Background

In 2021 Coles built a new state of the art Ripening Centre in Melbourne including 40 No. 24 Pallet 2 Tier Banana Ripening Rooms and 20 No. 24 Pallet 2 Tier Avocado Ripening Rooms. Packing Area Intake and Dispatch Areas were also included along with a complete chilled water refrigeration system. The building is just under 80,000sqft and is the largest facility of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

Coles approached Cross Refrigeration, part of the Cross Group, to assist in this project which included the introduction of the latest Fruit Ripening Room technology to Australia.

Challenge

This was a great project to be involved with. One of the key challenges was getting the logistics correct and a lot of hard work was put in to make sure we met all local legislation, regulations, Import/Customs and Employment laws.

Covid-19 also hit Australia before the end of this project which left it very challenging to complete especially with the country going into lockdown and the introduction of travel bans in and out of Australia. However, thanks to our great team we were able to complete the project on time.

Solution

Cross provided a complete turn key package with all insulated panels, insulated doors, wall protection, refrigeration systems, lighting and ventilation. We supplied and installed two Refrigeration Systems one High Temperature system for the 40 No. 24 Pallet 2 Tier Banana Ripening Rooms and Staging Area and a Medium Temperature system for the 20 No. 24 Pallet 2 Tier Avocado Ripening Rooms. Both Systems were based on Chilled Water with Air Cooled Chillers.

All equipment was supplied with energy efficiency at the forefront with all fans being highly efficient EC Fans, high efficiency compressors and variable speed pumps.

Summary

Coles were really proud of their new Flag Ship Ripening Centre and very impressed with the service provided and improved standards of ripening from their new equipment.