Innovations
The Red Star Trading’s packaging and distribution centre was built in 2007 and brought into operation in July 2008. Prior to this the tomatoes were packed at different locations but this wasn’t the most ideal solution from the logistical viewpoint.
The building incorporates a lot of innovations such as the fully automated and conditioned storage warehouse, box folding machines, palletizers, a triangular tray filler, a closing track and trace system and the underground storage of heating and cooling capacity for heating the building in the winter and cooling it in the summer.
The ground floor is reserved for storage and loading and there are eleven packaging lines located on the first floor.
The tomatoes are given a thorough examination on receipt and they are then conditioned and stored until they are processed on the packaging lines according to the customer’s requirements. The order, which is entered by the Sales Department, controls the process and the first in, first out (FIFO) principle applies here. The correct number of tomatoes is automatically transported to the correct line and the boxes department is also given a signal and automatically sends the correct number of boxes that are required to the packaging line. The layout for the label that is required is also prepared on the printer. Production starts once this has all been checked.
|
