Proactive maintenance keeps potato processor Aviko Rixona running 24/7

For companies with continuous production processes, every hour of downtime matters. When processing hundreds of thousands of tonnes of potatoes every year, reliable equipment and fast service are essential to keep production running efficiently. That is why one of Smicon's long-term customers combines two SMIMO15 machines with a proactive service contract, ensuring maximum uptime and peace of mind.

The challenge

The customer produces potato granules and potato flakes. During this process, large volumes of potato peels are generated as a residual stream. Rather than becoming waste, these peels are further processed by Duynie and other partners, making reliable handling of this organic stream an important part of the overall production process. To prepare the potato peels for further processing, the material passes through a ribbon mixer that merges multiple streams together, followed by two Smicon SMIMO15 grinders.

The SMIMO15 is a robust grinder designed to reduce organic residual streams to a uniform particle size, making it easier to pump, mix and further process. For applications such as potato peels, fruit and vegetable waste, production rejects and other organic by-products, the machine creates a consistent output that can be fed into downstream processes such as anaerobic digestion, composting or animal feed production.
 

Investing in continuity

The first SMIMO15 has been operating successfully for over 15 years at the facility in Oostrum. A few years ago, a second machine was added to the production line.

The investment was not only made to increase capacity but also to improve operational reliability. With two machines available, production can continue even when one machine undergoes maintenance. This significantly reduces the risk of production interruptions and allows maintenance to be planned without affecting daily operations.

Reactive maintenance resulted in unwanted downtime. That’s why Aviko Rixona implemented a Smicon service contract that includes preventive maintenance at fixed intervals. As the machines processed larger quantities of material under continuous operating conditions, the maintenance interval was shortened.

Rather than waiting for unexpected failures, regular preventive maintenance allows components to be inspected and replaced before they affect production. By increasing the maintenance frequency, both machines continue to perform reliably while the risk of unexpected downtime is significantly reduced. Since implementing the service agreement, maintenance costs (including preventive maintenance) are 25% lower per machine than before, and downtime has been reduced by 80%, while the installation benefits from scheduled maintenance and significantly lower risk of production downtime.
 

Fast support when it matters most 

Besides preventive maintenance, the customer values the responsiveness and flexibility of Smicon's service department.

"If there is a malfunction, Smicon responds almost immediately. The maintenance planning is flexible and the communication with the service team is very pleasant. Their proactive approach has greatly improved our process," says Maintenance Planner Ruud Valize.

For production facilities operating around the clock, quick technical support is essential. Knowing that experienced service engineers are available when needed provides confidence that production can continue with minimal disruption.
 

Service as a long-term partnership

At Smicon, service is about much more than solving breakdowns. By combining scheduled inspections, preventive maintenance, and technical support, we help customers maximise the availability and lifetime of their installations.

Aviko Rixona demonstrates how investing in both reliable machinery and proactive maintenance create long-term operational benefits. With two SMIMO15 grinders and a tailored service agreement, the customer has built a robust process that keeps production running efficiently while ensuring valuable organic residual streams continue their journey towards reuse.

Interested in learning how a Smicon service agreement can improve the reliability and availability of your installation? Contact our service team to discuss the possibilities.