• Ishida's RV weigher range, distributed by Heat & Control and shown at this year's AUSPACK PLUS show, has won a fruit and vegetables industry “Oscar” for innovation.
    Ishida's RV weigher range, distributed by Heat & Control and shown at this year's AUSPACK PLUS show, has won a fruit and vegetables industry “Oscar” for innovation.
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Ishida’s multihead weigher range, the RV Series, introduced to the Australian market by local agent Heat & Control at this year's AUSPACK PLUS show (PKN, June, p.24), has received a prestigious award for innovation in what has been described as the fruit and vegetable industry’s version of the Academy Awards.

The Oscar Macfrut Awards, organised by Macfrut, the international exhibition dedicated to the fruit and vegetable supply chain, were introduced in 2010 to acknowledge and promote initiatives throughout the sector in terms of technical improvements, reductions in costs and consumer satisfaction.

The Ishida RV range was recognised for its numerous advancements to an already-established technology that enables the weighers to achieve 15 per cent faster speeds than previous models, while still delivering high levels of accuracy.

Key features of the range include: an improved user interface with an ultra-fast touch screen that ensures quicker and easier set up; the ability to operate the machines remotely via wireless access with tablets, androids and smart phones; and enhanced security features including a fingerprint verification access.

It also incorporates six degree sloping, self-draining feeder covers and a nine degree sloping, self-draining main body, which minimise bacteria traps and allow faster and easier cleaning to increase uptime.

Food & Drink Business

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The Queensland government has launched its $30 million Sowing the Seeds of Farming Innovation Fund (SSFIF), designed to accelerate agricultural innovation, adoption and productivity across the state’s primary industries.

The Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology (ASVO) has appointed Emily White as the organisation’s new executive director, following an extended search for the ideal candidate. She will take over the role from Chris Waters after a two month collaborative transition period.