Fyffes says its new packhouse in Costa Rica is designed to promote employee well-being and safety while enabling improved efficiencies and supporting its sustainability targets.
The packhouse, at Fyffes’ Victoria banana farm in Sarapiqui de Heredia, Costa Rica, has a modern design that minimizes bruising to the fruit, increases packaging capacity through multiple processing lines, reduces water consumption by up to 40% and improves occupational health by facilitating the palletizing process with two hydraulic tables and anti-fatigue mats in the selection, weighing and packaging areas, according to a news release.
“The new Fyffes packhouse is proof of the banana industry’s commitment to innovation, safety, and sustainability,” the company said in the release. “Investment in technology and equipment demonstrates a desire to continually improve the quality and efficiency of production processes, while the focus on safety ensures that workers are always treated with respect and dignity.”
Fyffes held an inauguration event that included business partners Grupo Acón, Grupo Colono, Jardín del Tigre and the Costa Rican banana authority Corbana (Corporación Bananera Nacional). Fyffes was represented by CEO Helge Sparsoe and Chief Supply Officer Sheila McCann-Morrison, who thanked employees for their ongoing contribution to the company.
For Fyffes Regional Banana Production Manager Leslie Medina, the project is a joint effort within the company that capitalizes on knowledge and experience to increase productivity, the release said. He acknowledged the support of Fyffes’ business partners and the performance of the farm management who oversaw construction of the new packhouse and the substantial expansion of hectares.
Sparsoe pointed to the company’s value of “Winning Together” and explained the importance of collaborating in the long term to face the challenges that the future may bring.
“Winning together also includes our communities, our partners and allies, because if we don’t work together, we will face many more significant challenges ahead,” Sparsoe said in the release.
McCann-Morrison spoke about the role of groundbreaking innovation as a fundamental driver to Fyffes ongoing sustainability both within Fyffes-owned farms as well as with strategic business partners.
Corbana General Manager Jorge Sauma recognized Fyffes as one of the companies that operate in Costa Rica with the most vision for the future and highlighted Fyffes effort to provide good working and safety conditions to its employees, according to the release.
