To be honest, when the email from this American cucumber canning company first arrived, my colleagues and I didn't pay much attention. We receive messages every week from various factories—some looking for vegetable washing machines, some for cutting machines, and some just asking for a price and then disappearing.
But this email felt different, and after receiving a few replies, it felt very different. The customer described their situation in surprising detail. It was clear they were encountering significant difficulties in the washing process of their cucumber production line.
So, this is roughly how it happened, from receiving the first email to them installing three bubble washing machines in their factory. I'm writing this down partly for archiving, and partly because some customers prefer real-life case studies from machine manufacturers to elaborate marketing articles.
Background of the Investigation
The customer reported that the cucumbers they delivered had more dirt, leaves, and small thorns than ever before. For years, they had been using an old, open-air pool for washing. Workers turned the cucumbers by hand, sometimes using plastic rakes.
This method was barely effective. But as they said, the cleaning results were becoming inconsistent.
They mentioned:
- Problems during inspections
- Rising complaints from the brine department
Based on their description, we could almost picture the scene: large quantities of fresh cucumbers were dumped into a shallow pool, workers bent over, constantly turning the cucumbers, the water getting dirty every ten minutes.
This sounded like something many factories would encounter before switching to an industrial cleaning line.
We asked the client for photos and videos, which they sent quickly.
That's when we realized:
They needed more than just a small upgrade.
They needed a suitable bubble cleaner—the kind of industrial-grade machine we make.
Delving into the practical situation
In several video calls, we realized their real concern was damaging the cucumbers. In the US, pickled cucumbers must be in perfect condition before pickling. Surface scratches can cause the cucumbers to soften during pickling.
Therefore, "gentle cleaning" became the focus.
We explained how our bubble cleaning system removes sand and impurities through gentle rolling motions without scratching the cucumber skin. This method is commonly used for blueberries, strawberries, and leafy greens, but surprisingly, it works just as well on cucumbers.
Hearing this, they seemed relieved.
This was probably the turning point that allowed the collaboration to move so quickly.
Sample Testing – The Real Turning Point
The customer sent us a batch of cucumbers.
The cucumbers arrived slightly softened from shipping, but we still tested them.
We recorded a test video:
- The bubbles rolled just right, not too vigorously.
- Dirty material fell into the sedimentation area below.
- Leaves drained from the overflow outlet.
- The conveyor belt smoothly lifted the cucumbers.
- The spray rinse completed the final cleaning.
The customer replied within an hour:
“This is exactly what we wanted.”
Based on experience, such a response means the deal is 70% done.
Order Confirmation: Three Machines, Not One
Initially, we thought they would only buy one.
But at the final meeting, the production manager—the quietest member of their team—suddenly said:
“If we’re going to upgrade, let’s do it the best. Three production lines running side-by-side.”
This surprised us, but upon reflection, it made perfect sense. Their factory processed a massive volume of cucumbers during harvest season, and one washing machine simply couldn’t meet the demand.
The final order was as follows:
• Three bubble washing machines (approximately 500 kg/hour each)
All constructed of SUS304 stainless steel, with thickened steel plates, reinforced aeration pipes, and deeper water tanks to accommodate the heavier cucumbers.
• Water circulation system
Reducing the frequency of water changes during peak periods.
• Electrical cabinets compliant with US UL standards
(While UL certification isn’t mandatory everywhere, they required a layout that an American electrician could easily understand.)
Once all the details were confirmed, we immediately began production.
Manufacturing: Our Actual Operations
People often imagine machines “automatically coming off an assembly line.”
But in a real factory like ours, building a bubble washer still requires manual labor.
Stainless steel sheets need to be cut and bent by hand.
Welders polish the welds twice, especially inside the water tank.
The aeration pipe system is pressure tested after assembly.
The conveyor belt tension is repeatedly adjusted.
The water pump runs for hours to check stability.
Even the small filter baskets are hand-shaped.
We see these machines every day, but when you see three identical machines side by side, brand new and gleaming, you truly feel the project gradually coming to fruition.
Each machine runs for two full days before shipping.
The customer confirms all the details via video call.
Shipping and Installation—A Few Surprises
There's always a bit of uncertainty when shipping to the US.
Customs randomly inspected one machine's packaging, but everything was intact.
Their installation team sent us photos while installing the machine.
Their factory looked older than we had imagined, but it was very well-organized.
During the installation process, we guided them through the following steps:
- Connecting inlet and outlet water pipes
- Adjusting bubble intensity
- Setting conveyor belt speed
- Setting up the water circulation system
Their team did an excellent job.Within a few days, all three bubble cleaning machines were put into operation.
Customer feedback after running the machines
About a month later, the production manager contacted us again. His message was brief and clear, yet significant:
1. "The cucumbers look cleaner. There are fewer impurities during the pickling process."
Previously, sand would accumulate at the bottom of the pickling tanks. Now, there's almost none.
2. Staffing has been reduced from 7 to 2 people.
One person is responsible for loading the cucumbers, and the other for washing them.
3. Water consumption has decreased.
Their washing tanks previously required frequent water changes.
Now, the circulation system filters out most impurities.
4. The machines successfully navigated the busiest season.
For cucumber processors in the United States, the peak season is extremely busy.
They reported that the three bubble washing machines handled everything very smoothly.
5. Reduced Product Damage
Surprisingly, their pickled cucumbers looked better than in previous years.
For us, this was strong evidence that the machines perfectly met their needs.
Why They Chose These Bubble Washers
Based on their feedback, the reasons are as follows:
- The bubble washers don't scratch the cucumbers.
- The machines are robust and easy to maintain.
- The filters are easy to remove.
- The water tanks are deeper, making them easier to clean.
- Spare parts are all standard and can be sourced locally.
- The washing effect remains stable even after long periods of operation.
- They also expressed appreciation that we didn't over-sell, but rather focused on practical issues.
- Sometimes, details matter more than fancy marketing rhetoric.
Some Lessons We Learned from This Project.Every project teaches us something new.
From this project, we summarized the following points:
- Cucumbers have different characteristics than leafy vegetables.
- Cucumbers are heavier, roll differently, and require stronger aeration.
- The US factory values simplicity.
- If a component is too complex and difficult to repair, they'd rather not buy it.
- Water recycling is becoming crucial everywhere.
- Many companies aspire to sustainability, even older factories.
- Authentic production video is more important than carefully edited footage.
The client stated they trust us because our test videos look "real and natural, not staged."Sometimes, a small problem—like sand in brine—can trigger a complete upgrade.Many food factories begin their modernization process this way.
Future Collaboration
The client has already inquired about:
- Brush Rollers
- Dryers
- Sorting Conveyor Belts
- Cucumber Slicing Cutting Machine
Nothing is finalized yet, but we believe this will be a long-term collaboration.
Conclusion
This case isn't glamorous or dramatic. It's simply a traditional American cucumber canning company trying to solve a very practical problem:
Their cucumbers weren't thoroughly cleaned.
Ultimately, three bubble washing machines became the solution.
As someone who witnessed the entire process—from the initial communication to the final installation—I can say with certainty that this project was truly reliable.
No fancy words, no exaggerated promises. Just sturdy, durable, well-designed food processing equipment that works diligently every day.
আপনার বার্তাটি 20-3,000 টির মধ্যে হতে হবে!
