New Truganina facility chosen for advanced logistics capabilities
Automatic warehousing technology was the hook NewCold has hung the McCain Foods Australia contract from for its new Truganina facility.
The 10-year deal starting in July is part of the foods group’s “ongoing effort to improve supply chain efficiencies to help customers meet consumer demands”.
The facility, being built by storage equipment manufacturer Dematic, will consist of an integrated system combining automated pallet handling systems using in-house warehouse and control software developed by parent Dutch cold storage innovator NewCold Advanced Cold Logistics.
“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 says.
McCain Foods regional president for Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India and China Louis Wolthers says the McCain team is keen to see the outcomes of the new agreement take effect.
“From a sustainability perspective, through the use of the warehouse’s 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,” Wolthers adds.
From receipt, storing and subsequent retrieval of palletised products, the warehouse will use of unmanned stacker cranes, conveyors and automated truck unloading systems, all together capable of handling more than 11,000 pallet movements per day, his company says.
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.
Dairy company Fonterra has already signed a long-term agreement with NewCold.
“After the negotiations for the cold storage contract, Fonterra and NewCold also came to an understanding for an operational services agreement for Fonterra’s chilled products for which NewCold is developing a chilled store within visual range from the cold store,” NewCold revealed last month.