2013

Seedlings to be packed by robots

The first automated seedling packaging line in the Baltic States has been set up at Strenči Tree Nursery. It will reduce manual labour during the intense autumn period and improve the quality of seedlings.

Packaging is the final process in the cycle of seedling germination. However, the shortest period of time is dedicated for it – from the end of October, when seedlings mature, until the middle of December, when frost sets in. It is also necessary to complete other tasks, for example, sort seedlings and prepare the youngest of them for winter. To make the most efficient use of the period, JSC “Latvia’s State Forests” Strenči Tree Nursery has set up the first automated seedling packaging line, which will help increase efficiency during this intense period by 25 percent.

Strenči Tree Nursery Director Jānis Zvejnieks: “The equipment consists of approximately 30 metres of production lines, special label printers, KUKA loader robots and various automated devices. It labels boxes, loads them on five storeys of trays (two meter high) and wraps ready products. It takes care of processing and packaging 250,000 to 300,000 seedlings per day, ensuring high quality seedlings next spring.”

JSC “Latvia’s State Forests” Strenči Tree Nursery plans to sell almost 17 million pine, fir, birch and black alder seedlings in 2013 and gradually increase their amount to 19 to 20 million in 2015.