More robots to wield knives at southern freezing works

By LIAM DANN

Southern meat company PPCS is about to add more robot workers to its freezing works team.

The company - in partnership with Scott Automation - has launched the second stage of its robotics programme with a $3 million cash injection from the Government's Technology for Business Growth fund, Australian meat company CRF and Meat and Livestock Australia.

Last year PPCS introduced the first robotic boning technology in New Zealand to its Silverstream Plant in Dunedin.

That knife-wielding robot specialised in removing the pelvic bone from a carcass - one of the most difficult cutting jobs for human workers.

The development team has now begun work on a robot which divides a whole carcass into prime cuts.

PPCS and Scott Automation have formed the company Robotic Technologies to develop the project.

The contract involves Robotic Technologies providing PPCS Silverstream with a pre-production prototype this season and an upgraded production model next season.

CRF will receive a production model next season. CRF processes meat for the Australian domestic market so will not compete with PPCS in international markets.

PPCS chief operating officer Keith Cooper said the project would allow the company to divert human labour from injury-prone parts of the production chain.

The robots are unlikely to cost human jobs for now as the industry still faces constant labour shortages.

Cooper said PPCS planned to make the technology available to the wider group, including Richmond Meats.