Whitehall Fruitpackers Case Study

Objectives

Whitehall Fruitpackers aimed to enhance their post-harvest operations by improving efficiency, increasing throughput, and ensuring gentle handling of fruit to maintain quality. Their goal was to implement a reliable automation solution that could streamline processes and meet growing operational demands.

The Problem

Whitehall Fruitpackers relied on a workforce of 20 people for labour-intensive tasks such as bagging boxes, folding bags, and closing box lids. These manual processes limited throughput, increased inefficiencies, and posed challenges in maintaining consistent fruit quality throughout the packing process.

The Solution

Punchbowl Automation collaborated with Whitehall to develop and implement a tailored automation system designed to address their unique operational challenges. In partnership with Niverplast, Punchbowl specified and integrated two Speedyplast bagging machines, two Speedyfold bag-folding machines, and two ARKMUS lidders into the packing line. This automation eliminated the need for 20 manual labour positions, allowing staff to be redeployed to other parts of the business.

In addition to the significant labour savings, the automated solution dramatically improved the consistency of the finished product, enhanced throughput, and ensured gentle, precise handling of fruit to maintain quality. This partnership highlights Punchbowl Automation’s commitment to delivering innovative, customised solutions that enhance efficiency, improve product quality, and support sustainable growth for their clients.