Business Central
HORTICULTURE » Yummy Fruit Company
Ambrosia apples are the Yummy Fruit Company’s flagship product. is the biggest stone fruit producer in the country. Approximately 75% of what is produced on the orchard is consumed by the domestic market. For Paul, having consumers close to where the fruit is produced is really important. “There’s something lost in the relationship between supplier and consumer when you’re exporting products so far away. It’s about the time/ distance separation and for us our local market is incredibly important for that reason.” The Yummy ‘Apple in the Schools’ programme was introduced by the company as a way of encouraging healthy eating with a significant ‘payback’ for schools. Since starting the programme, which essentially turns apples eaten by students into sports equipment for their schools, some 800 schools have joined. When Business Central spoke with Paul the annual ‘sticker-count’ was about to get underway. “We literally have a room full of stickers collected by schools to count and for us is great to be able to provide money for sports gear in return.”
“Growing fruit of any sort is an enterprise not for the fainthearted as the ‘runway’ is very long between establishing the orchard and bearing a productive amount of fruit.” The programme is so successful that when Yummy Fruit Company thought about pulling the pin on the project the schools responded with a clear message that they wanted the programme to continue. Over half of the produce sold locally is marketed through Food Stuffs though in recent years Yummy Fruit has been increasingly sold through the increasing number of New Zealand independent and specialty stores.
Refrigeration specialists Hawke’s Bay Refrigeration has grown to become the region’s leading provider of specialised total in-house refrigeration solutions since founding in 1992. Founder and CEO Shayne Murphy says that in the nearly 25 years since establishing the company its size and capability has grown organically to the point now that it offers highly specialised refrigeration, air-conditioning and ventilation technology solutions servicing the domestic, commercial and industrial sectors, including the horticulture and food processing industries in Hawke’s Bay and throughout New Zealand. “The refrigeration industry is a continually evolving and expanding one, with the impact not only of new technology and its applications but also in the regulatory environment driven by the Government demanding greater efficiencies and environmental sustainability,” Shayne says. The company’s solutions driven design capability is its core strength enabling Hawkes Bay Refrigeration to take on complete go-to-whoa projects. Working in the design team alongside Shayne is Scott Klem and Mike McIvor with the remaining 36 team members employed as refrigeration engineers, installation technicians and support staff. Maintaining up to the minute understanding of new refrigeration technologies has always been a priority of the business and to support this Hawke’s Bay Refrigeration is a member of the ‘Climate Control Companies Association’, dedicated to promoting, controlling and steering the future directions of the refrigeration sector. “We are proud of the team we’ve built
over the years. They’re hard-working skilled practitioners across many disciplines, including refrigeration engineers with advanced trade, Fitter and turner, welders, buildings and electricians. “It means in most cases we have absolute control of the whole project. We have a significant number of repeat clients who come back to us because of this capability.” Hawke’s Bay’s Yummy Fruit Company is such a business. Having designed and built their large coolstores and controlled atmosphere coolrooms Hawke’s Bay Refrigeration has continued to enhance systems creating added energy and environmental efficiencies for the boutique apple exporter. The company also backs up it projects with ongoing maintenance contracts specifically tailored to meet the needs of clients. Hawke’s Bay Refrigeration understands the highly critical nature of the environmental and energy efficiencies demanded of today’s modern refrigeration plants. The company specialises in a wide range of systems and services for its commercial and industrial clients, including Ammonia refrigeration work, temperature-controlled processing rooms, cool rooms and freezer rooms, blast chilling units, industrial ventilation and cold stabilization systems for the wine industry to name a few. The company’s consultancy and design capability has continued to expand in scope and capability. “We understand just how critical it is to ensure optimum energy use and we tailor the design, manufacture and installation of our refrigeration and air-conditioning systems to exactly suit the specific context of each client’s project,” says Scott.
• Air conditioning • Refrigeration • Glycol • Preventative Maintenance • Building Warrant of Fitness When you call Hawke’s Bay Refrigeration for your refrigeration solution, we can provide you with a full design build service. HBR provide engineering solutions through innovative design. We draw our wealth of knowledge from many years and people operating within the local refrigeration industry. We take pride in our designs and have a committed team ready and able to provide your business a quality refrigeration solution.
Hawke’s Bay Refrigeration is proud to support The Yummy Fruit Company
Hastings 06 878 8002 Napier 06 835 8002
service@hbr.co.nz sales@hbr.co.nz
www.hbr.co.nz
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