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Blog
Quality that lasts: Why Verbruggen machines keep performing for decades
In conversation with Bryan van Vilsteren – Product manager at Verbruggen
At Verbruggen Palletizing Solutions, quality is about far more than steel, motors, or software. According to Product Manager Bryan van Vilsteren, true quality starts with people.
“Every department contributes to the quality of our machines,” Bryan explains. “From engineering and production to service and support, it’s the knowledge, commitment, and craftsmanship of our people that make the difference. Quality is part of our DNA.”
Build for reliability
Verbruggen has earned a global reputation for building robust palletizing solutions that continue to perform year after year. But what makes a palletizer truly reliable?
“It starts with a solid foundation,” Bryan says. “Every design decision matters, from the structural engineering of the frame to the motors and hardware we select. We only work with suppliers who share our high quality standards because their components directly influence the reliability of our machines.”
That philosophy has helped establish Verbruggen as a premium supplier of palletizing systems worldwide. Strong engineering results in machines with minimal vibration, quiet operation, and exceptional durability.
A machine is only successful when the customer is
For Bryan, quality is measured by customer satisfaction rather than specifications on paper.
“We always push ourselves to meet our customer’s exact requirements. When a customer is genuinely happy with the solution we’ve delivered, that’s when we know we’ve built a great machine.”
That customer-focused approach continues long after installation.
Reliability throughout the entire machine lifecycle
Many manufacturers deliver a machine and move on. Verbruggen takes a different approach.
“We stay involved throughout the entire lifecycle of every machine,” Bryan explains. “That’s the strength of our Life Cycle Program. We continue supporting our customers with preventive maintenance, remote support, spare parts, software updates, and technical expertise for as long as the machine is in operation.”
This long-term commitment is one of the reasons customers consistently praise the reliability of Verbruggen palletizers.
“What we hear most is that our machines are extremely robust, require little maintenance, and that we’re always available whenever support is needed.”
Every machine is thoroughly tested
Before any machine leaves the factory, it undergoes a comprehensive Factory Acceptance Test (FAT).
“Whenever possible, we test using the customer’s actual product,” Bryan says. “That allows us to validate performance under realistic production conditions. Customers are welcome to attend the FAT and review every aspect of the machine together with our engineers.”
After installation, the process continues with a Site Acceptance Test (SAT).
“We repeat the validation in the customer’s production environment, integrating the palletizer with upstream and downstream equipment, ERP systems, or SCADA platforms if required. At the same time, we train operators to ensure they’re fully prepared to work with the machine.”
Twenty years later… still producing
One of the strongest demonstrations of Verbruggen quality is the number of machines that remain in daily operation after decades of service and having stacked millions of bags over their lifetime.
“Our core palletizing principles haven’t changed,” Bryan explains. “We still use the proven manipulator concept combined with our stack cage to produce perfectly straight and stable pallet loads. We’ve continuously optimized the technology based on customer feedback, but the pioneering philosophy of our engineers remains the same.”
A perfect example can be found at a long-standing customer in the United Kingdom, Heygates, where a Verbruggen palletizer has stacked millions of pet food bags over many years and is still operating today. The customer recently ordered a new V-Stack 618, while the original machine will remain part of the production line.
“That speaks volumes about the reliability and longevity of our machines.”
Smarter through technology
While the mechanical principles remain proven, today’s machines have become significantly smarter.
“Twenty years ago operators mainly worked with push buttons. Today they have intuitive HMI touchscreens that provide machine status, diagnostics, and operator guidance. Remote support allows our service engineers to connect directly to the machine, helping customers resolve issues much faster without unnecessary travel around the world.”
Modern engineering also focuses on ease of ownership. “We’ve optimized the entire lifecycle of the machine. Features like easier product changeovers, improved accessibility for maintenance, and intelligent software all make daily operation simpler and more efficient.”
Innovation driven by customers
Product development at Verbruggen starts with listening.
“New ideas come from everywhere,” Bryan says. “They may originate from customers, our field service engineers, sales teams, or internal colleagues. Every idea is evaluated because innovation is something we do together.”
Customer feedback plays a particularly important role.
“We don’t just listen to what customers ask for we also listen between the lines. We want to understand the real challenge behind the request. That’s exactly why we developed our StackCheck assessment: to identify opportunities and recommend the most suitable palletizing solution.”
Innovation starts with quality
Developing new technology while maintaining premium quality requires careful validation.
“Every innovation is thoroughly tested before it reaches the market,” Bryan explains. “We start with extensive internal testing before moving to real-world customer environments.”
One current example is the long-term endurance testing of a newly developed manipulator at one of our largest Dutch customers locations; Waterman Onions, located near Verbruggen’s headquarters. “That’s how we balance innovation with the reliability customers have trusted for more than 30 years.”
“People sometimes ask whether it’s more difficult to develop something new when your quality standards are already so high,” Bryan says. “Not really. Engineering for premium quality is simply part of our DNA. Every new concept we develop starts with the same standard of robustness and reliability that customers already expect from us.”
Sustainability has also become an increasingly important part of product development.
“Our customers are placing greater emphasis on energy efficiency, driven by both sustainability goals and evolving regulations. That’s why we carefully select high-quality, energy-efficient components, including our drive systems and motors. Every component contributes to the overall performance, reliability, and efficiency of the machine.”
According to Bryan, one aspect of machine quality is often overlooked.
“Software doesn’t receive as much attention because you can’t see or touch it, but it’s one of the most important parts of a modern palletizer. Since we develop our software in-house, we’re able to continuously improve functionality, support new technologies, and provide advanced remote diagnostics and operator assistance. It allows our machines to keep evolving long after they’ve been installed.”
A proud milestone the V-Stack 315
When asked which recent development he is most proud of, Bryan doesn’t hesitate.
“Without a doubt, the V-Stack 315. In a relatively short period of time, we developed an outstanding product. From day one, we designed it with the entire process in mind, not only to ensure smooth implementation for our customers, but also to make it easier for our own teams across engineering, production, assembly, commissioning, and service to build, install, and support the machine efficiently.
The V-Stack 315 also represents an important strategic step for Verbruggen. “With this machine, we’ve successfully expanded into the fruit and vegetable market, opening the door to new applications while maintaining the same premium quality and reliability our customers have trusted for more than 30 years.”
Looking ahead
As industries continue to evolve, so do customer expectations. Regulations become stricter, production lines become more complex, and digital integration becomes increasingly important.
“Our vision hasn’t changed,” Bryan concludes. “We’re a premium machine builder, and we intend to stay that way. The key is simple: keep listening to our customers, keep improving, and continue delivering robust, reliable palletizing solutions that customers can depend on for decades.”
“When a machine is still running reliably after more than twenty years, it proves that it was exceptionally well designed and built. Our service and support also play an important role in keeping those machines performing at their best over the years.” He laughs before adding, “Although after twenty years, it might also be a good time to upgrade to a new machine with all the smart technologies available today.”
Asked what truly sets Verbruggen apart from other machine builders, Bryan says. “It’s the mentality of our people. We’ve always been pioneers in our field, but we’ve never lost our down-to-earth approach. We work side by side with our customers, listen carefully to their challenges, and take responsibility for finding the best possible solution. That mindset has been part of Verbruggen from the very beginning.”
And what does he hope customers think when they see a Verbruggen palletizer in operation? Bryan smiles. “I’d like one of those, too!.”