Integrated packaging line for Heinz

A G Mondini $2m microwaveable cup filling line has recently been installed at Heinz Australia’s NSW facility.

“Despite a last-minute change of location from New Zealand to Australia at the implementation stage, Select and Mondini still delivered the project on time and effectively on budget,” explains Engineering Manager for Heinz Australia, Aaron Arthur.

The original project brief required Select Packaging and G Mondini to design an integrated packaging line for the Heinz range of 430 g plastic tub microwaveable soups and meals. The line was to be installed at one of Heinz’s New Zealand facilities but, due to strategic reasons, had to be quickly redesigned and relocated to the organisation’s NSW facility at the last minute.

“Design had already been completed and delivery for NZ was only three months away when various issues arose that prevented us going ahead with the original plan,” Arthur says.

“Even though this unforeseen change was sprung on Select and Mondini, neither organisation missed a beat. In conjunction with our engineers, Mondini immediately began completely redesigning and adapting the integrated system straight away and Select set about organising the appropriate contingencies for delivery and installation.

“At this point, my colleagues and I considered our deadline and budget extremely ambitious but they amazed us all; the redesign process and installation of the system in Australia only extended the delivery time by 2 months and still allowed us to produce stock before the 2008 soup season.”

This early delivery impacted Heinz outcomes in a positive way, enabling them to deliver all output targets to date.

“We went into double shift for the winter soup market as we usually do, but the ramp-up of the equipment went so well we had enough contingency stock earlier than expected and were then able to revert to a single shift after only three months,” Arthur says.