Innovation
We embrace innovative technologies across our production chain to help us in ever more efficient and sustainable production of our world-class British berries.
Packhouse
​
Our packhouse is BRC (British Retail Consortium) accredited.
​
Using state-of-the-art technology we continually evolve our packhouse services to meet customer demand, and maintain our quality through food safety, product packing, despatch and delivery.
​
These are some of the technologies and practices currently in use and under regular review to improve our operational activities:
​
-
GT2 and GT4 Proseal heat sealing machines
​
-
Checkweighers for all production lines
​
-
Introduction of metal detectors
-
Reduction of packhouse operatives where necessary through technology
-
Cold storage capacity of 1150 pallets which includes our newly build 640m3 outloading coldstore with 3 loading bays
-
Loading facilities improved to reduce movement of sealed products ready for despatch
-
Raw produce movement kept to a minimum through the layout of the packhouse
-
Software introduced to streamline services.
In the fields
​
In the fields we use the latest innovations to help us grow and harvest our berries. Here are some practices we currently employ and continually assess to improve efficiency:
-
Automated radio-controlled irrigation systems – all our systems are digitally controlled for precision application to what the crops require. We’ve also introduced a misting system which cools crops based on the current humidity of the atmosphere.
​
-
French and Spanish tunnel construction – this extends the fruit season and increases productivity by protecting our crops from the variable UK weather patterns
​
-
Variety trials – we work with a number of breeding houses to find new high quality berries, so that we fulfill customer requirements
​
-
Table top production systems (introduced in 2011) help our productivity and efficiency for harvest
​​
-
Use of software programmes to record and review best practice
​
-
Raspberry longcane production – this offers flexibility and even supply of produce throughout the harvesting season.