When Vidrio Fruits completed their first cherry season with a brand-new 48-lane Elifab cherry grading line, it marked a turning point. At 48 lanes, this installation is the largest of its kind in Europe. Built to do one thing above all else: maximize the value of every single cherry.
The scale behind this investment is impressive. Vidrio manages over 1,200 hectares of cherries, producing around 24,000 tons per year, all while maintaining zero product quality claims. Proof that their promise of consistent quality holds true season after season.
The new Elifab grading and packing line brings three innovations together in perfect harmony.
- An automatic bin tipping robot from Palm Systems keeps the flow running at 300 bins per hour.
- Elifab graders, powered by Ellips True-AI, evaluate each cherry with unmatched accuracy, catching even the most subtle defects such as black rot, fresh cracks, and cracks within the stem area.
- And at the end of the process, a fully automated box filling system from Mat Exakta ensures every cherry is packed consistently and efficiently.
The result is a seamless solution where intelligent automation and gentle handling work hand in hand. For Vidrio Fruits, this translates into consistent quality, higher returns, and the confidence to serve even the most demanding global markets.
See the full system in action. Watch the Vidrio Fruits video below
About Vidrio Fruits
Premium orchards under strict standards
Located near Zaragoza in Spain, Vidrio Fruits grows cherries on more than 1,200 hectares, cultivated under Global GAP and Integrated Production standards. A large part of their orchards is protected by anti-rain and anti-hail mesh, securing supply and protecting fruit quality against unpredictable weather. Every cherry is harvested by hand, handled without preservatives or waxes, and cared for by trained operators who work with precision to ensure the highest standards from orchard to packhouse.
Advanced facilities with highest capacity
Their 28,500 m² facilities rank among the most advanced in Europe, with hydrocooling, rapid cooling tunnels, cold rooms, and 84 tracks of latest-generation gauges. Thanks to the new Elifab line and the complementary innovations provided by the Ellips Group, Vidrio Fruits now combines the highest capacity with the ability to handle big volumes while still maintaining gentle handling and consistent quality. Rigorous quality control at every step, together with a culture of respect for nature, defines their identity. Their mission is clear: deliver premium cherries in perfect condition to the world’s most demanding markets.
Benefits of the complete system
1. Elifab machines. Gentle handling with maximum efficiency.
For Vidrio Fruits, gentle handling is essential. The Elifab graders protect fruit quality with the gentlest care. At the same time, they deliver the highest throughput per lane. Together with Ellips AI Grading Technology, every cherry is analysed with outstanding accuracy. Ellips advanced cameras capture up to 30 images of each fruit from multiple angles. This ensures accurate size and color separation while detecting the most challenging defects: including black rot, fresh cracks and stem-end cracks. The system also reliably identifies stems and stem attachment points, allowing fruit to be classified precisely by softness and firmness to meet local, premium, and export demands.
Efficiency that saves labor, space, and costs
With full automation, the line gives Vidrio the ability to sort cherries at exceptional speed while reducing the need for labor. The compact footprint minimizes the investment in packhouse space and construction. A smaller system volume also lowers daily refrigeration needs, cutting both energy use and operational expenses. For Vidrio, this translates into maximum yield, minimal waste, and faster returns on investment, all while safeguarding their reputation for excellence.
2. Ellips True-AI. Intelligent grading that gets smarter every day
At the heart of Vidrio’s line is Ellips True-AI. Intelligent automation that continuously learns and improves. Built on advanced deep learning, it moves closer to 100% detection accuracy with every season. This ensures consistent grading across all batches, even when harvest quality varies. True-AI catches subtle internal and external defects that traditional systems often miss, reducing waste and improving packout.
Simplicity, speed, and consistency
True-AI adapts effortlessly to diverse customer requirements, giving Vidrio the confidence to match every order with the right quality. Complex grading tasks are automated, making the process stress-free for operators. The intuitive interface allows even less-experienced staff to achieve expert-level results. Most importantly, True-AI enables Vidrio to maintain high throughput even when tackling lower-quality batches. This means orders are handled on time without sacrificing accuracy. Delivering consistency, less waste, and better returns.
3. Palm Systems. Seamless infeed for nonstop performance
Efficiency at Vidrio starts the moment cherries arrive at the line. Palm Systems keeps the flow running with four synchronized bin tippers, delivering up to 300 bins per hour in perfect harmony with the Elifab graders. This steady infeed keeps all 48 lanes running at full capacity, avoiding bottlenecks and keeping the rhythm of the operation consistent. By combining robust mechanics with the precision of Ellips AI grading, Vidrio can process large harvest volumes with complete reliability. The result is maximum output, the flexibility to handle big peaks and the confidence that every order goes out on time.
Watch this short Palm Systems video to see an infeed cherry system working in perfect harmony.
4. Mat Exakta. Automation that guarantees a perfect pack of cherries.
For Vidrio Fruits, quality does not stop at grading. Every cherry also needs to be packed with accuracy and care. With Mat Exakta’s automation, weighing, sealing and labeling happen with minimal human intervention. The system switches smoothly between formats like punnets, clamshells and larger buckets, making it easy to serve different market demands. Precise lid placement and correct labeling mean fewer errors and faster turnaround. For Vidrio, this ensures a flexible and efficient process where every pack meets exact specifications and every order leaves the packhouse ready for the world’s most demanding retailers.
A benchmark for worldwide cherry packing
With the complete system in place, Vidrio Fruits combines scale, precision and efficiency in a way that sets a new benchmark for cherry packing. Gentle handling, intelligent grading and seamless automation now work together to deliver consistent quality at the highest capacity. This gives Vidrio the confidence to serve the world’s most demanding markets, protect their reputation for excellence and secure their growth for seasons to come.