16 | EastPack T T Russell Fredric Major boost for gold kiwifruit processing EastPack has six sites across Bay of Plenty, annually processing about 53 million trays of kiwifruit which represents a quarter of New Zealand’s total production. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT A major upgrade in progress at EastPack’s Edgecumbe packhouse is the “final piece in a long-term upgrade plan”, Chief Executive Hamish Simson says. The kiwifruit processor is building a packing shed to house a new hi-tech, high volume European-manufactured MAF Roda grader. The grader is the latest iteration in EastPack’s automation journey consisting of advanced camera grading, high speed operation and automated packing. The final-stage investment of $25 million is the culmination of a five-year upgrade to the Edgecumbe site which started with upgraded controlled atmosphere and new cool storage. The massive investment is a sign of EastPack’s confidence in the growth of the gold kiwifruit production in Edgecumbe and surrounding regions, Hamish says. The new packing shed is expected to be completed this March. “We needed a much bigger shed to fit the [MAF Roda] machine in. It sounds like a lot of money, but actually this is the final piece of the puzzle. That’s following a whole lot more controlled atmosphere and cool storage infrastructure.” A grower owned cooperative, EastPack has six sites across Bay of Plenty, annually processing about 53 million trays of kiwifruit which represents a quarter of New Zealand’s total production. EastPack’s role comprises processing and packing, orchard management, and grower advocacy, with Zespri being the sole marketing and sales arm of the New Zealand kiwifruit industry. The kiwifruit harvest season typically runs from March to June, cycling through a small volume of red, then gold, which has the highest volume, and finally green. “EastPack itself is the largest processor in the industry in terms of post-harvest and we’re the only co-op in the industry; we are owned 100% by our growers.” The massive growth in the industry has been driven by demand for Gold Kiwifruit. Eleven years ago, EastPack was processing a total of 25 million trays and has doubled in size since then. “Edgecumbe’s been a real success story in terms of kiwifruit. EastPack’s first site was here, and it is still growing strongly today.” EastPack started automating its graders about six years ago, using a combination of internationally sourced and in-house developed machinery. “Last year we converted two other sites to full automation and now it’s Edgecumbe’s turn. The big investment is because we need a brand-new grader to hang the automation off, a high speed grader with full automation.” The investment is also an endorsement of the company’s commitment to the highest level of service to its suppliers, with capacity and cost effectiveness being keys to further growing the business. At its core, Hamish says EastPack is aiming to achieve the highest possible pack-out volume of class one fruit which is the quality required for export. “Having technology means we can be really accurate, so our growers get really good packouts. It means we can run to the maximum possible tolerance on the class one pack out. That’s what we’re really trying to do.” The current season is looking great, Hamish says. “Assuming there’s no damage from the [January cyclone] rain, it’s been an amazing growing season; we haven’t struggled for water that’s for sure. This will basically tide us through to harvest.” Industrial Controls are proud to support Eastpack. Providing industrial electrical engineering & automation services TELEPHONE EMAIL icch@icch.co.nz WEBSITE www.icch.co.nz POSTAL PO BOX UPPER RICCARTON / CARLYLE STREET INDUSTRIAL CONTROLS CHRISTCHURCH LTD
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