In response to strong growth, Australian fresh food producer and fresh produce logistics company, Montague, is developing a $64 million greenfield, automated packaging and export processing centre in Narre Warren North, Victoria. Due to the complexity of the project, Montague turned to supply chain consultants, ThreeSixty Supply Chain Group, for support in the system design and development of the 18,000m2 facility, which will have the capacity to process 42 million kilograms of fresh fruit product, annually.

ThreeSixty has now delivered on its initial engagement, which was the initiation and design phases, including:

• Current state review of the overall solution from operational and mechanical perspectives, to determine the understanding of deliverables and expectations in respect to each system (ERP, FTS, WMS, PCS and WCS)
• Design and development of the system architecture and material process flows of all the applications/mechanical equipment, to deliver a highly-automated processing centre solution
• Facilitation and review of the functional, interface and hardware specification documentation to support the build phase

Materials handling software and equipment planned for the processing centre include Montague’s new LinkFresh ERP and its existing Paperless WMS and fruit tracking system, integrated with a Compac PCS and Dematic high-bay AS/RS for Montague’s horticulture arm.

Derek Tan, Director of Project Services at ThreeSixty, said Montague turned to the team to help mitigate risk from resourcing challenges by working through the complex requirements and developing viable solutions for the fruit processor.

“It was great to support Montague in delivering its highly-automated processing centre solution – an exciting transformation project for Montague’s manufacturing and supply chain. Our team brings a wealth of experience in reviewing, designing and executing initiatives that lead to improved service levels and efficiency, and future-readiness.”

Due to the successful delivery of the first phase, Rowan Little, Montague’s Chief Innovation Officer, has re-engaged ThreeSixty to implement the IT systems and automation solution.

“ThreeSixty’s partnership approach working through our complex requirements, gave them a deep understanding of what our business was seeking in a highly-automated production centre solution. In addition, their coordination of crucial technical design workshops ensured all the different software vendors were aligned. We’ve now engaged ThreeSixty to support the second phase implementation of all the IT systems and automation for our new manufacturing and distribution operation,” said Rowan.

The second phase of Montague’s transformation project is due to commence in October 2020, with completion by December.

Read more about ThreeSixty’s services here.