By combining FoodCap’s capsule technology with Simpro’s established relationships across the New Zealand food processing industry, the new partnership will introduce the innovative handling solution to a wider local audience and help reduce the economic and environmental impact of feeding people.
FoodCap was established more than a decade ago with the vision of developing a better system for handling and storing fresh and chilled meat, taking cost and waste out of the supply chain.
However, the company realised its technology could be repurposed to solve materials handling issues across the wider processed food industry, which is where Simpro’s expertise comes in.
The Auckland-based handling equipment original equipment manufacturer (OEM) has been supplying solutions to New Zealand food processors since 1986 and has established relationships across the industry.
FoodCap CEO Julian Beavis said the partnership made good business sense.
Simpro can focus on selling capsules and handling equipment to New Zealand domestic food companies, which is their specialty, and FoodCap can focus on offshore expansion and the R and D of specialised solutions that reduce the economic and environmental impact of feeding people.
Julian Beavis - CEO - FoodCap International Ltd
For Simpro, who were originally contracted by FoodCap to develop specialised handling equipment for the capsules, the partnership closes the loop on their food-grade product offering.
Simpro General Manager, Daniel Currie said many domestic food processors still use concerning practices for hygiene-critical handling, such as wheelie bins, and others use European-standard bins or Eurobins.
“The FoodCap capsules offer advantages over both – both in terms of ergonomics and food safety and cost – and the whole system was developed in New Zealand by our two companies.”
Currie said since both companies have received support from Callaghan Innovation, the FoodCap system could be considered something of a national champion in the field of hygiene-critical materials handling; a field traditionally dominated by large European companies.