Hasting’s based CA Systems is the official New Zealand agent for ISOLCELL's Controlled Atmosphere equipment: the world-class equipment designed out of Italy from an area remarkably similar to Hawkes Bay, with orchards growing very similar produce and an industry with the same need for high-tech innovative solutions for their post-harvest storage requirements. “Isolcell is the majority supplier for CA plant in the fruit industry including apples, pears and kiwifruit throughout Europe and Australasia,” says CA Systems’ Managing Director Paul Barker. He first bought and installed Isolcell’s CA storage equipment in 1990 before eventually becoming their New Zealand distributor in 2020. “Controlled atmosphere systems are revolutionising long-term fruit storage capabilities across the country by allowing growers to hold their fruit longer for later shipping and reduce their risk when supplying global markets. Grower Packers are able to commit to fruit supply programmes to supermarkets that supply fruit to point of sale 12 months of the year,”he says. Paul’s experience in the horticulture industry, especially his years spent managing packhouse and coolstore operations, is valuable when it comes to the design and specifications of facilities looking for world-class, post-harvest storage solutions for the pipfruit industry. He worked closely with Richard Kinnear on Britkin Construction’s recently completed Rockit Global coolstore in Hastings. “I’m based in Hawkes Bay where Britkin Construction is involved with a lot of development and we really value our relationship with the Kinnear family that goes back many years. Funnily enough the first job I ever had when I left school at the age of 18 was on Richard’s father Gordon Kinnear’s orchard,” says Paul with a laugh. He’s been working in the industry ever since and he appreciates Richard’s collaborative approach, working closely with industry people, pulling together their expertise to shape and refine the design which will ensure a successful outcome when building these highly efficient, highly specialised, multi-million-dollar storage facilities. “Richard’s put a lot of time and effort into understanding what the key factors for his customers are, and he’s incredibly smart in that he’s not always trying to spend as little as possible. He saves money where he can and when he spends it it’s where it will most benefit the long-term tenants and owners of the facilities he’s involved with, in terms of building a better performing asset. He’s absolutely focused on outcomes that will add value for the tenants,” says Paul. CA Systems install plant that is an essential part of clients such as Rockit Global’s ability to successfully deliver their produce, whether domestically or around the world, by controlling oxygen levels, scrubbing carbon dioxide, monitoring ethylene production and controlling the humidity of the post-harvest storage areas. Built into their design are the highly specialised gas tight CA Doors designed and built in Italy as part of the safety protocols providing a secure and safe way to maintain the integrity of the storage room, Paul explains. “When you take a big coolstore and get rid of all the oxygen down to about 1% there’s obviously a whole lot of safety issues. Humans need 20.8 % oxygen saturation. We work with our clients to formulate their operating procedures in order to manage safety at the same time as they minimise storage risk on site,” says Paul. It's as integral to CA System’s project delivery as their comprehensive staff training, detailed Standard Operating Procedures, and all the necessary compliance certification, involved in managing the environmental factors essential to maintaining the quality of fruit being stored while reducing the risk of post-harvest storage. www.storage-isolcell.com Julie: 021 877 032 www.casystems.nz Paul: 021 877 034 Jon: 021 793 594 Isostore (DCA-CF) CONTROLLED ATMOPHERE SINCE 1958 A REVOLUTION IN FRUIT PRESERVATION SYSTEMS Pipfruit Controlled Atmosphere Oenology Brewing Industrial Nitrogen NZ Agent ISOLCELL Service and support for all existing atmosphere control systems The dynamic controlled atmosphere by using Chlorophyll fluorescence sensors HarvestWatch Design and build custom installations Smarter Storage for NZ Growers
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