Redcliffe Oxley Meats has moved from manual to automated wrapping with a new semi-automatic wrapper from Ishida, supplied by Heat and Control, to elevate its packaging process.
Redcliffe Oxley Meats, an award-winning local butcher in Queensland, has built a strong reputation over the past 20 years. For owner and manager Paul Robson, product presentation and display in the shop is crucial. He knows an attractive display creates a positive first impression, drawing customers in and showcasing his commitment to quality, hygiene, and stocking a variety of products. A well-organised shop layout – with clearly labelled and neatly packaged products – makes it easy for his customers to find what they need.
The Challenge
The business relied on a manual process to wrap and weigh the extensive selection of meat products. Maintaining high standards of weighing, packaging, and presentation was time-consuming and labour-intensive. The 25-year-old manual hand wrapper was prone to bubbles and leaks, impacting presentation and adding to the workload when products needed to be rewrapped.
These challenges were especially pronounced during weekend shifts when fewer staff members were available. A significant portion of the workload during these times was dedicated to weighing and wrapping products, demanding considerable time and effort. It prevented staff from focusing on other essential tasks, like assisting customers, or resetting the store for the week of trade ahead.
The Solution
To tackle these challenges, Redcliffe Oxley Meats opted to automate its manual wrapping process with a semi-automatic wrapper from Ishida. The business invested in an Ishida WM-Nano Wrapper supplied by Ishida Commercial Products (ICP), a division of Heat and Control, a leading equipment manufacturer for the global food industry.
“The WM-Nano is a game-changer,” Robson enthuses. “It wraps up to 15 packs per minute – perfectly every time – without any bubbles or leaks.” Not only is the WM-Nano fast and efficient, but it saves us film use. “We've cut our film usage by around 30 per cent compared to wrapping by hand,” Robson notes.
In addition to its practical application, Robson was able to claim an immediate tax deduction for the equipment, under the government’s instant asset write-off scheme, currently applicable for the 2024-2025 income year.
Redcliffe Oxley Meats now has the high-quality wrapping equipment solution it needed – to elevate its weighing and packaging process – enhancing both efficiency and product quality.
Installation
During installation, the ICP representative meticulously downloaded, inspected, and cleaned all of the butcher’s PLU data from the old scale before uploading it to the new Ishida WM-Nano auto-wrapper. Additionally, they ensured that all of the wrapper’s data, including tray, label, and PLU data, was securely backed up via a USB memory stick, ensuring data integrity and swift recovery in case of emergencies.
While the Nano Wrapper has Wi-Fi capabilities (making it easy to connect to a back-office computer and allowing unlimited PLU storage), Robson opted for a stand-alone setup.
The Result
Following implementation of the WM-Nano Wrapper from Ishida Commercial Products, Redcliffe Oxley Meats has experienced notable improvements in day-to-day operations. According to Robson, the adoption of this equipment has significantly increased productivity, product quality, and customer service. The installation of the new automatic wrapper has dramatically reduced the time spent wrapping – resulting in improved overall productivity and efficiency. Moreover, the equipment has enhanced the quality and presentation of his meat products, with a steady stream of perfectly wrapped meat trays consistently filling the displays.
This article was first published in the September-October 2024 print issue of PKN Packaging News, in the Machinery Matters supplement, page 66.
