Founded in 2004, Frupac currently stores, ripens, packs and delivers a wide variety of fruit, salad and bulbs. But with the ability to accommodate a diverse range of products, its management board led by Jan Cook, says it is now ready to expand and take its business to the next level.
As packhouses go, Frupac’s site based at Yaxley, Peterborough, is not your average. It is practically brand-new by industry standards and everything is clean, bright and airy.
The company describes itself as ambitious, and “up and coming”, but its management team is quick to point out that the sector is changing. Supermarkets that traditionally used third-party packers are increasingly packing their fresh produce at source in order to keep outlay to a minimum. But despite the obvious financial benefits of this approach, Frupac says it is not always the easiest option. Everyday packing problems can be exacerbated by packing produce abroad; for example, a flawed consignment may need to be sent back, costing a lot of time and money. Frupac’s management team says it can solve this kind of problem for clients, and this is something many prospective customers find appealing.
Moreover, it says that as well as being able to accommodate a diverse range of goods, its recent substantial development means it can offer clients cutting-edge technology, and therefore an efficient service from door to distribution: “That’s one of our strengths - we can pick up the pieces and get out of the door in an efficient and effective way,” says business unit director Jan Cook.
Frupac works on a relatively simple basis, explains operations manager Alistair Pack: “Produce, which currently comes from all over the world, is delivered into our intake area, which is capable of holding 78 pallets of goods at one time - the equivalent of three vehicle loads. Product is then offloaded and sent off to the customers’ on-site quality-control facility,” he says. Frupac also has cold-storage units with a capacity of one thousand-pallets, as well as six ripening chambers, capable of holding 60 pallets, that are fully automatic.
The stock-management system uses fully bar-coded pallets enabling goods to be monitored on a live basis throughout the whole process.
“On the shop floor, 75 permanent staff undertake a variety of tasks including hand selection, flow wrapping, netting and heat-shrinking. Produce is then moved onto one of six loading bays, with a cold chain throughout supporting the entire process,” Pack adds.
The staff work on a four-day on, four-day off basis and Frupac brings in temporary reinforcements as and when they are needed.
Cook says that the key skills and competences of its employees are very important within the company and Frupac is looking to build on this further by obtaining Investor’s in People accreditation - a business improvement tool designed to advance an organisation’s performance through its people by providing a framework for companies to work from. “The service we provide is selling labour and selling people’s skills - that’s what we do,” she says. “We’re now going for Investor’s in People. It’s very important for us because without the best people, the best knowledge and the best training, we can’t give our customers the best service.”
She says the fact that the company uses only one agency for its staff helps it keep a consistently high standard, which is integral to the smooth-running and excellent process flow within the business.
In looking ahead, the company has recently expanded its facilities to offer clients a comprehensive service, with haulier Funstons building a base on-site. The building will be officially completed in October, and according to Cook, will be an asset to the business. “We work very closely with them,” she says.
The business plan going forward is extremely broad, according to Cook, and the company is willing to look at almost anything and invest in any expansion needed. “We can pack anything we can fit into our business model,” she says. We have the ability to expand and we are now looking for new opportunities.”
She describes Frupac’s management as a dynamic, enthusiastic, and motivated team that is willing to do what it takes to make the Frupac business a success. The company is already in talks with a range of prospective clients and has the determination to expand. “We are now approaching three years in the fresh produce packing business and are committed to building on the success already achieved,” she says. “Our aim is simply to be the best that we can be.’’
No comments yet