McCain Foods Australia has signed a ten-year contract with cold storage provider NewCold, which is currently constructing a fully automated facility in Truganina, Melbourne.
The facility will boast an integrated system combining automated, state-of-the-art pallet handling systems, as well as in-house warehouse and control software developed by its Dutch parent.
McCain Foods plans to be storing all of its frozen products at the automated facility by July 2017.
“The storage and handling of McCain’s frozen products in the new automated facility will give us a more stable temperature regime and highly accurate stock control,” McCain Foods ANZ supply chain director, Taso Kourou said.
McCain Food’s regional president for Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India & China, Louis Wolthers, said the McCain team is keen to see the outcomes of the new agreement.
“From a sustainability perspective, through the use of the warehouses’ highly controlled in-and-outflows combined with efficient cooling equipment, energy usage per pallet stored is up to 50 per cent lower compared to a conventional storage option.”
From receipt, storing and subsequent retrieval of palletised products, the warehouse makes use of unmanned stacker cranes, conveyors and automated truck unloading systems, which together are capable of handling more than 11,000 pallet movements per day, allowing McCain to more efficiently move stock out of the warehouse to customers.
McCain will also have access to continuous feedback on performance, service and efficiency, allowing for a great opportunity for continuous improvement through its supply and delivery methods.
The focus will be on recruiting local employees to staff the facility, with extensive skills and technology training for employees to ensure they can manage the facility at maximum efficiency. NewCold says its new warehouse is a first of its kind in Australia, and it will be open for business in Autumn 2017.
