AMPC worked with V&V Walsh to trial a container handling system to eliminate the need for daily transport of product to cold storage facilities and reduce storage costs.
The Easi-Load TRU-DOCK system creates a seal around the container that allows it to remain cold. Carcases can then be moved into the container under active refrigeration in comparison to the previous process where carcases are moved through a non-refrigerated area to get into the container.
AMPC Co-Innovation Manager Lauren Smith said, "If a processor uses offsite freezing there can be considerable resources involved in transporting product offsite and constraints in production levels and timeframes for containers to be full enough to ship".
“This trial focused on delivering a system that would allow V&V Walsh to transfer smallstock carcases directly into active freezer container storage, ready for loadout and export. In the previous process, product was handled several times, which increases the risk of compromising product quality and interrupting cold chain integrity and efficiency. This container loading solution reduced handling by up to 200 per cent”.
The new system helped the processing plant to expand export capability with a 150 per cent increase of refrigerated containers delivered directly to port over 12 months.
V&V Walsh chief executive officer Brent Dancer said, “The Easi-load TRU-DOCK system increased our export capability, we were able to send an additional 1.5 containers per week and take extra orders for frozen carcases that would not have been possible prior to installation”.
“It also reduced storage costs by eliminating our reliance on external cold storage. The container carrier allowed us to secure, and store refrigerated containers onsite, ready to be used when needed”.
“We also installed a Moicon container carrier to assist with onsite loading and container movement. Which means we don’t have to wait for a truck to come and take away a full container and potentially be disrupted by availability”.
If you are currently using external cold storage facilities and would like more information about the new container loading system, contact your AMPC co-innovation manager.
For more information about the trial, visit the AMPC website at: https://www.ampc.com.au/research-development/advanced-manufacturing/easi-load-tru-dock-container-to-building-integration-innovation