Electronics department earn UL rating:
The Compac electronics production department is proud to be the first in NZ to achieve full UL508a production rating. This quality assurance electrical accreditation is important to supply electronic and electrical systems around the world. This will also assure all Compac customers of product quality they receive.


86 Lanes of Compac in one pack house:
Yes, you read it right - 86 lanes of Compac sizer are now operating in the Sun Pacific Maricopa facility in California. The packing house, with a roof area of 10 acres, is dedicated to Clementine mandarins and home to a 40 lane Compac pre-grade line with two 12 lane packing lines. A new 20 lane and a 2 lane packing line have just been commissioned to reach the new total of 86!

The New Look Compac Website:
www.compacsort.com
The Compac website now has a new layout to make it easier to use and we have added a new customer members area! Apply now for a password and have on-line access to:
- the Compac parts catalogue
- upgrade information
- service info
- new features available
Having on-line access to parts numbers with photos can certainly help to make your ordering easier and more reliable. Check it out!
We are open to your ideas on what you would like to see there to help your business or staff.
Other features include streaming video and improved photos and text.

New Compac DVD:
Many of you will know that we have been working on a new promotional DVD. This is now available so ask your local Compac sales representative or e-mail us to get your copy. (especially if we were filming in your shed and you have not received one yet).
The DVD contains film of packing houses operating around the world and the relevant latest technology to suit your fruit type.

Many thanks to those who assisted by opening their pack houses to us and providing comments on their experiences with Compac. Website

Avocado Defect Sorting:
Avocados are the latest fruit to be successfully graded according to external quality. Apata Ltd in Katikati, BOP, NZ have been running all their Avocados over their Compac pre grade line. An InVision 7000IR Blemish system is fitted with Infra-red and colour cameras to separate the crop into 4 quality groups.
The results have been better than expected with reject fruit removed and the number of grading staff greatly reduced. The throughput of the line has been increased and can be maintained at a more constant level without being affected by the quality of the incoming fruit.
Visitors touring the facility from the recent NZ/Australia Avocado Conference had the opportunity to see this new technology operating first hand and were very impressed.

California Kiwifruit NIR'd:
Zespri is reportedly very happy with the recent results of separating Californian Zespri GOLD Kiwifruit by internal colour. The NIR program supplied by Taste Technologies solved a marketing problem for Zespri. The GOLD fruit had a range of maturity which required different conditioning regimes. Sorting by internal colour ensured the right fruit condition was delivered to the customer.

Watch this space next year for exciting new post harvest developments on the way.

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New Service Manager
We welcome Gavin Reeve as Compac's new Service Manager. Gavin is not new to Compac as he is a founding member of the team (20 years). Gavin has been the driving force behind much of Compac's electronic and software design as well as being a head technician on the road for a number of years. Gavin has taken over the reins from Gerhard who left us recently for other opportunities.

Parts List On-line
Of course having the Spare Parts catalogue available online is big news for service as this should help you identify the parts precisely to what you need and ensure you get the right parts on time. Apply now for a password

Training Seminars:
Sizer training seminars are currently planned for California USA and Bay of Plenty NZ for early in 2006. Invitations will be sent out to all customers in these areas in advance. For any information on additional training for you or your staff, please contact your local service provider or e-mail service@compacsort.com.

For any questions or suggestions relating to service, e-mail service@compacsort.com.

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Some of the latest international news that may be of interest. These are also useful links for more info that may be affecting our industry. Check out further news via our links page.

• International
  
  China's retail revolution gains fresh impetus
  
  Wilma leaves ruined crops in its wake
  
  
• Citrus
  
  Spanish clementines to start the season small
  

  California, arizona citrus both rebound this year
  
  Wilma Wallops Grapefruit Crop
  
  Vast Groves, Cheap Labor Help Make Brazil the King of OJ

• Apples
  
  Mexico imposes tariff on apples
  
  
• Tomatoes
  
  Britain takes a shot at own winter tomatoes
  
  
• Potatoes
  
  Modern potato had roots in Peru
  
  
• Health
  
  Convenience stores stocking sushi, fresh fruit alongside traditional fare
  
  The New Superfoods
  
  Healthy fruit and veg compounds
  
  
• Pomegranates?
  
  Tart-sweet pomegranate pleases palate
  
  
• New Orleans
  
  Groceries rise from rubble - Stores aim to serve areas rebounding after Katrina
  
  
• Packaging
  
  Ads of the future - all snap, crackle & pop
  
  Serving up fresher produce
  
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• Southern Hemisphere Congress
  30 Nov - 2 Dec 2005
  Santiago
  Chile
  
  
• Fruit Logistica
  2 - 4 February 2006
  Berlin
  Germany
  
  
• Kiwi2006
  6th International Kiwifruit Symposium
  21-24 March 2006
  Rotorua
  New Zealand
  
  
• Postharvest2006
  3-5 March 2006
  Hyderabad
  India
  
  

• Clever technology takes kiwifruit sorting to the next level
  The Orchardist August 2005
  
  
• Gawler River Site a World Leader
  The Grower July 2005
  
  
• Ancient 'love apple' goes high tech
  DEMM Magazine September 2005
  
  

• 508 electronic accreditation for Compac
  
  

For last quarters Compac Innovations click here.

For past Compac Innovations click here.

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