Search
Close this search box.
Search
Close this search box.

Case Study: Mainfeeds

Mainfeeds are making light work of heavy pallets thanks to a change in pallet packaging product.

Murray Collie
Plant Manager – Mainfeeds Waikouaiti, Otago

Feed For Thought

Mainfeeds are making light work of heavy pallets thanks to a change in pallet packaging product.

With three mills in Otago, Auckland and the Manawatu, Mainfeeds has its hands full providing quality feed for hens, chickens, pigs, rabbits and dogs around New Zealand.

Between their three facilities the company produces over 140,000 tonnes of feed annually, a lot of which is packaged and shipped around the country.

“We’ve been supplying Mainfeeds with pallet wrap since around 2014,” says Universal Packaging Technical Consultant Jed Goudie. “Since then we’ve seen them grow and grow, and we’ve worked with them to improve their shipping efficiency.”

Murray Collie is the Plant Manager in charge of the Mainfeeds Waikouaiti operation in Otago. In his time there and, previously, in the meat processing industry, Murray has seen the results of improved packaging on the floor and at the bottom line.

“We’ve been wrapping pallets for 20 years now,” says Murray. “These pallets go all around the South Island, and we need them to be secure.”

While today things are running smoothly Mainfeeds distribution hasn’t always been easy with “breaks and shifting loads and the product damage that comes with it,” says Murray.

“Try as we did, it was always difficult to get the wrap we were using to provide adequate tension around the pallet,” says Murray. “We’re wrapping both smaller pallets and those going up to the one tonne mark. Getting the balance of secure containment without tearing the wrap was always a balancing act.”

“With around 100 tonnes of bagged products going out the door weekly, having confidence that the wrap can carry the weight is crucial to the growing operation.”

In 2018 the company moved its nationwide operation to Nanowrap and, according to Murray, “we’ve never looked back.”

“We’re finding it’s brilliant. There are no breaks, it can be wrapped consistently and it’s easy to use – we’ve got no issues whatsoever.”

For Jed it was crucial to get the wrap strong enough to safely wrap pallets weighing up to one tonne while doing so in the most cost-effective manner possible.

“We scoped a few options and Nanowrap was the clear winner,” says Jed. “It wrapped tight consistently for Mainfeeds. And, forgive the pun, but when you take into account product damage, replacement costs and the various other costs that come with wrap breakage, well, the savings aren’t exactly chicken feed.”

With around 100 tonnes of bagged products going out the door weekly, having confidence that the wrap can carry the weight is crucial to the growing operation. So too is knowing there’s additional support from Universal if it’s ever needed.

“It’s not just the wrap, it’s the service too,” says Murray. “Jed’s always popping in when he’s down hereto check everything is working as it should, when we make an order the team are always easy to deal with, and the wraps always promptly delivered.”

Who we work with:

Request a quote

Please fill in the form below and our team will be in touch.

Please note: We are a New Zealand-based wholesaler and only distribute within New Zealand.

Case Study: Mainfeeds

Thanks very much!

Download your brochure here.

Download now

Please fill in the following form to download the brochure pdf.