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Alliance Group general manager processing and safety, Wayne Shaw, says the technology has improved the health and safety of employees, unlocked advantages of scale and lifted the efficiency and competitiveness of the plant.
Alliance Group has launched a new $16 million warehouse technology system at its Lorneville plant near Invercargill.
The fully integrated storage and warehouse management system for frozen products introduces automation to the warehousing process, using automated shuttle vehicles rather than manual lifting for the storage and retrieval of product.
Product is then automatically moved through the warehouse and palletised without being touched by human hands.
Wayne Shaw, general manager processing and safety, Alliance Group, says the technology has improved the health and safety of employees, unlocked advantages of scale and lifted the efficiency and competitiveness of the plant.
“Previously more than 60 people were required to work in the warehousing operation during peak processing, manually handling boxes of fresh product, each weighing around 22kg,” Shaw says.
He says that lifting poses a risk of muscular skeletal injury to Alliance’s employees.
“The system also includes a more effective stacking system for frozen boxes, minimising product damage and potential safety risks,” Shaw adds. “It has enabled improved handling of cartons and product and reduced the use of forklifts.”
Shaw says the investment in the system reflects the co-operative’s commitment to both the Lorneville site and the wider Southland region.
“We have been continually investing in Lorneville over the past five years including the opening of a new venison plant and the installation of primal cutters for processing,” he says.
No job losses have occurred as a result of the project, with existing staff re-deployed.
Alliance Group has turned a corner on a challenging two years following a comprehensive re-set over the past 18 months and is forecasting a return to profitability, farmer-shareholders were told at the company’s annual meeting in Gore today.
Reeling from two consecutive years of heavy losses, Alliance says it has appointed Craigs Investment Partners to explore external capital-raising options.
Meat company Alliance has posted a second consecutive trading year of a heavy loss.
Three candidates are running for two vacant seats on the board of meat co-operative Alliance.
Farmers are welcoming potential collaboration between the country's two major meat processors.
Confidence is flowing back into the farming sector on the back of higher dairy and meat prices, easing interest rates and a more farmer-friendly regulatory environment.
Ham has edged out lamb to become Kiwis’ top choice for their Christmas tables this year.
Dairy Women’s Network (DWN) has announced real estate company Bayleys will be the naming partner for its 2025 conference.
As New Zealand enters the summer months, rural insurer FMG is reminding farmers and growers to take extra care with a new campaign.
Hato Hone St John is urging Kiwis to have a safe summer this year.
Hawke’s Bay’s Silt Recovery Taskforce has received the Collaboration Excellence Award at the Association of Local Government Information Management (ALGIM) Awards.
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