BEVERAGE
MANUFACTURER
ACHIEVES
250% GROWTH
THROUGH
AUTOMATION
Dematic, a leading global
supplier of integrated
automated technology,
software and services to
optimise the supply chain,
has helped Asahi Beverages
to successfully increase
productivity by 250% with the
installation of an Automated
Storage and Retrieval System
(ASRS) in its new Heathwood
DC. The ASRS improves
the efficiency of warehouse
operations, reduces manual
processes and enables Asahi to
better service its customers.
Asahi Beverages is a leading
beverage company that
produces and distributes
alcoholic and non-alcoholic
products in Australia and
New Zealand, with a number
of distribution centres (DCs)
located across Australia.
Previously in Brisbane, Asahi
operated across multiple
locations and used manual
forklifts for block stacking,
which they found came with
a lot of disadvantages and
challenges.
“We previously had a very
labour intensive system in
place, with every truck that
came in having to be unloaded
by a forklift, we then had
to receive the paperwork
manually, check the pallets
manually, move the pallets into
the storage location and then
do all that in reverse to pick
them,” said Nathan Lucinsky,
Heathwood DC manager, Asahi.
In making the decision to
consolidate its sites into
one DC and upgrade to an
automated warehouse solution,
Asahi wanted to achieve a
number of benefits, including
reducing costs, improving
efficiency and productivity, and
being able to better meet the
needs of its customers.
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE THE COOKIE PROJECT
LAUNCHES CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN
Social enterprise The Cookie Project has today
launched its first crowdfunding campaign, to help
accelerate its next phase of growth in providing
employment pathways for Kiwis with disabilities.
Founded in June 2018, The Cookie Project is the first
company in New Zealand that only employs bakers
with disabilities, with a purpose of breaking down social
stigmas and demonstrating the value of those with
disabilities to the disabled themselves, and to society.
Since its inception, the social enterprise has provided
over 700 hours of paid employment, with all bakers paid
at least the national minimum wage of $17.70 an hour.
The Cookie Project is seeking to raise a minimum of
$40,000 via PledgeMe, with plans to use these funds
towards new equipment such as mixers and other
baking accessories, and operating costs such as
production overheads, product packaging, backend
systems upgrade and marketing resources.
Those who pledge to The Cookie Project’s campaign
can also choose among a range of rewards, including
cookie flavours not yet released to the public, branded
merchandise, hampers with products from partners
Lewis Road Creamery, Pic’s Peanut Butter and Trade
Aid, and interactive baking tour experiences.
Co-founder Graeme Haddon says the funds raised will
improve efficiency in the kitchen, and will be key in the
lead up to Christmas.
“We’ve reached a level where industrial mixers with
larger capacities are essential to cater for the number of
orders we receive each week - which we think is a great
problem to have.
“It’s incredible that what started in my home kitchen
just over 18 months ago has developed into a fullfledged
operation - we even have a number of corporate
organisations already placing their Christmas orders,”
Haddon adds.
Co-founder Eric Chuah says this crowdfunding
campaign marks a milestone for The Cookie Project and
its vision, especially in light of Disability Pride Week.
“We’re proud to have over 30 Kiwis with disabilities on
our current roster, who enjoy coming to work and feel
a sense of accomplishment through their employment.
We’re also proud to have thousands of Kiwis enjoy our
products and help contribute towards a more diverse
and inclusive Aotearoa.
“We thank everyone who has supported our social
enterprise to date and can’t wait to welcome more
bakers to our team as we continue to grow,” Chuah
concludes.
The crowdfunding campaign is now live and will run for
two weeks. To help The Cookie Project reach its target,
go to www.pledgeme.co.nz/projects/6288-help-uschange
bad-attitude-one-cookie-at-a-time.
pistachios throughout,” says Holly.
Japan-based Kiwi, Jess Gerrity, will
help create a richer experience for
Whittaker’s Chocolate Lovers as
they indulge in these new flavours,
by hosting a series of ‘travelogues’.
Jess has been based in Tokyo for 17
years and has paved a successful
career path as a kimono model, a TV
personality and a mum. Whittaker’s
Chocolate Lovers can follow
Whittaker’s Facebook page and
Instagram IGTV to see Jess taking
the ‘Home’ and ‘Away’ blocks to the
streets and giving an extra-delicious
taste of Japanese life.
Whittaker’s ‘Home’ and ‘Away’
blocks also feature striking
packaging created by local
designers, Len Cheeseman and
Geoff Francis, based on original
artworks from New Zealand and
Japan respectively. The design for
the ‘Home’ block is based on a
1930s painting of Mt Egmont by
Edward John Evelyn Holmwood,
held by NZ Archives, and the ‘Away’
block is based on an 1858 painting
of Mt Fuji by Utagawa Hiroshige.
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