Barpro Storage has proudly laid claim to be the pioneers of the Storax mobile system in Southern Africa, with our first installation being completed over 25 years ago. The advantage that Barpro has is that after 25 years in the business, and with over 280 installations to look after, we have built up the infrastructure necessary to support our customers, from Namibia to KZN, from Cape Town to Mauritius, with technicians travelling the whole region, and all spares – even complete systems – being locally manufactured. We are proud of our customer base. One such company is Sparta Foods in Welkom, leading suppliers of top quality beef and other frozen products in the Free State.

Four years ago, Barpro Storage was offered the opportunity to install a Storax mobile racking system which provides fully accessible storage for well over 2000 tonnes of product.  Barpro Storage was also involved with the training of Sparta’s staff in the operation of the system and has supplied Delf freezer wear to keep operators warm and productive while working in this hostile environment.

Recommendation:” I am highly satisfied with the professional manner that Barpro Storage handled the entire project. I will surely recommend them to anyone who requires such a system.”

Barpro Storage conducted an interview with Mega Chicks after the completion of their new Mobile Racked Cold Store Facility in Johannesburg.

Background of Mega Chicks

Mega Chicks is a Family run business that started from humble beginnings in the early-80’s out of Lenasia in Southern Johannesburg. Now, in its 2^nd generation, Mega Chicks has their own retail outlets which supplies high-quality Halaal Chicken & Frozen Foods to Wholesalers, Retailers & Informal Restaurants across South Africa.

Interview

Q1: Tell us about your new facility? What was the reason for making this fairly large investment in a Mobile Racked Freezer Holding Store?

Due to our focus on efficiency, we have seen growth in the past 5 years in our business We identified the need to increase our stockholding & create a buffer to serve our customers better during peak times.

Q2: What made you chose mobile racking as opposed to any other racking system?

Space is at a premium in our facility, so after careful assessment of all options, we decided on a high density ‘Mobile racked’ Cold Store facility. We wanted to maximise the amount of pallets we could store in the limited space available. It allowed access to every pallet. Accessibility was critical as we have a wide range of ever-changing products.

We also considered the potential saving on power that mobiles offer due to more product & less open space in the freezer cube & when calculating the payback period this solution offered potentially quick paybacks on our investment.

Q3: Was the installation of the Mobile racking satisfactory?

We had the right professionals around us who knew what they were doing. Step by step we managed the complete project in stages. Everything went according to plan & when we deviated good communication & teamwork got us on track.

Q4: Were you happy with the service you received from Barpro?

We were very happy with Barpro as everything was attended to. I must commend Corne Stapelberg the Barpro Joburg GM & Project Manager for going the extra mile. He offered advice & support over & above the mobile racking. Projects like this can be stressful & having the right people advising you & helping make decisions is key. Thank you, Corne.

Q5: How will the mobile racking & cold store facility help you to service your customers moving forward?

The additional stock on hand & buffer storage will definitely help us to avoid missing opportunities top supply our customers & improve our service.

Barpro Storage wish to thank Mega Chicks for the feedback & information. We look forward to working with you to maintain & keep the mobiles & racking in good working condition & on track.

In 2015 Capespan Group continued its growth with the acquisition of a modern new packhouse on the banks of the Berg River in Paarl, Western Cape, as well as sizeable new apple and pear farms. Novo Packhouse, a state-of-the-art Topfruit packing facility opened in Paarl in 2009 was previously owned by Colors Fruit, and will allow its new owners to handle much of the abundant fruit harvest of the region including farms in nearby Ceres, Villiersdorp, Piketberg, Grabouw and the Boland.

“Novo Project Engineer Henco Smit comments. “Mobile racking working with Barpro SA was a no-brainer really. 1600 pallets, all of which are individually accessible, in rooms that would have otherwise carried not much more than half this number.

With Barpro’s extensive track record of previous such projects, we had absolute confidence that the facility would be up and running on schedule. They did not let us down.”

According to Capespan, the centre was already equipped with modern packing technology and storage, but this would not meet the needs of the extended operation, with increased volumes from their own farms as well as several independent growers. The decision was made to greatly expand the facility with new CA rooms and holding rooms. Additional new pre-cooling tunnels will be added later. The expanded facility will now cater for the cooling, packing, holding, and export of apples and pears; but also the packing of other fruit – stone-fruits, grapes, etc. – with a total packing capacity of up to 120,000 bins a year.

The existing pre-cooling ‘pull-down’ tunnels have a capacity of 560 pallets, and the new tunnels planned will increase this capacity to 800/900 pallets, while the new C.A. (controlled atmosphere) rooms for long-term storage can handle up to 26,000 bins. New holding rooms have added 1600 pallets (2000 tonnes) of fruit to the 600 pallets already accommodated in the previous facilities. 

Storax mobile racking was the system of choice for the new holding rooms. Novo Project Engineer Henco Smit comments. “Mobile racking working with Barpro SA was a no-brainer really. 1600 pallets, all of which are individually accessible, in rooms that would have otherwise carried not much more than half this number. With Barpro’s extensive track record of previous such projects, we had absolute confidence that the facility would be up and running on schedule. They did not let us down.”

The project was successfully completed in the early part of the year, ready in time for the 2016 harvest.