Date: Wednesday, 21 January 2009

The recent installation of a new $2M Microwaveable Cup Filling Line at Heinz Australia's NSW facility proved beyond doubt the adaptability, above-and-beyond service and sheer professionalism of Select Packaging and G Mondini in the eyes of it's exacting client.

"Despite a last minute change of location from New Zealand to Australia at the implementation stage, Select and Mondini still delivered the project on time and effectively on budget," explains Engineering Manager for Heinz Australia, Aaron Arthur.

"Their achievement and dedication to the project impressed us greatly, especially in light of the very challenging and unexpected circumstances we presented them with at the eleventh hour."

The circumstances Aaron refers to were as follows; the original project brief required Select and G Mondini to design an integrated packaging line for the Heinz range of 430g plastic tub microwaveable soups and meals. The line was to be installed at one of Heinz' New Zealand facilities but due to strategic reasons, had to be quickly redesigned and relocated to the organisation's NSW facility at the last minute.

"Design had already been completed and delivery for NZ was only 3 months away when various issues arose that prevented us going ahead with the original plan," Aaron says.

"Even though this unforeseen change was sprung on Select and Mondini, neither organisation missed a beat. In conjunction with our engineers, Mondini immediately began completely redesigning and adapting the integrated system straight away and Select set about organizing the appropriate contingencies for delivery and installation.

"At this point, my colleagues and I considered our deadline and budget extremely ambitious but they amazed us all; the redesign process and installation of the system in Australia only extended the delivery time by 2 months and still allowed to produce stock before the 2008 soup season."

This early delivery impacted Heinz outcomes in a very positive way, enabling them to deliver all output targets to date.

"We went into double shift for the winter soup market as we usually do, but the ramp-up of the equipment went so well we had enough contingency stock earlier than expected and were then able to revert to a single shift after only three months," Aaron says.

"Reflecting on the experience, there was certainly potential for things to go pear-shaped, but thanks to the effectiveness of Select and Mondini, they didn't. It was very impressive."