AVL MOTION: “Aiming to solve the major challenge: labour shortages!”

As the son of an asparagus grower, Arno van Lankveld (founder and namesake of AVL Motion) quite literally grew up between the rows of the ‘white gold’. This gave him a firsthand understanding of the recurring challenges faced by his parents and their business. “It’s an incredibly dynamic environment, with all the complexities that come with it,” he explains.

Bright Ideas

“In 2018, AVL Motion began developing a harvesting machine for white asparagus, with two key challenges in mind: reliability and a compelling business case for growers. Step by step, we moved closer to the machines we now have operating in the fields,” says Van Lankveld. “Equipped with intelligent software and cameras, the machines scan the asparagus beds and can harvest up to 6,000 spears per hour: a huge leap compared to the 300 spears per hour that a manual picker can achieve!”

CCO Sander Wientjes adds: “At AVL Motion, we are targeting the biggest issue in the agricultural sector: labour. With our harvesting machines, we offer a solution to that. Initially, our focus lies in Europe: Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands. But ultimately, we aim to see our machines in fields around the world where selective harvesting is required.”

Venturing

To realise this ambitious vision, additional investment is still needed. “We’re focused on the long term, but that requires capital. Only then can we grow: both with this machine and with other applications of the technology, such as green asparagus and broccoli,” explains Wientjes. “The technology is still new to the world, so we don’t just need to grow, we need to mature.”

“We’re currently making the transition from ‘invention’ to ‘innovation’. To put it simply: invention costs money, innovation generates revenue,” says CFO/COO Raymond van den Bos. “We’re preparing for a new funding round, and this capital injection will allow us to take the necessary steps to show the sector the true value our machines can bring to their operations,” he says enthusiastically.

Partnerships

“In BVP, we’ve found a partner that truly acts as one: they listen to the company and understand what investment entails. With their knowledge and expertise, they’ve been instrumental in guiding us forward,” says Van den Bos. BVP’s Kim de Boer and Marcel Zijp are both involved with AVL Motion: “This is a perfect match for BVP. Not only because it’s in the agrifood sector, but also because it touches on key pillars like efficiency and sustainability.”

“At the same time, this is still venture capital, which means we must truly see each other as partners: sharing developments and aligning expectations. It’s a long-term journey that requires endurance and close collaboration. The keywords here are courage and patience. But we’re increasingly confident that AVL’s technology will find its place in the market,” De Boer concludes, just before joining the AVL team and other guests for a dinner on site. On the menu, of course: asparagus… the ingredient that connects it all.

Find out more about AVL Motion here -> Link