Leading kiwifruit supplier EastPack on Wednesday 4 September celebrated 30 years of packing kiwifruit, the company reported in a press release.
EastPack, which recently became the largest post-harvest kiwifruit operator after its merger with Satara earlier this year, has been led by CEO Tony Hawken since its inception.
“From day one, we have always had, and continue to have, a reputation for looking after our growers no matter how challenging the circumstances,” Hawken is reported as saying in EastPack’s press release.
“As a grower-owned company, EastPack growers share in the company’s financial success. We consistently deliver industry-leading orchard gate returns (OGR) through our operational efficiencies, inventory management and our grower-owned structure.”
EastPack was the only packhouse to see Orchard Gate Return (OGR) of more than NZ$5 per tray this season, the highest since 2003.
Earlier this year in May, the company announced a $7.5m profit before tax for 2012, after paying a rebate of NZ$0.20 (US$0.16) in June that year.
“We packed 21.7 million trays this season during what was a very concentrated packing period. Our combined capacity across our six sites enabled us to process approximately 20 percent of our total crop in one week – that’s 4.8 million trays,” Hawken reported.
“That is testament to our loyal growers, our Growing Excellence LEAN manufacturing principles, and our ongoing investment in technology and our staff.”
The company’s Growing Excellent process and plant improvements have saved it an estimated 28 per cent in costs in four years.
