This project underwent a phased approach, divided into four stages, with the initial two stages completed ahead of the 2018 kiwifruit season. Executed under an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) agreement between Form and JACE Group, these stages aimed to construct a state-of-the-art 17,000m² packhouse and cool storage facility. This ambitious endeavour involved the collaboration between the two entities, providing valuable insights into time, cost and methodology, resulting in the incorporation of 850 tonnes of structural steel, 7,000m³ of concrete, and a 17,000m² roof area.
Stage 1 comprised six precoolers, ten coolstores, an office for loading, a forklift recharge room, MCC room, plant room, loadout canopy, and a four-truck loadout dock. The precision required during plant installation necessitated careful coordination and accurate setting out.
In Stage 2, additional features included a bin curing store, bin tip area, eight controlled atmosphere stores, a packing line, office space, cafeteria, mezzanine floor of approximately 3,060m², and two industrial lifts. External developments featured an 8,500m² concrete ring road and expansive car park.
Despite the stringent project delivery timeline, meticulous planning and top-notch management facilitated the achievement of both stage targets, ensuring the operational readiness of the packing line and coolstore for the 2018 season.
A subsequent collaboration between Form and JACE for Stage 4 have positioned the completed facility as the largest individual post-harvest site in New Zealand, specifically designed for processing kiwifruit in a fully temperature-controlled environment – a groundbreaking initiative in the country. The project has elevated Mpac’s capacity to handle 30 million trays of kiwifruit per season.
Stage 4 included an advanced packhouse, bin curing room, 17 controlled atmosphere stores, four additional coolstores, and a packhouse tailored for efficient kiwifruit packing.
Despite challenges with COVID-related lockdowns affecting supply chains and labour, the relentless management drive and a commitment to refining construction methodologies allowed all three stages of this project to be delivered on time with minimal defects. This successful execution enabled the seamless integration of the new facilities into the existing infrastructure, minimising disruptions for our client.
