How Siam Del Monte Improved Sweet Corn Quality and Reduced Labor Costs with Raytec Optical Sorting

Siam Del Monte, a subsidiary of Del Monte Asia, exports nearly 99% of its sweet corn production worldwide, with Japan representing one of its most important markets. Operating in a market known for exceptionally high quality standards and consumer expectations, the company places great emphasis on product quality, inspection processes, and manufacturing technologies. 

Ensuring consistent quality throughout production is essential to maintaining customer satisfaction and meeting the strict requirements of international food markets. 

The Challenge: Defects in Sweet Corn and High Labor Requirements 

One of the main challenges in sweet corn processing is the presence of defects caused by insects and worms. These defects can significantly affect product quality and require extensive sorting activities to ensure only high-quality kernels reach consumers. 

For many years, Siam Del Monte relied heavily on manual inspection and sorting. However, this approach required a large workforce and generated considerable operational costs. 

The company began searching for an automated solution capable of improving sorting efficiency while reducing labor dependency and maintaining the highest quality standards.

Finding the Right Technology Partner 

Over the years, Siam Del Monte evaluated several optical sorting systems but struggled to find a solution that met its performance expectations. 

The breakthrough came through Tanamac, Raytec’s service partner in Thailand, which introduced the company to Raytec Vision optical sorting technology. 

What stood out was Raytec’s extensive experience in the sweet corn industry and its innovative sorting technology, specifically designed to address the unique challenges of sweet corn processing.

The Solution: Raytec Vision Optical Sorting Technology 

After evaluating the technology, Siam Del Monte implemented Spray Raytec optical sorter specifically configured for sweet corn inspection. 

The system was designed to: 

• Detect insect- and worm-damaged kernels 
• Remove defective product with high accuracy
• Minimize the loss of good kernels
• Improve overall product consistency 
• Reduce labor requirements during sorting operations

An important advantage of the solution is its ability to balance effective defect removal with maximum product recovery, helping processors reduce waste while maintaining quality standards. 

Results: Higher Efficiency and Significant Labor Savings 

The introduction of the Raytec sorting system delivered immediate operational benefits.  

✅ Workforce reduced from 25 operators to approximately 8 

✅ ROI estimated between 3/4 years 

✅ Defect rejection efficiency increased from below 70% to over 90% 

✅ Improved product quality consistency 

✅ Reduced loss of good sweet corn kernels 

One of the most impressive results was the sorting accuracy achieved by the Raytec system. Previous optical sorters tested by the company failed to consistently reach satisfactory rejection rates, while Raytec exceeded 90% efficiency in removing defective kernels. 

At the same time, the system successfully minimized the unnecessary rejection of good product, helping maximize yield and profitability. 

Continuous Support and Collaboration 

Beyond machine performance, Siam Del Monte highlights the strong collaboration established with both Tanamac and Raytec Vision. 

The company benefits from: 

• Fast remote support 
• On-site technical assistance
• Ongoing optimization of sorting parameters 
• Continuous technology improvements

This close partnership ensures the sorting system continues to evolve alongside production requirements and new quality challenges.

Looking Ahead: Driving Future Innovation 

As food safety and quality standards continue to increase worldwide, Siam Del Monte remains committed to investing in advanced processing technologies. 

Working closely with Tanamac and Raytec, the company continues to explore new opportunities to further improve sorting performance and product quality. Future developments in optical sorting technology are expected to deliver even greater efficiency, precision, and productivity. 

For Siam Del Monte, the investment in Raytec Vision technology has proven to be more than a labor-saving solution. It has become a strategic tool for maintaining premium product quality, optimizing operations, and meeting the demanding standards of global export markets.