| 55 Future positive for Mpac Mpac has achieved its goal of being the most automated packhouse in the kiwifruit industry. T T from page 52 Mount Pack and Cool REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT “We have had a record crop this last season and in conjunction with that fruit quality has been very good, as was the weather, and labour availability. It was a harvest where all the stars aligned and so far everything is going well with the fruit selling to the market. “So it looks as though it’s going to be a good year, which is long overdue after the last couple of years, so that’s good for the growers. But what we have been very successful in doing is picking up a greater market share and converting more growers over to Mpac, and that is about providing customer service, performance, and the capacity that we have added into the industry. And it’s about the pricing we can offer growers as a result of all those things.” Brendon also acknowledges that Mpac has worked very hard at fostering that small family business vibe, despite now being a large organisation employing over 100 permanent full time staff. “That is part of the DNA that we instil throughout the company, and the growers appreciate that personal touch. They put a lot or value and trust in relationships, and don’t like to be just a number. It is an important factor.” Mpac has also achieved its goal of being the most automated packhouse in the kiwifruit industry, streamlined from the moment the kiwifruit bin arrives to the point that the last pallet leaves, and done with the least amount of human interaction as possible. “We have leveraged on all the latest automation that was available to the kiwifruit industry to make the process efficient and productive, with those savings passed on to growers. That has also helped with our growth strategy. The same with our coolstores. They have been streamlined with available automation implemented, and that is also paying dividends with efficient rates and savings for growers.” While Mpac was already well on the automation pathway when Covid struck Kiwi shores, Brendon says there is absolutely nothing like a global pandemic to heighten the need to take action. “The kiwifruit industry had always relied on a higher influx of seasonal staff, be that backpackers or RSE workers, and we quickly learned that we were quite susceptible to the borders closing. So yes, the need for automation was certainly underlined.” Mpac’s team of full time permanent staff are drawn from the local Tauranga region and cover a broad range of roles from administration, production, quality logistics, coolstore operation, repairs & maintenance, forklift drivers, grower services liaison, through to management and the executive team. “Some of our people are founding employees, and we always celebrate milestones and anniversaries. It is nice to acknowledge and reward those staff who have been with us for quite some time now.” During the busy three months harvest period of March, April, May, Mpac operates 24/7 and team numbers swell by about 800 during harvest time across the coolstore and packhouse operations, with multiple shifts and rotating people to give them a couple of days off a week. Promoting within is one of Mpac’s key values, with external appointments only occurring in the absence of a suitable candidate within the existing team. “There are people now in senior management roles that started off on the floor as seasonal staff, and have progressed through the various ranks. So there are good development pathways and because we have had so much growth it offers more opportunities to bring staff through. We also run staff development and leadership courses annually to upskill our staff. Mpac has been such a success story in the industry and it has got our name and brand out there. People like job security and if they see a company that is growing and doing well then typically they will gravitate to those companies. People also like an opportunity to grow and develop, and we have had a lot of people visit us, looking for an opportunity. That has made for a really strong team.” While seldom having time to reflect on everything that has been achieved over the last few years, Brendon admits to being immensely proud of what the company has achieved, what the staff have achieved, and what he has achieved to date. “It has not been without its blood, sweat and tears but it has certainly been one hell of a ride. What we have got to today should not be underestimated. I’m immensely proud.” “We have leveraged on all the latest automation that was available to the kiwifruit industry to make the process efficient and productive....” PROUDLY SUPPLY AND SUPPORT MOUNT PACK N COOL 9-11 Diversey Lane, Manukau | Telephone: 0508 472 553 or 09 277 9224 E-mail: sales@bigtuff.co.nz | www.bigtuffpallets.co.nz • Industrial Pallets • Horticultural Pallets • Custom Crates & Bins • Export Heat Treatment • Recycled Pallets & Repair Services • Cut to length timber
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