Rockit appoint Wyma as key equipment supplier for world class apple packing facility

Award winning New Zealand snack sized apple company Rockit Global has selected Wyma Solutions as its principal partner to design and supply what will be one of the most advanced and innovative apple packing facilities in the world.

Rapidly increasing global demand and a strong growth trajectory means Rockit has been seeking technology partners to provide them with efficient solutions for apple washing, grading, sorting and packing. This search led them to Wyma, who they have selected to lead the development of their packhouse over the coming years.

Wyma will utilise its project expertise and packhouse technology to upgrade Rockit’s Te Ipu packing facility, based in Hastings, New Zealand. Rockit’s investment into advanced robotic technology, state of the art optical grading, and smart automation will increase system flexibility, provide gentle product treatment, and improve machine and labour utilisation.

The partnership between Rockit and Wyma will complement Rockit’s existing relationship with MHM Automation, Wyma’s parent company, who have developed a specialized robotic packing machine for Rockit’s iconic apple in tube format.

Scott Griffin of Rockit says:

“We have been looking for a company who can offer us solutions to our unique challenges. Wyma’s ability to provide a tailored solution, and to design for both our present and future needs set them apart from the competition. Wyma have become a trusted partner, and their experience designing packing lines across a number of industries has resulted in a highly successful collaborative design relationship.”

“In selecting our lead supplier, we had a number of key criteria. These included their ability to offer a flexible solution, the quality of their machinery, gentle apple handling, and the use of smart automation. Wyma demonstrated these key criteria”.

Peter Molloy of Wyma says:

“It is fantastic to partner with a company as innovative and forward-thinking as Rockit. The shared passion between Rockit and Wyma for high quality solutions has made it very easy for our teams to work well together.”

Over the past three years Wyma and Rockit have created a long-term development plan to progressively expand Rockit’s packhouse as bin volumes increase. The first stage of the project involves the supply of a new robotic bin tip and apple washing line with advanced Wyma water filtration technology. This project will lay the groundwork for the next stage, a major upgrade to a unique pre-sort system featuring ultra gentle hydro-bin filling technology, short water buffer channels and high-speed bin robots, and will have an eventual line capacity of over 300,000 apples per hour.

Mr Molloy adds:

“Our solution is unlike any other globally and will provide Rockit with the flexibility and functionality which they are looking for”.

The first stage of the new line will go into operation in the beginning of 2025.

Wyma Solutions

Wyma designs, manufactures, distributes and services post-harvest fruit and vegetable handling equipment globally, designing solutions to meet specific customer needs. Wyma provides integrated, turn-key solutions, focusing on minimizing downtime and reducing waste. Wyma and its parent company MHM Automation are part of the Fortifi Food Solutions Group.

https://www.wymasolutions.com/

Rockit

Rockit began as a tiny seed of an idea 20 years ago. While the rest of the world was super-sizing their apples, we did the opposite.

From Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand we created the world’s one-of-a-kind, perfectly-sized small apple and packed it with concentrated flavour and goodness. Then we thought different again and created unique, premium packaging to disrupt the category and stand out on shelf. Our apples are now sold in more than 30 territories around the world – and grown in 10, which means they’re fresh all year around.

In a world of sameness, different is how we stand out and get ahead. Pioneering and innovating. Faster, greater, fresher. We’ve got a winning difference – and big ambitions to be the world’s most loved apple brand.

And in true Rockit style, we’re making this happen in our own unique way. This is how we’re inspiring people around the world to love an apple that’s just that little bit different, and to take on the world one small bite at a time, in their own way. To Rockit every day.

https://www.rockitapple.com/

Picture: Rockit GM-Operations Scott Griffin and Wyma New Zealand Sales Manager Peter Molloy at a design review for Rockit’s packhouse facility development.