CMI Orchards Implements New Pear Packing Technology; Sarah Barkley Comments
WENATCHEE, WA - Pears have long been a fixture of the produce department, and as demand rises, so does the need for greater efficiency along the supply chain. CMI Orchards recognizes this, recently implementing new pear-packing technology.
“CMI always pushes for innovation, and we’re really excited to see our hard work come to fruition,” said CMI’s Sarah Barkley, Domestic Sales and Pear Lead, explaining how CMI has been working toward advancements in pear packing, marketing, and selling for some time now.
Among the innovations being developed and expanded is a new vent pattern, which provides efficiency at the warehouse level, according to a press release. Any reduction of steps in the packing process reduces cost, and this new vent pattern will be eliminating an entire step.
“Most of the steps of pear packing are manual; the shape of pears can prove a challenge when it comes to automating the process at all, so any effort to modernize reduces cost,” Barkley said. “This new vent pattern helps streamline the process, as well as improving airflow—which is crucial to control temperatures and retain moisture both on the packing line and through the ripening process.”
Barkley also shares that the implementation of SmartHarvest mobile ripening units is another exciting step in CMI’s ever-developing processes.
“Empowering our customers to confidently understand the ripeness of their fruit, and having influence over the ripening process, ensures that retailers are going to get more bang for their buck,” said Barkley. “With this development, retailers can offer their customers pears that are at optimal ripeness at point of purchase and ensure the best and most consistent eating quality at home, capturing repeat customers and boosting sales in the produce department.”
She continued, noting that this is the newest technology retailers can access.
“Any opportunity we have to be at the frontier of research and development for pears, we take,” explained Barkley. “That’s the sort of innovation we provide for our customers, too.”
As CMI continues to advance its operations, keep clicking back to ANUK.
