44 | Plant revamp boasts latest technology T Karen Phelps REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Matamata: Greenlea Premier Meats Greenlea is undertaking several significant projects at its sites to meet demand for its product. At its Morrinsville processing plant the company is investing heavily in an automatic sorting and freezing system. Boasting the latest technology available internationally, the equipment will bring key benefits to staff and the resulting product, says Greenlea operations manager Aaron Craig. It will be the company’s biggest investment since it purchased the site in 1997. The system will have the capacity to sort over 7000 cartons a day with a total holding capacity of over 15,000 cartons. Items are delivered from the processing rooms, blast frozen to -18 degrees C, sorted via barcode and palletised automatically before being delivered to cold storage. “Previously this entire process was undertaken manually so the new system will see staff deployed into more technical roles.” T to page 46 Aaron says the custom designed system is unique globally and Greenlea engaged proven professionals in their fields to invent the system. “Previously this entire process was undertaken manually so the new system will see staff deployed into more technical roles, “In addition to eliminating typical health and safety hazards associated with this process, the system will result in 100% accuracy of stock inventory control and increase product turnover by reducing time it sits on site waiting to be processed.” Aaron says this will allow Greenlea to be more responsive to customers’ needs. The system will be up and running by late June 2022. The boning room at the Morrinsville site is also being redesigned and extended. It will be equipped with the latest vacuum packing technology. Aaron says the benefits will be enhancing product protection, reduction in manual handling, better traceability and increased accuracy and efficiency. He says shipping delays and supply chain disruptions are still an issue. This has led Greenlea to develop its own container park on the site to increase flexibility as container delivery timeframes shift and change. As part of the site updates electric vehicle chargers have been installed in the visitor car park area. There is also a significant environmental project underway on the site, which Aaron says will have benefit for the whole community. Greenlea is supporting a project initiated by the Matamata Piako District Council with the Morrinsville River Walk extension. One section of the trail is adjacent to the Morrinsville site and Greenlea has also been a financial sponsor. Greenlea is also undertaking its own gully restoration programme, fencing off and stock proofing areas next to the Morrinsville stream, which runs through the site. It is also planting 4.6ha in natives. Oj i Fibre Solut ions Packaging 0800 220 500 | oj i fs.com Providing Greenlea Premier Meats with quality corrugate packaging, made from renewable, sustainably harvested forestry and recycled wood fibre. Proud to be supporting Greenlea Premier Meats
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=