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Kapiris Bros - New Facility Melbourne Market 2016

The main entrance to Kapiris Bros state-of-the art facility, less than 2 kilometres from the Melbourne Wholesale Market.
The main entrance to Kapiris Bros state-of-the art facility, less than 2 kilometres from the Melbourne Wholesale Market.
Deliveries and pick-ups happen at a separate entrance to the right, which brings the drivers around to the primary storage and processing area.
Deliveries and pick-ups happen at a separate entrance to the right, which brings the drivers around to the primary storage and processing area.
Inside one of the seven storage cool rooms, which all have a 1080 pallet capacity.
Inside one of the seven storage cool rooms, which all have a 1080 pallet capacity.
The storage cool rooms branch off the main packing area and are organised according to the type of produce and whether it is waiting to be packed or ready to be picked up by a customer.
The storage cool rooms branch off the main packing area and are organised according to the type of produce and whether it is waiting to be packed or ready to be picked up by a customer.
Capsicums going through the sorting and packing process. The capsicums are machine weighed and packaged according to the specifications of each customer. Workers monitor this process and ensure quality control throughout every phase of the process.
Capsicums going through the sorting and packing process. The capsicums are machine weighed and packaged according to the specifications of each customer. Workers monitor this process and ensure quality control throughout every phase of the process.
“You can set the specifications for packaging and weight on each line before you begin the packaging process, and then just feed the tomatoes or capsicums onto the machine,” Kapiris Bros Sales and Marketing Director Steve Tsakoumakis says.
“You can set the specifications for packaging and weight on each line before you begin the packaging process, and then just feed the tomatoes or capsicums onto the machine,” Kapiris Bros Sales and Marketing Director Steve Tsakoumakis says.
A worker inspecting tomatoes as they go through the packing process.
A worker inspecting tomatoes as they go through the packing process.
Tomatoes being processed on one of the machines. Mr Tsakoumakis explains that they are washed (for a second time), then sorted by the machine according to weight and packing specifications.
Tomatoes being processed on one of the machines. Mr Tsakoumakis explains that they are washed (for a second time), then sorted by the machine according to weight and packing specifications.
Workers monitoring the tomatoes as they are weighed and packed. “The tomatoes and capsicums that don’t pass our quality control tests are all used in some way. We have a lot of farmers that come and get them for their animals, and they love it – especially with the hay shortage at the moment, it’s great,” Mr Tsakoumakis says.
Workers monitoring the tomatoes as they are weighed and packed. “The tomatoes and capsicums that don’t pass our quality control tests are all used in some way. We have a lot of farmers that come and get them for their animals, and they love it – especially with the hay shortage at the moment, it’s great,” Mr Tsakoumakis says.
The state-of-the-art, 4200 square metre facility was opened in August 2015 and Mr Tsakoumakis says that the entire site is actually 11,800 square metres, “so we also have room to expand in the future.”
The state-of-the-art, 4200 square metre facility was opened in August 2015 and Mr Tsakoumakis says that the entire site is actually 11,800 square metres, “so we also have room to expand in the future.”
The outside of the facility appears to stretch into the distance. Mr Tsakoumakis says it actually has a total storage capacity within the facility of 1214 pallets, including the cool rooms, packing area and dispatch area.
The outside of the facility appears to stretch into the distance. Mr Tsakoumakis says it actually has a total storage capacity within the facility of 1214 pallets, including the cool rooms, packing area and dispatch area.
Upstairs from the packing area are the main offices.
Upstairs from the packing area are the main offices.
The delivery area, around the back of the main entrance.
The delivery area, around the back of the main entrance.
Workers gather around the storage side of the facility.
Workers gather around the storage side of the facility.
The upstairs administration area is a mix of open-plan cubicles and offices. “It’s great being able to go from office work upstairs, to hands-on quality control and management on the floor, to the wholesale market across the road,” Mr Tsakoumakis says.
The upstairs administration area is a mix of open-plan cubicles and offices. “It’s great being able to go from office work upstairs, to hands-on quality control and management on the floor, to the wholesale market across the road,” Mr Tsakoumakis says.
The tea room for workers is located near the main entrance.
The tea room for workers is located near the main entrance.
The packing floor space takes up 1500 square metres, organised based on the produce being sorted – with main lines of tomatoes, capsicums and rockmelons.
The packing floor space takes up 1500 square metres, organised based on the produce being sorted – with main lines of tomatoes, capsicums and rockmelons.
“In keeping with the company’s values of being socially and environmentally responsible, we’ve used state-of-the-art energy efficient materials and equipment, including the cool-room systems,” Mr Tsakoumakis explains.
“In keeping with the company’s values of being socially and environmentally responsible, we’ve used state-of-the-art energy efficient materials and equipment, including the cool-room systems,” Mr Tsakoumakis explains.
The facility is a hive of activity throughout the day and evening, with some staff coming in during the early hours for deliveries, pick-ups, packing and quality control, and others coming in during more standard office hours.
The facility is a hive of activity throughout the day and evening, with some staff coming in during the early hours for deliveries, pick-ups, packing and quality control, and others coming in during more standard office hours.
One of the Kapiris Bros branded vehicles used to transport produce on the facility.
One of the Kapiris Bros branded vehicles used to transport produce on the facility.
Harry Kapiris, on site at the Melbourne Market. With the Kapiris Bros facility so close, it is easy to quickly go between locations as needed.
Harry Kapiris, on site at the Melbourne Market. With the Kapiris Bros facility so close, it is easy to quickly go between locations as needed.
Kapiris Bros new heirloom tomato variety, Cimelio.
Kapiris Bros new heirloom tomato variety, Cimelio.
An office just off the main packing area makes it easy for staff to switch between tasks.
An office just off the main packing area makes it easy for staff to switch between tasks.
Kapiris Bros new snacking tomato variety, the Strawberry Tomato.
Kapiris Bros new snacking tomato variety, the Strawberry Tomato.
A chiller room in the arrivals area. “The chiller room is great because it gives us a way to quickly and efficiently lower the core temperature of produce when it arrives if we need to,” Mr Tsakoumakis says.
A chiller room in the arrivals area. “The chiller room is great because it gives us a way to quickly and efficiently lower the core temperature of produce when it arrives if we need to,” Mr Tsakoumakis says.
"“...if we get a delivery straight off the truck and need to store them in the cool room, we can put them in here and make sure the core temperature in each box is at its optimum temperature so we can extend the shelf life of the produce and not compromise the quality," Mr Tsakoumakis says."
"“...if we get a delivery straight off the truck and need to store them in the cool room, we can put them in here and make sure the core temperature in each box is at its optimum temperature so we can extend the shelf life of the produce and not compromise the quality," Mr Tsakoumakis says."
The arrivals area is also set up for future fumigation areas.
The arrivals area is also set up for future fumigation areas.
Mr Tsakoumakis says the entire Kapiris Bros site is actually 11,800 square metres, “so we also have room to expand in the future.” “It’s great having all the teams in the one place,” Mr Tsakoumakis says, “we can really see what’s going on in all areas of the business, and work together to provide the best produce and service for all our customers.”
Mr Tsakoumakis says the entire Kapiris Bros site is actually 11,800 square metres, “so we also have room to expand in the future.” “It’s great having all the teams in the one place,” Mr Tsakoumakis says, “we can really see what’s going on in all areas of the business, and work together to provide the best produce and service for all our customers.”