Tegra Systems
Behind every label on the jar of beans in the supermarket lies a whole story. And Tegra Systems in Andijk plays an important role in that story. The company is a supplier, importer, and manufacturer of industrial weighing and labeling equipment. “Customization is the key word here. Every company has different challenges, and with our 35 years of experience, we provide a suitable answer,” explains co-owner Herman van Teeffelen.
Tegra Systems was founded in 2003 by former colleagues Herman van Teeffelen and Mischa de Graaff. “The company we worked for specialized in weighing scales. At some point, the focus shifted more to retail, creating a gap in the industrial market.” The duo seized this opportunity, and Tegra Systems was born. “Initially, we took care of servicing existing weighing scales in supermarkets. Together with three technicians, we installed them and provided maintenance and repairs. This was the stepping stone to the industrial branch,” explains Mischa.
Industry as the main pillar
Four years later, the entrepreneurial duo took their first steps into the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries with their weighing and labeling equipment. Today, Tegra Systems is a well-known name in this field. They deliver customized solutions daily in the secondary sector, and have also built a strong reputation in logistics and agriculture. The company is steadily growing—not only in knowledge and clientele but also in personnel. For example, Herman’s son André joined the company in 2009, and now a complete team of specialists is in place to support customers from design through installation.
From deboner to pastry chef
André started in the service department. “That way, I got to know the machines and existing customers well. Now I hold a sales position, manage various projects, and handle marketing. That suits me perfectly! I enjoy the variety. On Monday, I might be at a deboner’s in Limburg, and on Thursday, I have an appointment with a pastry chef in Den Helder,” he says. Wherever André is, his job is to give each customer the right advice and think along about how existing machines can be used more efficiently. “That’s why I visit our customers personally, because listening carefully allows you to offer the right solution. If I get stuck, I often consult with Mischa. He’s the technical man of the company, who always has an ingenious solution.”
Smart software
Mischa is what you call a self-taught expert. The co-owner of Tegra has taught himself everything when it comes to software. “In the past, the measuring and labeling machines were often controlled by a cabinet full of wiring. Very inconvenient and inefficient. That’s why we switched to PC control as soon as possible, so we could implement smart software,” Mischa explains. This innovation is not only more convenient for Tegra itself but also for the customer. “If a device needs adjustment along the way, it can be done in no time. Also, if the government suddenly decides that a label must have a certain feature, we can quickly adapt it by changing something in the software. Easy for us and very convenient for our customers.”
The best solution for the customer
Especially in the meat processing industry, changes in legislation happen regularly. “You wouldn’t want a deboner to have to buy a new machine for every legal change or be out of operation for two days because the control system is so complicated! We see it as our task to find the best solution for the customer.” A good example of such a solution is the system that can trace all information throughout the meat processing chain. “This is called traceability. In case of a recall, you can precisely see which batches need to be recalled. This saves the customer a lot of time, effort, and costs!”
But Tegra Systems also provides custom solutions for full sorting lines for products like broccoli and pointed cabbage, Herman explains. “By using flexible weighing and labeling systems, customers in agriculture can sort by size, label by weight, manage stock, and process orders at the push of a button. Efficiency is again the key word here.”
Future vision
Tegra Systems does not stand still. The company develops alongside the industries it serves. “You can see this reflected in our machines. If you compare the equipment from 2003 with what we deliver now, it’s a world of difference. We keep innovating and, due to the specific demands from various customers, we remain constantly alert. The tougher the challenge, the more exciting it is to come up with a solution, but that solution always comes!” concludes André.
