Magazin Zenovik / September 2013

Interview with the owner and CEO of the 'Hartmann Company Food Technology Plant Engineering GmbH', Michael Hartmann.

The Hartmann Company Food Technology Plant Engineering GmbH continues its sustainable development. In 2012 and 2013, the company achieved remarkable results and now is the leading company for the distribution of cage equipment for broiler breeding with devices for automated depopulating the cages.
Today, the Hartmann Company is focusing on the production of high-quality  meat.
We talked with CEO Michael Hartmann about news and strategies of the company.

Journalist: Please tell us more about the cage equipment for broiler breeding, which the Hartmann Company supplies.
Michael Hartmann: First, I want to explain the concept of cage breeding, including the cage, the microclimate, lighting and heating. The first component is the cage with its specific soft floor. In this cage, poultry with up to 2.5 kg weight can be kept. Foot diseases and chest damages are eliminated.
Within the cage, the concept of moving the poultry, from depopulating the cage up to putting them into the boxes for slaughtering is elaborated in every detail.

Our experts analysed the process very thoroughly and realized, that the poultry is subject to a lot of stress while being transported on several different conveyor belts. The Hartmann Company developed a concept for smooth transfers between the conveyors that offers careful transport. All transfers, from the manure belt to the elevator, from the elevator to the mobile conveyor belt, from the conveyor belt to the boxes located on the roller gang, are constructed in such a way that stress will be minimized.
Poultry breeders know how important it is to have the lighting set correctly during depopulating the cages and to be able to turn it down from 100% to 0. Additionally, to the lighting control, the Hartmann Company provides the installation of blue light: In this light, humans can see while poultry cannot, which subsequently results in peace and quiet. If, during the daytime, the external temperature will rise over +25 degrees, fans will start operating and blinds will be opened in order to ensure the best possible lighting.
In order to achieve a high-class  meat production, from the technically point of view the Hartmann Company prepared everything to depopulate the poultry very carefully. At the same time, the importance of the human factor shouldn't be forgotten. 
The meat category depends on how careful depopulating is performed. Here, a qualified expert should be at work, interested in producing first class meat, because otherwise, even the best equipment will not bring the desired results.

J.: Why do customers buy more often from the Hartmann Company than from its competitors? What is your competitive advantage?
M.H.: The classic microclimate during winter and in-between seasons: supply air over the dampers and exhaust air over the roof. During summer: tunnel front-front (supply air over blind or panels, exhaust air over the front). Our competitive advantage is that we provide bigger zone sizing (4 to 6 zones) and twice as many damper actuators (4 actuators). In particular, we see that the air conditioning in the tunnel is calculated accurately.
Secondly: Many clients want to build a so-called  block barn (2 and more interlinked buildings). Here, supply of fresh air is a particular challenge for developers. In case of floor husbandry on litter, supply air normally is provided over the roof and exhaust air via the front side. We analysed the pattern of air exchange, took ventilation characteristics of cage and floor husbandry respectively into consideration and then developed a new system. We designed uniform ventilation for block barns in the cage production, which guarantees a minimum temperature difference (less than 1°С) in all areas over the entire height and length.
In 2013, the Hartmann Company has started to manufacture LED lighting for poultry houses. They consist of lamps manufactured using special technology and provide a high gradient of protection against moisture; therefore, there are no problems regarding cleaning the houses. The control options for such a lighting are truly limitless.os.

J.: What innovations concerning the production of hatching eggs the Hartmann Company can offer?
M.H.: In Russia, producing own hatching eggs has become more and more important. This is the reason why many poultry breeding companies started to build parent flock plants. Among its pioneers is one of the biggest Russian poultry factories,"Tschelny-Broiler". The production performance of the parent flock plants allows receiving 63 m to 65 m hatching eggs. Tschelny-Broiler commissioned us to create conditions in the parent flock plant, which enables maintaining a consistent stock, i.e., conditions each technologist dreams about. Our construction team offered some innovative solutions. Each feeding line is provided with a dosed ration of feed, the poultry is divided into three categories and fed dependent on its weight. Separately, the automated egg collection and putting the eggs into the Petersime trays (Belgium) was worked through as well. After that, the egg goes via the disinfection chamber into the incubator. Our implemented technologies in the parent flock plant "Tschelny-Broiler" allowed them to achieve a minimum scrap rate of 0.6% - 0.7% according to the characteristic "eggs on the floor."

J.: Presumably, this technological breakthrough rose interest among poultry breeders?
M.H.: Indeed, our equipment and the production success of our client did not go unnoticed. We are very grateful to Tschelny-Broiler for their politics of an open approach. They show equipment purchased from us, tell about the technology and generally present their results rather proudly.
We very much appreciate such partner relationships and are very aware of the potential interest from new clients. Our ring of partners is constantly extended. The construction of the Miratorg plant in Brjansk (75 m eggs) will be completed at the end of 2013. And right now, we're about to begin delivering the equipment for the parent flock plant (with a performance of 120 m eggs per annum) "Akaschewskaja Ptitsefabrika".
These are only examples. Naturally, for lack of space, we cannot list all our clients, who bought equipment for parent flocks from us, here in this interview.
Additionally, we supply hatchery technology, slaughter facilities and facilities for waste disposal. We also offer first class pig breeding equipment.

J.: Meeting up at the booth of the Hartmann Company during fairs has become a kind of tradition. Where can we meet your experts soon  and have a look at all those innovations?
M.H.: In October, we would like to welcome you at our booth on the Agroprodmash fair in Moscow. It is located in hall 2.1, booth 21C28.
There, all interested parties may become acquainted with the innovations of the Hartmann Company and discuss co-operations. We are looking forward to seeing old friends as well as new partners at our booth.