History

The First Sorter!

Launch of MAT 2000, first sorter ever in vegetable market!

- Higher quality product
- Less damage to processing equipment
- Lowered final sorting

New Sorter

Launch of the ELBISCAN 3000 : the first light beam scanner.

New Sorter

Launch of the ELBISCAN 5000 laser sorter sorting French fries:

- Belt sorter
- Laser technology
- RGB reflection

Tobacco Industry

The first 'belt laser'-sorter has been installed in the tobacco market, sorting tobacco stems.

New Sorter

Launch of the ELBISCAN 6000 top & bottom laser sorter:

- Belt sorter
- Laser technology
- RGB reflection
- Top and bottom view

Pulsarr launched the RX.

Acquisition

Acquisition of Elbicon by BARCO. In 1997, Barco acquired also Pulsarr and became Barco Machine Vision.

Foundation

In 1996, Paul Berghmans, Eddy De Reys and Marc Ruymen, a team of three engineers, left their employer to write technological history themselves. They had years of experience in optical sorting technology for the food industry.

The adventurous engineer Bert Van der Auwera joined them to lead the sales of the equipment. The four entrepreneurs were convinced of the need for a new generation of modern and efficient sorting machinery. They started from scratch in Eddy De Reys' garage. Their first invention was the beginning of a new generation of sorting equipment: the high-tech FREE-FALL laser sorter LS9000™. Six months after the start-up, it was delivered to a raisin exporter in Turkey. BEST, Belgian Electronic Sorting Technology, is definitely founded!

The first free-fall laser sorter

Sorter: LS9000™

Technology: Laser - free-fall

In 1997, the laser sorter entered new worldwide markets such as the nut, prawn, vegetable and fruit industry. Thanks to the unequalled technological innovation of the BEST machine and the opening of new markets, the company became a big success, resulting in a turnover that was five times higher than expected.

The signs of success

Facts: LS9000™ had a great success.

Results: New building - Agent network - Awards.

Two years after the foundation of BEST, an extensive network of local agents was established to better serve the customers. The company moved to a new building and was winner of the Technological Innovation Award organized by the King Boudouin Young Entrepreneurs Foundation.

One year later, BEST was the winner of "The best independent entrepreneur of the year" given by the National Liberal Association for Entrepeneurs and the KBC bank & insurance company.

New sorter: Argus™

Sorters: Argus™ - LS9000™

Technology: Laser - free-fall

Thanks to the improved efficiency and performance, combined with the high reliability and user-friendliness of the new machines, BEST managed to achieve a prominent position in the industry, the US branch in Colorado was founded and BEST's machinery was then present in 28 countries. Following the demand, BEST introduced a bigger size laser sorter with high capacities: the Argus™ free-fall laser sorter!

The headquarters in Belgium moved to a larger building and the company won a new award: the Hermes price!

New sorter: Ixus™

Sorters: Ixus™ - Argus™ - LS9000™

Technology: Laser - x-ray - free-fall

BESTRAY is founded as a joint venture between Christiaan Fivez and BEST. BESTRAY develops the IXUS product line, equipped with x-ray systems, which can be used on all different packed products or bulk products.

New sorter & technology

Sorters: Xyclops™ - Ixus™ - Argus™ - LS9000™

Technologies: Shape - laser - x-ray - Fluo™ - free-fall

- BEST introduced a brand new shape sorter: the Xyclops™
- Introduction of the FLUO™ technology : the patented laser Fluo™ technology gives an even better contrast to detect color and texture differences based on chlorophyll characteristics.

World leader

World leader Sorters: Mira™ - Ixus™ - TB2™ - Xyclops™ - Argus™ - LS9000™

Technologies: Laser - camera - Fluo™ - LED - x-ray - shape - measuring - free-fall - belt

In 2003, BEST strengthened its market share in the visual inspection technology with the acquisition of Barco Machine Vision, a merger between Elbicon and Pulsarr. This new expansion extended the product range of BEST with camera technology, infrared detection and X-ray with which, besides the food business, new markets could be entered like the recycling, cotton and tobacco. BEST is considered the world market leader in the field of laser sorting technology.

New sorter: Genius™

Sorters: Genius™ - Ixus™ - TB2™ - Xyclops™ - Mira™ - Argus™ - LS9000™

Technologies: Laser - camera - Fluo™ - LED - x-ray - shape - measuring - free-fall - belt

BEST Sorting developed an entirely new generation of sorting machines, based on extensive field experience and using the latest technological developments in optics, electronics and mechanics. Color, structure, shape and even fluorescence sorting on a GENIUS sorter! BEST Sorting is the winner of the Flanders Export Award. With this award the Belgian authorities wanted to reward BEST because it is persistently looking for new markets, develops new products and networks, participates at worldwide expositions, creates marketing tools in several languages, etc.

