Grower-owned kiwifruit post-harvest company EastPack plans to invest about $15 million in new packing and cool storage capacity to meet volume growth, says chairman Ray Sharp.
The expansion will include installing a new nine-lane grader and a new cool store for up to two million trays at its Washer Rd, Te Puke, facility in time for the 2015 season.
EastPack will also increase cool store capacity at Collins Lane, Te Puke, for an additional 400,000 trays and expand its Optic cool store to provide capacity for an extra 500,000 trays.
"As well as significant capital investment in high-quality plant and equipment, our expansions will provide employment opportunities for people within our communities, and increase career opportunities for some who are already part of the EastPack team," Mr Sharp said.
The investment is part of EastPack's positioning for greatly increased volumes expected in the industry next season.