Zespri boxes

New Zealand kiwifruit marketer Zespri expects to save NZ$5m annually by implementing a new process management philosophy designed to trim waste.

The LEAN manufacturing system will eventually save Zespri NZ$10m annually, the company said.

Cutting down on storage space, freight and other efficiencies will save Zespri NZ$3-4m a year.

Putting more containers on charter vessels will yield saving of NZ$2.9m per season.

Zespri has also begun improving the efficiency of its cool store practices, which include new technology that will shave 15 per cent off power consumption, a saving of NZ$500,000 annually across the industry.