FRUITPACKERs (hb)
Co-operative Limited (Fru-Pak) and Freshco have announced the formation of a new joint venture company, to be known as Freshco Fruitpackers Ltd.
The company was launched this week to export Hawkes Bay-grown apples and pears produced by growers from both Fru-Pak and Freshco Hawkes Bay. Packing and cool-storage will take place at Fru-Pak’s Whakatu, site and the business will be managed by Fru-Pak’s Chris Dillon.
The founding principles are to integrate growing, packing, cool-storage, shipping and marketing, to create a seamless operation between orchard and market.
Chris Dillon from Fru-Pak will become general manager of Freshco Fruitpackers Ltd. “Significant progress has been made by integrating our joint marketing initiatives into a single plan, as we drive towards the common goal of maximising returns for our growers,” he said. “A fully integrated operation will allow further enhancement in lining up the right fruit to the best end use, and allow better overall quality management throughout the supply chain.”
The New Zealand company will work with OrchardWorld in the UK. “The key element is that it provides sustainable growing,” said OrchardWorld md Mark Culley. “It will mean we will be able to influence the decisions being taken in the orchard and it will absolutely benefit our customer, Sainsbury’s.”
Freshco director Greig Taylor added: “The single site integration to the existing Fruitpackers packing facility is beneficial for all involved. The concept of a totally integrated post-harvest and marketing business owned by growers, delivering maximum grower returns, while serving our customers better, was our focus.”
Dillion believes “the opportunity to provide an apple post-harvest and logistics business that is totally aligned with its supply base and their market, was a necessary step in what is a very competitive business”. l
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