing clients how the technology worked, even logging into systems remotely to walk them through their own grading results in real time. That personal, passionate approach has helped establish long-term trust and success with Ellips’ customers.

Elisam: born from challenge, built on trust (2010)

One of Ellips’ most important partnerships came from an unexpected challenge. In 2010, Sammo—one of Ellips’ biggest clients in Italy—went bankrupt. Rather than walk away, Erwin approached 15 of Sammo’s most passionate employees and asked them to start fresh—with his support. He gave them the trust and freedom to shape their own identity, and Elisam was born. Today, Elisam builds some of the most advanced grading and packing machines in the world.

Elifab: innovation for a new market (2016)

In 2016, Erwin joined forces with Fabricio, a designer who already worked in the fruit sorting industry. They saw an opportunity to serve the small soft fruit market with specialized machines. From that partnership, Elifab emerged, with a focus on delivering tailored solutions for delicate produce. 

A team that grows together - stays together

Many of the people who helped build Ellips in the early days are still part of the team today. Together, they’ve grown with the technology, adapting from classic vision systems to today’s AI-powered platforms. That continuity has been crucial in maintaining deep expertise and evolving Ellips’ solutions to meet the needs of modern growers.

The next generation at the helm

Today, Erwin’s children—Mitchel, Levi, and Jody—are actively shaping the future of Ellips. Each brings their own skills and personality to the company while staying true to the family’s values of trust, hard work, and dedication to customers.

Mitchel Bakker

Levi Bakker

Levi working with both Sales and Service & Support teams, with a strong focus on building and maintaining long-term customer relationships. He regularly gives live demonstrations at Ellips’ headquarters and travels around the world to support customers in person. Whether it’s showing visitors the company’s latest innovations or helping customers understand how Ellips can improve their operations.

Jody Bakker

As UI/UX Designer, Jody makes sure that even the most advanced technology is accessible and intuitive for daily use. She plays a key role in the design of Ellips’ TrueSort software and contributes to the company’s marketing efforts—developing the website, videos, and content that help customers understand Ellips’ solutions and make informed decisions.

And of course, a special mention goes to Maud Bakker, Erwin’s wife, who has long been a quiet but essential presence behind the scenes—helping with events, hosting customers, and making sure the family spirit of Ellips is always felt.

Supporting growers and packers like family

Working with Ellips means more than buying a machine. It means partnering with a company that understands the real challenges of running a (family) business—and the importance of building something that lasts.

"Our cooperation with the Ellips team feels like an addition to our family. I feel a personal sense of loyalty to you.”

Wylie Thulen – Pioneer Potatoes

"Ellips has always been striving to be at the forefront of technology and we want our business to be partnered with people who strive to do the same."

Matthew Griggs - Lucaston Park Orchards

"I think that’s the thing we like about Ellips, they are open to change and continuous improvements. The reality is, if we are not getting better in what we do every day, we are going backwards. We are looking for partners with the same attitude."

Howard Hansen – Hansen Orchards

Looking ahead - a shared future of innovation and trust

As Ellips continues to innovate, the foundation remains unchanged: a belief in strong relationships, practical solutions, and helping customers succeed—today and for generations to come.

Looking for a technology partner who shares your values?

Join the Ellips family, and discover how smarter technology—rooted in trust—can transform your business.