Mount Zero Olives uses the Wedderburn automatic pouch bagger to boost production capacity by 400%

Mount Zero Olives Overview

Mount Zero Olives is a second-generation family-owned Australian business located in the Grampians National Park in Victoria. Mount Zero Olives produces and distributes olives, olive oils, and vinegar for hospitality and retail customers across Australia. Originally planted in the 1940s, the Mount Zero Olives grove is one of the oldest in Australia. The Seymour family purchased the grove in 1993 and transformed it into the thriving business it is today.

The Challenge

In the wake of the pandemic, Mount Zero Olives faced new challenges like many Australian businesses. With the hospitality sector making up a large portion of its customer base, COVID-related restaurant restrictions immediately impacted sales. Fortunately, retail and online orders rapidly rose to offset the declining demand from the struggling hospitality sector.

The increase in retail and direct-to-consumer sales via their online store meant there was greater demand for pouch-packed olives, rather than the larger bulk products Mount Zero Olives traditionally sold to hospitality venues. As a result, General Manager Richard Seymour identified the need to find a more efficient pouch packaging solution as their current process was very labour intensive. While they used a linear weigher to automatically weigh and release the correct amount of product into a pouch, each pouch was manually opened, held under the linear weigher, filled, dosed with olive oil, and hand-fed to a vacuum sealer. This process allowed them to pack a maximum of three pouches per minute.

About Mount Zero Olives

A second-generation family-owned business, manufacturing, wholesaling and retailing olives, olive oils and vinegar throughout Australia

Industry: Food Manufacturing

Company Size: Small business

Location: Grampians National Park, Victoria

Solution: WPLP210 Pouch Bagging Machine

Mount Zero Olives increases production capacity by 400%

The WPLP210 high speed automatic pouch bagging machine opens, fills and seals pre-made pouches at an efficient packing speed of up to 15 pouches per minute.

The Solution

After researching online and speaking to other manufacturers, General Manager Richard Seymour decided to invest in the Wedderburn WPLP210 Pouch Bagging Machine with a piston filler for oil and brine, dual gas flush, discharge conveyer, and rotisserie table.

The key features of the pouch bagging machine are:

automatically open, fill and seal pre-made pouches at an efficient speed of up to 15 bags per minute
operates using a variety of bag or pouch styles, including 3 or 4-sided seal pillow pouches, stand up bags, and gusseted pouches
optional integrated zip opening device
easily adjusted pouch cartridge holder caters for a variety of pouch sizes
7-inch touch screen makes operation and navigating through menus quick and easy
the “no bag – no fill” automatic bag sensor will only release the product load if a bag is available
304SUS stainless steel construction
straight-line design and front opening doors for easy access to clean and service
easily integrates with other packaging machines to create an efficient production line

In addition to the standard features, Wedderburn added two unique customisations for Mount Zero Olives:

piston filler for oil and brine
two outlets to gas flush pouches twice, during product filling cycle and before sealing

See how Mount Zero Olives uses the WPLP210 Pouch Bagging Machine to package their Olives.

The Results

The pouch bagger was easily integrated with the existing linear weigher to create a fully automatic packaging line. Mount Zero Olives’ production capacity went from three pouches per minute to fifteen pouches, a 400% increase in production capacity.

With the new bagger, pouches are automatically opened, gas flushed, and filled with the correct amount of product from the linear weigher. Custom pistons then add oil and brine, and the pouch is gas flushed again before being sealed and transferred to a rotisserie table ready for staff to pack. Mount Zero Olives was now in the perfect position to respond to the increase in retail demand.

Due to COVID, the project was not challenge-free. Difficulties included delays bringing the machine into Australia and domestic border closures. Though these factors delayed installation, General Manager Richard Seymour could not be happier with the results and the overall Wedderburn experience. Sales rep Vito D’Angelo was very helpful during the sales process, with great communication and follow-up. Packaging Equipment Service Manager Darren Ernstzen, who managed the installation, was also “phenomenal”. Richard would not hesitate to recommend Wedderburn and the WPLP210 pouch bagger, stating: "It was a great experience, and I don't think I say that too often."