Italian innovation helps Zespri
Italian kiwifruit packhouses' experience in dealing with COVID-19 has helped New Zealand to fast-track innovation in its own packhouses to deal with stringent new safety regulations.
With phase one of the new building complex completed in April 2019, phase two has seen the completion of a new meeting wing featuring an additional 486m2 space, five meeting rooms and a demonstration kitchen. The building project saw Zespri work with a range of construction partners including Beca, Hawkins, Rider Levett Bucknall and Warren and Mahoney.
The office was officially opened by Minister of Agriculture, Hon Damien O’Connor, with four previous Zespri Chairmen - Craig Greenlees, Peter McBride, John Palmer and Doug Voss – cutting a commemorative ribbon in front of around 500 growers, Zespri customers, representatives from NZKGI, KVH and the post-harvest sector.
Zespri Chair Bruce Cameron said the completion of the complex represented a significant milestone for the kiwifruit industry.
“We’re very proud of our story and the contributions our industry has been able to make to growers and our local communities.
“This building was always designed to be a hub for the industry and to celebrate its completion with so many of our industry stalwarts and customers during Momentum 2020 is a fitting way for us to start what we hope will be another successful year for our industry.
“With the building’s completion and our recent brand refresh, Zespri now has an excellent platform for its next phase of growth which we hope will enable us to create continued strong returns for our growers and help people, communities and the environment around the world thrive through the goodness of kiwifruit.”
