In the last decade HJV Engineering has delivered innovations in washing, drying, destoning, sorting, conveying, storage and automation for root crops.
“We’ve innovated every year,” said Dan Mann, vice-president of HJV Engineering at Alliston-based HJV Equipment.
HJV Engineering marked a decade of developing custom solutions for the agricultural sector on Aug. 16.
Mann said the department develops five to six pieces to incorporate into existing lines and one or two major innovations, adding that HJV Engineering is a custom builder with intention.
He said, HJV is propelled by strong customer communication and a desire to understand and develop solutions that meet the requirements of most operations.
“I think this industry has been looking for innovation, and some of the innovation has been slow in certain sectors of the industry,” said Mann. “We’re trying to push that innovation a little faster.”
What sets HJV apart is its use of stainless steel rather than mild steel favoured by other manufacturers.
“All of our contact points for potatoes are actually stainless steel,” he said, as an example. “Most of the main equipment is stainless steel; we only make the main frame out of mild steel. It’s (for) food safety and longevity.”
Increased demand
During the COVID-19 pandemic, HJV Engineering added 20,000 square feet to its facility to increase production to meet demand — particularly for the potato sector, which is a significant driver for custom solutions.
For example, in 2022 HJV’s washing, drying and electronic sorting system addressed labour shortages, lowered crop injury and water usage and improved grading accuracy through electronic sorting.
In 2024, the new mobile trailer washer allowed producers to process 200,000 pounds of potatoes an hour field-side. The system limits water usage with its 9,000-gallon recirculation and natural flocculant system, allowing “waste” water to be safely redistributed back into the field.
In 2025, HJV unveiled the Split Grader with an integrated Tomra 3A series optical sorter, drawing attention for its ability to remove a significant amount of foreign debris while sorting potatoes and increasing storage capacity.
While most of the technology appeals to chipping and fry industries, HJV is beginning to expand its range to other crops, specifically, onions.
“It’s a different sector for us to get into and broaden our horizons,” he shared.
For Mann, the anniversary reflects a decade of responding to customer needs while continuing to look for new places where custom engineering can improve crop handling.
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