'We remain committed to process and quality improvement'

2023… A year focused on growth and launching new solutions. It was also the year in which we added a new European country to our area of operations: Poland. CEO Arend Kuperus looks back on the highlights of the past year and talks about his plans for 2024.

Over the past year, JOZ has made great efforts in terms of growth. Growth in the number of people, growth in the further professionalisation of processes and growth in the area of product quality. ‘The focus has been and will next year continue to be on process and quality improvement,’ says Arend. ‘This began last year with the recruitment of new people in various departments, so that we would have more capacity and professionalism to make improvements. We welcomed a lot of new colleagues. This allows us to be even more alert to signals from the market and make improvements to our solutions.’

Responding to market demand

A visible example of such an improvement is JOZ’s latest manure robot, the Nano. ‘We presented this robot in November at the Rundvee & Mechanisatie Vakdagen event in Gorinchem. It is a manure robot that is even more agile and compact than the other manure robots, a wish from the market to which we responded.’

We have also applied for a patent for this solution, specifically for the self-supporting frame. ‘The Nano stores liquids in the in-built reservoir. This allows the manure robot to remain compact. A solution of which we are very proud,’ Kuperus explains. ‘The first requests for quotes have already come in. We are now planning to deliver the first Nanos in the Netherlands by the end of March. After that, we will produce it for all other countries as well.’

Management changes

JOZ’s organisational structure has also been professionalised and optimisations are taking place within all departments and at different levels. ‘In our warranty department, for example, we have strengthened our team and brought in more expertise,’ Arend explains. ‘This will allow us to repair and prevent malfunctions faster. Our customers will notice that and it will also not go unnoticed by our dealers.’

Furthermore, changes have taken place within management. ‘Wijnand Kuiper has been our new CFO since July. And Itay Dagan recently became our new Director of Engineering, responsible for process improvement. We have great challenges on which they will also focus in the coming year.’

The environment remains an important issue

For the coming year – certainly for the Dutch market – the environment is an important theme. JOZ continues to respond to the demand for innovations to reduce nitrogen. ‘Several businesses are currently testing our Clean Climate Lab, a measurement station that allows you to demonstrate your individual nitrogen emissions. Following the results from the knowledge centre, we are officially bringing it to market. Furthermore, we are also working on a solution to reduce methane. And we will personally visit all businesses that request our nitrogen cracker, the Gazoo, with a nice gift.’

Arend hopes that with the arrival of the new government, there will be more clarity on the course and measures surrounding nitrogen problems. ‘I sincerely hope that the new government will encourage innovations. For now, we’ll just have to wait and see. What will the politicians do? In any case, we are not sitting still; we are continuing to innovate. Just as we are continuing to fight for Biogrow being designated as artificial fertiliser. No decision has yet been made on that, but we’ll never give up.’

Expanding into South Korea

Arend is also looking forward to expanding into South Korea. ‘In addition to expanding into Poland this year, we also want to establish a dealer network in South Korea next year. We are currently exploring this. There is a great need for robotisation there. With our wonderful feed pusher robot, manure robots and milking robot M²erlinfrom Fullwood JOZ we definitely see opportunities there. I’m looking forward to it!’