NZX-listed Scott Technology is thrilled to announce the expansion of its meat automation business with the signing of a new AUD$18 million contract to design, build and commission a world-leading automated beef boning system.
This announcement sees Scott Technology partner with Teys, one of Australia’s leading protein producers, and Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), to develop a revolutionary beef solution, which will improve yield, product quality, throughput and efficiency, while also increasing operator and food safety. The system will be developed and built by Kiwis out of Scott’s head office and global meat processing centre of excellence, in Dunedin, New Zealand.
John Kippenberger, Scott Technology CEO, says this partnership will balance innovation and Kiwi ingenuity, with Scott’s proven systems and existing technology to produce an efficient system that delivers a world-first in the beef processing sector.
“This development comes at a time when now more than ever, the beef industry around the world is struggling with labour shortages and searching for opportunities to improve yield and efficiencies. We are delighted to be partnering with Teys, one of Australia’s leading protein producers with a rich history in the industry, and MLA, who bring a pan industry perspective and a true appreciation for the benefits this leading-edge development will bring to beef processors. It’s a great example of our strategy in action, fostering authentic customer partnerships which share a collective vision for a better future.”
The first of its kind in the world, this automated beef boning system will increase capacity with reduced operating costs, enabling better accuracy and significantly improving the yield of high value portions. The system works at high speed and is designed to process 200 carcasses per hour.
“The overall return on investment to the processor is significant,” continues Mr Kippenberger. “The system will use automated cutting equipment, supported by advanced scanning and vision technology, to provide precise cuts improving product quality, while reducing health and safety risks. The use of smart technology will maximise the value of each beef carcass through data and cutting accuracy.”
Aligned with Scott’s 2025 strategic pillar to leverage its leading-edge technology, the system will draw on its proprietary automated lamb boning system. This utilises x-ray technology to scan each carcass and generate a 3D map of the bones within, providing the correct height and angle measurements to accurately cut, therefore improving quality and yield. The repetitive accuracy is far greater than human capabilities and will increase the capacity with reduced operating costs.
With the anticipated launch in 2023, this revolutionary beef boning system is being developed for the Australian industry, which makes up almost 4 per cent of the total global beef industry. The system will be scalable to service the wider global beef processing industry, including the United States, in close succession. The United States is the world’s largest producer of beef, accounting for just over 20 per cent of the total global industry.
“Based on these figures alone, this technology has huge potential globally. Following a successful launch in Australia, there’s an opportunity for Scott to deploy the system into the US$60 billion beef industry in the United States and beyond. We look forward to exploring this further with our global partners,” says Mr Kippenberger.
For more information, visit www.scottautomation.com
