42 | REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Thomas Bros Orchards T T Kelly Deeks Technology powering orchard’s growth The Thomas family’s orchard business has grown from humble beginnings to a thriving, multi-fruit enterprise producing apples, cherries, and kiwifruit across more than 140ha of fertile land. “We used to manually grade fruit into classes one through four, but AI gives us much greater precision.” A family business that has weathered more than a century of change and challenge, Thomas Bros Orchards in Riwaka is now charging into the future with cutting-edge technology and a dynamic sixth-generation leadership team at the helm. Founded in the late 1800s by settlers in Tasman’s Dehra Doon Valley, the Thomas family’s orchard business has grown from humble beginnings to a thriving, multi-fruit enterprise producing apples, cherries, and kiwifruit across more than 140ha of fertile land. Today, brothers Bill and Fred Thomas continue the legacy, supported by their sons and extended family, who are deeply involved in the orchards and post-harvest operations. “We’ve always been a family that works together and gets along,” Bill says. “Everyone’s on the same page, and that’s what keeps the business moving forward.” This season has brought favourable weather, with rain arriving at just the right times to support healthy crops. “Kiwifruit volumes are back to normal after last year’s dry spell, and apple harvest is tracking for an average but steady season,” says Bill. “The markets are also looking strong, particularly in Europe and Asia, which is a positive sign.” With 70ha each of apples and kiwifruit, and 2.5ha of cherries, the business is a model of diversification. Cherries, harvested from November to January, play a key role in staff retention and revenue, bridging the seasonal gap between spring and the main apple harvest in February. Their orchard shop, which sells fresh cherries, fruit boxes, and real fruit ice-cream, is a major drawcard during the summer holiday season. Behind the scenes, Thomas Bros is embracing technology at pace, particularly in its post-harvest facilities. A kiwifruit packhouse established just three years ago has already been significantly upgraded with the introduction of artificial intelligence and automated sorting systems. The high-tech gear can take up to 60 images of each individual fruit, detecting defects like stem splits or hail damage with pinpoint accuracy. “This new system is the simplest and most efficient I’ve come across,” Bill says. “It boxes fruit without anyone needing to touch it. We’ve reduced our labour needs by 30 people and improved consistency across the board.” The apple side of the operation is following suit, with similar automation systems now in place to help sort and grade fruit according to export requirements. These systems not only improve efficiency, but also reduce waste and enhance product quality, both critical factors in competitive international markets. “We used to manually grade fruit into classes one through four, but AI gives us much greater precision,” Bill says. “It’s been especially valuable in picking up weather-related damage from this season that’s hard to see with the naked eye.” The younger generation has been instrumental in driving the adoption of these technologies. Bill’s oldest son manages the apple blocks, while his son-in-law runs the kiwifruit packhouse. Meanwhile, his brother’s sons oversee the post-harvest side, including the cherry and apple facilities. “They’ve really kept us ahead of the game,” Bill says. “If it wasn’t for them, we would have slipped behind. They see the benefits of innovation and aren’t afraid to try something new.” That forward-thinking approach was also evident in the development of their latest apple orchard, built in 2021 with the help of Hortivate’s complete growing system. Designed for high-density planting and longterm productivity, the orchard integrates hail protection and efficient installation features that align with the Thomas’ focus on sustainability and quality. “The ease of having the whole system delivered at once made things simple,” Bill says. “It allowed us to get the orchard up and running quickly using a broader range of staff.” As the business continues to grow, Thomas Bros remains grounded in its roots of family values, community ties, and a deep respect for the land. “We’ve been here a long time,” Bill says. “And we plan to keep growing for many years to come.” CoolLogic - Proud to support Thomas Bros Ltd
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