PINK partner

Kent has always been one of the primary regions in the UK for berry production, Well-Pict European is pleased to be working so closely with a farm whom have been producing fruit in the area since 1933; Major Henry Boxall purchased the farm over 70 years ago at which time it produced a number of crops and had a variety of livestock, now under the managementof Andrew Boxall and his wife Elaine they concentrate on Strawberries, Raspberries, Apples and Pears.

During the last 10 years, growing methods have developed significantly. H.A. Boxall & Son has remained at the forefront of strawberry development with a table top system designed by Andrew himself.

The farm works closely with Well-Pict European, to ensure the finest quality produce is supplied to Asda stores, whilst supporting the Kent County council initiative “Produced in Kent” extensively. As part of this, for the past 4 years, the company has supplied the Asda Kent regional store network directly with local produce. This has been supported by the purchase of a modern chilled delivery vehicle to ensure that produce from farm to supermarket arrives in top class condition with as few transport miles as possible. This season Boxall will be adding raspberries and rhubarb to the system.

H.A. Boxall & Son and Well-Pict European actively support the Produced in Kent marketing strategy driven by Kent County Council. This initiative, which works to raise the profile of locally grown produce, has seen the farm take part in County wide food and drink festivals,and the “Produced in Kent” logo is reproduced on packaging whenever possible.

2005 sees the start of the newest project to support the initiative, a new purpose built packhouse. A large commitment has been made to make available the latest technology. The Savaweigh scale system, using Herbert Industrial scales, and infrastructure by Grow IT, is already giving growers accurate production and billing information, to enable them to manage their production costs from field to packhouse. Further investment in 2005 includes a Herbert Industrial Gemini weighing and printing station. This high speed weighing and labelling station will reject underweight produce and identify overweight produce. When the equipment is transferred to the new site the system will be directly integrated into the packhouse management system, enabling the growers to have up to the minute produce and packaging information. The new site will have additional packing lines, and leading edge robotic arm technology is planned for tray filling and stacking. The new facility will enable H.A. Boxall & Son to give increased support to neighbouring and local growersfor Well-Pict European and “Produced in Kent” by packing and distributing their combined produce to an audited and traceable quality standard. This will ensure the highest quality local produce distributed to outlets in Kent by the most cost effective and environmentally conscious methods available.

Spring 2005

Source: http://www.wellpict-countylocal.com/

Well Pict County Local - Top fruit and soft fruit grower, packer, distributor and marketeer in Kent