'Netherlands leads the way in emission-free work'

Van Herwijnen delivered the first hybrid drum screen from Polish company Pronar to a Dutch client in September. "With this you can easily operate in places where there is no electricity yet," explains Jimmy van Herwijnen. This is in contrast to the electric-hydraulic Pronar drum screens that the company has been supplying for some time.

"With that, an electric motor takes care of driving the hydraulics. In the new hybrid model, all moving parts are driven by electric motors, which can be powered either by the mains or by a built-in generator. That also makes a hybrid drum screen suitable for places where no power outlet is available," says Jimmy. "Without having to buy a separate generator." 

For some time now, Van Herwijnen Machinery has been working with recycling machines from the Polish manufacturer Pronar. According to director Jimmy van Herwijnen, these are by far the machines with the best price/quality ratio. Moreover, the manufacturer listens carefully to the wishes of Dutch customers. As a result, Pronar is rapidly expanding its product range.

From small to large

The hybrid drum screen represents a first for this manufacturer. The machine was built at the express request of a Dutch client of Van Herwijnen Machinery. "The Netherlands is simply leading the way when it comes to emission-free and electric work," Jimmy states. "All the smaller shredders are already electric and the larger machines will soon follow." 

Jimmy says the reason Van Herwijnen and the Dutch market have such a big influence on Pronar's program is because he was one of the first dealers of Pronar's recycling machines eight years ago. "We are in the field every day and have a lot of product knowledge. We also sell well, so we are an important market for them. As a result, they are happy to listen to us." In a relatively short time, that has resulted in Pronar gaining a sizable market share. 

Fine fraction shaker sieve

Jimmy knows that Pronar will introduce several new models in the near future. "For example, we have been testing a new shaker sieve and a fine fraction shaker sieve for a while now. The latter is basically a shaker sieve with the conveyor belt up and intended to sift out granules. All the major brands already have such a machine - I sell them, for example, from the Swedish brand Sandvik - and Pronar will soon be selling them as well." Furthermore, Pronar is developing a jaw crusher and a large crusher. "They want to make a machine for each market and then expand the program."

Jimmy is confident that Pronar can compete with the trusted brands. "In terms of price/quality ratio, there is no better, I am convinced of that," he sounds confident. "Anyway, Pronar is the cheapest. But they are not inferior to other brands. And I know that in the last two or three years we have also sold by far the most drum screens. So we have really gained a lot of market share in the Netherlands. And so far I don't hear any complaints from anyone. I can say that I have built a good name for myself over the past few years." 

According to Jimmy, not least because he has a huge stock of parts of most Pronar machines, which also allows the company to provide the right service in terms of maintenance. "No other supplier does that after me. As a result, I actually never have to say 'no' when a customer calls."