Tim Bond accepts prestigious award for the Aporo robotic fruit packer

Aporo II Robotic Produce Packaging Machine

The Aporo robotic Ppackaging machine

Tim Bond from J-Tech Systems has won the 2022 IFPA Tech Innovation Award, proudly sponsored by UPL.

The award was presented at the Hort Connections Gala Dinner in Brisbane on Wednesday (8 June).

Bond and the J-Tech team were recognised for the Aporo robotic fruit packer, which offers a solution to labour shortages and margin challenges at packhouse level.

Bond said the solution underlines J-Tech’s continued focus on combatting these challenges.

“It is an honour to be recognised for innovation. It runs the heart of what we do. Our focus is on better outcomes for customers,” said Bond. “Aporo is so versatile for sheds of different shapes and formats, we are excited to continue our plans in expanding into new categories.”

This year’s Tech Innovation Award attracted a strong field of entrants, with the winning entry being selected from a field of five finalists. The four other finalists were:

  • Coolsan Australia with ChillSafe
  • James Altmann and Lachlan Chilman from Biological Services with their Sachet Technology
  • MagrowTec team with MagGrow Technology
  • Claire Zoellner on behalf of the Cornell and iFoodDS team with the FInd CoV Control

The five finalists presented their products at the UPL Tech Innovation Showcase on the Hort Connections trade show floor on Tuesday (7 June).

Each entry was assessed on how the technology tackled issues in the fresh produce industry, and the success in addressing these challenges.

“It was great to see such a wide range of entries this year – running right through the supply chain and this year even including a health focus,” said Darren Keating, IFPA A-NZ chief executive.

“With the past couple of years being challenging for many businesses in our industry it is great to see that the focus on innovation has remained putting a positive light on the future.”

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