Delivering Results – Affordable Solutions
Delivering Results – Affordable Solutions
The Gamechanger is the only viable, affordable, reliable solution that will deliver real results for existing mushroom producers. A quick Return On Investment (ROI) is important to producers and there are numerous reasons why investing in the Gamechanger range of products makes great economic sense with a quick ROI. I have listed some of these reasons below:
a) In most developed countries the costs of a Gamechanger and Lift system will be equivalent to the costs of the salary of a picker for a year. By doubling the picking rate, we can offset one picker salary in around 1 year. This alone would mean an ROI of around 1 year.
b) The Gamechangers unique stalk cutting device has been seen to improve yield by 5% plus. This has a great impact on the Return of Investment this contribution could be as much as a 50% against the costs in a year. 5mm of stalk equates to 5% of the weight of a mushroom. In tests we have found that less mushrooms are required to achieve the target weight when using the Gamechangers. Weight is lost when cutting manually, by stalks cut short or at various angles and this weight loss becomes greater as the speed of picking increases or with inexperienced staff.
c) One of the main strategies when using the Gamechangers is to Graze the mushroom crop. As mushrooms grow 4% per hour if grazing is carried out correctly this strategy can have measurable economics benefits. These benefits include increased picking rates, improved yield, better crop management with less “value pack” mushrooms or mushroom wastage. The speed of the Lift can be varied to match the picking circumstances, and allow pickers to pick all the big mushrooms while opening up the crop on all levels quickly. This will greatly reduce the chances of mushrooms opening up due to being left too long or not having enough room.
d) The accurate weighing system ensures that there is reduced loss through giveaway as well as a slowdown in the packing line due to check weighing the punnets. The giveaway per punnet with the Gamechangers will normally be 50% of the average weight of the mushrooms picked. On our analysis we have found that the potential giveaway is offset with the accurate stalk cutting. For every 1 gram of giveaway, we gain 2 grams plus of increased weight with the stalk cutting.
e) New pickers can be made much more productive, quicker and easier with the Gamechangers as they have to trained on fewer task and have to master fewer tasks. If new pickers can get to 30kgs per hour in a few weeks there will be a corresponding economic benefit.
f) As the Gamechangers do not require expensive infrastructural amendments to operate, the cost of the Gamechangers and Lifts are the only real cost. The only thing required in the harvesting room was a lower guidance rail which is normally already available in 90% of farms. Racking does not need to be removed, slippery floors are not a problem, and no power or air lines need to be installed. The only thing we need is a power point close to the room so spare batteries can be charged.
g) Training of pickers is important in any successful installation. Experience has taught us that in the initial installation stages, it takes 5 days for pickers to become comfortable with the new equipment and another 5 days to improve and refine their technique while picking with 2 hands, improved placement on the mushroom belt, startup procedures, and crop grazing technique. This training is inexpensive and will ensure successful implementation which will become a pattern for further implementations. Training requirements will be reduced as further machines are added.
h) Over months we would expect further picking rate increases above the initial 100% as support and picking techniques bed in.
i) Producers can maintain their existing proven pinning strategies so they don’t have yield reduction as is common when producers change their growing to increase picking rates.
In summary the Gamechangers deliver guaranteed results and have a quick return on investment with very little risk.
The Gamechanger range of products are the only affordable and viable harvesting solution for existing mushroom farms. The Gamechangers can outperform other more expensive systems that require planned, high risk investments of millions spread over years.
To view more information and video please click the following links for the Gamechanger Pro or Floor Supported Lift.
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