NZ: Simply Squeezed to squeeze more local oranges
Chief executive Adrian Barr said the strategy was two-fold - sourcing more oranges under contract in New Zealand, and investing in greater processing facilities at its Bayview operation in Hawke’s Bay.
The expansion includes a new fruit processing line, which will double capacity to manage increased fruit supply and ongoing demand for juice.
"Our investment is good news for both the local and national economy. It demonstrates a long-term commitment to growing the business, the economy, and supporting our growers and wider industry," said Mr Barr.
"Growing New Zealand oranges reduces our reliance on imports, and in our mind New Zealand oranges make better tasting juice, even when blended with imported ingredients," he said.
"By 2016 Simply Squeezed expects to grow fruit processing to more than 10,000 tonnes as the size of the New Zealand Orange crop increases with new plantings that have started over the past several years.
"We have a strong relationship with our growers who are also investing in their citrus industry by planting more trees and it’s these new plantings which gives us the confidence to continue to invest in processing buildings and equipment’ said Mr Barr.
Simply Squeezed has been "orangeing" since 1991 in Hawke’s Bay providing a sustainable juicing operation to New Zealand’s major growing region on the East Coast of New Zealand.
Source: voxy.co.nz
