Avo specialist marks Mack’s 150th year with the opening of a £3.5 million data-driven ripening centre that delivers consistent and flexible supply while reducing food waste and energy use.
The Mack name has always been synonymous with being at the forefront of quality and innovation in the UK produce industry. From the early days of trading at Covent Garden Market 150 years ago, to establishing Fresca Group in the midnoughties, and pioneering the development of the country’s largest glasshouse complex at Thanet Earth.
It’s somewhat fitting, in our 150th anniversary year, to proudly announce the launch of our latest investment at The Fresh Produce Centre in Paddock Wood, which sees the unveiling of a new £3.5m state-of-the art Ripening Centre of Excellence for The Avocado Company.
Ripening technology has evolved exponentially – from the traditional methods, that involved simple manipulation of temperature and the introduction of ethylene, to a far more complex and nuanced approach, which is scientific and data-driven. It includes some of the most sophisticated solutions, combining the latest controlled atmosphere technology with “smart” algorithm-based controls.
The undertaking of full-scale commercial trials has played a critical role in our journey. With two years of extensive and robust data, we have measured and understood the intricacies of each
country of origin, down to the localised differences in fruit maturity and development.
With our primary focus on delivering consistency for the consumer, we can inform the ripening protocols to deliver the optimum results for each batch. All while improving yields and delivering better returns for our growers, reducing waste and consuming less energy. This all results in a lower environmental impact. Our trials have proven that in practical application a hybrid solution not only uses leading technologies but also allows us to be flexible and agile, whilst ensuring the best quality supply to our customers every day.
The Avocado Company’s new ripening tech has the following benefits:
- Flexibility: to match fruit batches to the best ripening process for quality and availability.
- Gaseous control technology: improves consistency in pressure of the finished product.
- Decreased transpiration/evaporation: boosts shelf life. Chambers ripen and cool rather than using rapid coolers: allows for progressive rather than sequential ripening.
- Energy reduction: fans operate on demand only, with efficient heat exchange between sealed rooms.
In addition, a bespoke and unique Advanced Ripening Trial Room completes our new centre, allowing us to test sample batches ahead of full loading.
All of these elements are complimented by our most important asset: our people. The Avocado Company’s incredibly experienced team has extensive knowledge of seasonality and regional variables, and can anticipate, measure and conclude which ripening protocol is optimal to deliver the best quality and consistency. This is an exciting new chapter as we are equipping our avocado experts with the newest and finest ripening technology.
If this all sounds like complete and utter wizardry, contact our team for more information at hello@theavocadocompany.co.uk. Or call us on 01892 831244.