New Sorters

Sorters: Helius™ - Genius™ - Ixus™ - TB2™ - Xyclops™ - Mira™ - Argus™ - LS9000™

Technologies: Laser - camera - Fluo™ - LED - x-ray - shape - measuring - free-fall - belt

- After installing more than 800 free-fall laser sorters all over the world, BEST introduces a whole new generation of free fall-laser sorters under the umbrella of the HELIUS platform.
- BEST celebrates its 10th anniversary.
- BEST introduced its new Genius 2000mm Optical Sorter for high-volume processing, this is the biggest sorter on the whole sorting market

New corporate style

Sorters: TB5™ - PJS™ - Helius™ - Genius™ - Ixus™ - TB2™ - Xyclops™ - Mira™ - Argus™ - LS9000™

Technologies: Laser - camera - Fluo™ - LED - x-ray - shape - measuring - free-fall - belt

- BEST launched its new corporate logo, symbolizing its achievements as an innovative global force and its role as a leading company in the sorting market.
- The company acquires the Pacific Jet Sorter from REM Pacific located in BOW, Washington USA. With this acquisition, BEST continues its expansion in the field of high-tech sorting machinery.
- Our subsidiary in The Netherlands, Pulsarr Industrial Research B.V. changed its name to BEST Eindhoven B.V.
- The 3rd generation of the high speed belt sorters is introduced in the tobacco market: TB5 or TOBACCOSCAN-5 with 'HELIUS'-electronics and 'BEST'-optics

The corporation

Sorters: Primus™ - Helius™ - Genius™ - Ixus™ - TB5™ - Xyclops™ - PJS™ - Mira™ - Argus™ - LS9000™

Technologies: Laser - camera - Fluo™ - LED - x-ray - shape - measuring - free-fall - belt

- BEST Eindhoven expands its production hall thanks to the success of the Genius™ Optical sorter.
- Introduction of the Primus™ for sorting small round fruit like berries, cherries, ... The Primus™ is manufactured and assembled at BEST Pacific, Bow, USA.
- Introduction of 1600 wide free fall laser scanner
- Pentahold invests in BEST and acquires 51% of the shares.
- BEST forms a formal Board of Directors with independent chairman.
- BEST is a Trends Gazelle for the 5th time in a row: In 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 BEST belonged to the Trends Gazelles of the year. Every year, Trends awards the fastest growing companies.

Seeing the invisible

Sorters: Primus™ - Helius™ - Genius™ - Ixus™ - TB5™ - Xyclops™ - PJS™ - Mira™ - Argus™ - LS9000™

Technologies: Laser - camera - Fluo™ - Detox™ - LED - x-ray - shape - measuring - free-fall - belt

- Formation of executive committee
- Paul Berghmans, co-founder of BEST, is elected as the new Chief Executive Officer.
- Introduction of the Detox™ aflatoxin laser sorter
- Introduction of the Helius™ P sorter especially designed for seeds, rice, nuts, coffee, dehydrated fruit and vegetables.
- Introduction of SWIR, RES™ and MSX technologies.
- Introduction of the triple view X-ray jar inspection
- BEST has expanded its office area.
- BESTTORATEC is founded to serve the Recycling industry worldwide
- The production of the PRIMUS sorters will move to Denver into our new and larger facility.

New sorters

Sorters: Opus - Helius™ - Genius™ - Primus™ - Ixus™ - TB5™ - Felix™ - Xyclops™ - PJS™ - Mira™ - Argus™ - LS9000™

Technologies: Laser - camera - Fluo™ - Detox™ - LED - x-ray - shape - measuring - free-fall - belt

- Introduction of the Opus™ : the free-fall camera sorter.
- Introduction of the Helius™ T, the free-fall sorter with dual technology, camera & laser
- Introduction of the Felix™ sorter for the removal of gross defects
- Introduction of the Ixus Bulk 800, the largest x-ray sorter on the market
- Significant upgrades on the Genius™ sorter
- Production of Genius product line in USA
- Foundation of BEST China, BEST Japan and BEST Turkey
- BEST introduces the Felix, gross defect sorter
- Introduction of a new Ixus bulk sorter
- Opening of service office in California
- Introduction of the Opus optical sorter
- Production starts at BEST USA

Recycling

Sorters: Primex - Duplex - Ecotower - Easymex - Nirex - Opus - Helius™ - Genius™ - Primus™ - Ixus™ - TB5™ - Felix™ - Xyclops™ - PJS™ - Mira™ - Argus™ - LS9000™

Technologies: Laser - camera - Fluo™ - Detox™ - LED - x-ray - shape - measuring - free-fall - belt - induction - magnets - Eddy current

BEST Sorting acquires 100 percent of the shares in BESTTORATEC.

- Primus Gemini is Best New Processing Equipment
- BEST wins the "Export Lion 2011" award
- 15 years BEST
- Opening of BEST Sorting Solution Center
- Launch of Nimbus, camera and laser solution
- Introduction of three way sorting
- Launch of flex & smart sort
- Introduction AFMD technology
- Launch of Stratus gross defect sorter and Helius™ 2400 free fall sorter for the tobacco market
- BEST wins MACFRUT Oscar

BEST is acquired by TOMRA

BEST is acquired by TOMRA and becomes part of the TOMRA Sorting Solutions Group