70 | Busy future-proofing the business Sue Russell The Thompsons have engaged SmartSteel Buildings for the shed build. Kainui Pack and Cool HORTICULTURE SmartSteel Buildings, Northland’s Independent Steel Building Experts Bespoke Commercial & Industrial Structures, Lifestyle & Rural Sheds. Manufacture and supply of EPS & PIR insulated panels Metalcraft Insulated Panels are leading manufacturers, importers and suppliers of fire retardant expanded polystyrene (EPS) and PIR insulated roof and wall panel. Metalcraft Insulated Panels are proud to be insulated panel suppliers to SmartSteel Buildings Ltd for the new Kainui Packhouse project near Kerikeri. Insulated panels are used for a wide variety of industries where hygiene, cool or warm environments, or a comfortable workplace is paramount. Insulated panels can provide good insulation to reduce your annual heating or chiller bill. • Commercial buildings, roof or walls • Residential houses, roof and walls • Farm buildings including cowsheds • Horse stables • Enclosed vehicle trailers • Honey processing • Vegetable & flower storerooms • Coee bean storerooms Let us help you with sound advice from experienced people. Call 027 493-0423 or the factory 09 277-8844 terry@metpanels.co.nz or sales@metpanels.co.nz | www.metalcraftpanels.co.nz • Milk powder storerooms • Oces • Building upgrades • Easy to erect dividing walls • Commercial chicken sheds • Commercial freezers and chillers When you have been in the business of growing kiwifruit and citrus for 40+ years you develop a certain resilience when factors beyond your control impact on the business. Such is the case with Alan and Helen Thompson, of Kerikeri based Kainui Pack and Cool Ltd when COVID arrived. “We have now had three packing seasons with COVID and this year has been the hardest,” Helen explains. In the 2020 season there were still back-packers available to employ and coupled with a good turn-out of local people who traditionally return for the packing season they managed to get through well-enough. Since then, of course, with the lack of ability to engage additional RSE staff and no backpackers at all, the seasons have come with challenges, however the couple, who have traditionally worked all day in the pack-house themselves, have found ways to still process the crops. And through this time, with a mindset very much tuned to future-proofing the business, the Thompson’s have been working through planning and construction of their brand new packhouse facility at Waipapa, Kerikeri. “The old shed that we lease was built in the 1980’s and was built at the time for a much smaller throughput. We are still a small processer compared to others, but its going to be such a positive for us and for the staff working with us,” says Helen. Admitting they have been dreaming about a new packhouse for over five years and now finally seeing completion ready for the next season in arm’s reach is a huge positive through the challenges of late. “We’ve known for some time now that our crop volume was increasing with new plantings and more orchards and this new facility will mean our business is capable of processing this significant increase in volume.” Together with their existing, and some new plant and machinery, Kainui Pack & Cool will be well positioned to process that planned increase in volume. The Thompsons chose to work with SmartSteel Buildings for the shed build and together with the Project Manager Jamie Bevan the build is well underway The logistics of moving infrastructure from the existing plant into the new 4,500m2 packhouse will be the next challenge but with an attitude that reflects years of determination to succeed and a can-do approach, both Alan and Helen say the project’s end is very much in sight. “The new shed will be fully insulated and a much nicer, larger space for our staff to work in. Providing staff with the very best conditions has been key to the packhouse’s size and design.” In the past, on very hot days early in the packing season, when temperatures in winterless North have soared, the couple have bought staff ice-blocks to help them feel a little cooler. “We’re expecting the new shed to be in operation by late this year, with a formal opening early next year before the 2023 Kiwifruit packing season.” There will be increased automation on the packing side, and though these areas will require less staff, over-all the Thompson’s will need to employ more staff considering the increased volumes the packhouse will eventually process. Most of the Kiwifruit processed is of the Sungold variety with the balance in a small amount of green and the new Ruby Red variety popular in Asia. All fruit processed is marketed through Zespri’s global markets around the world. Along with the mainstay Kiwifruit crop, the plant is busy all year also processing Satsuma mandarins, Yenben lemons and Naval oranges. “We also have the capacity to process avocados. We need to be able to process other products to justify the investment.” Kiwifruit processing commences early March to early May while mandarins begin early April through to end of May or early June. And through winter, their crop of lemons is processed. “It means our plant is fully utilised and giving us the best current return. We’re fortunate also to have a really strong management team around us, ensuring compliance and quality are maintained throughout picking and processing.” When the doors are opened on Kainui’s new packhouse it will herald the beginning of the next chapter in the Thompson’s successful horticulture business.
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