News

NEWSLETTER: January 2012

Simon Ritchie — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:44:17 GMT

After the last few years of droughts, floods, and political issues, it is refreshing to see various industry bodies predicting an excellent start to the year and increasing demand for Australian meat.

With the various projects Cedar Creek is currently working on (or about to start), all the evidence points to strong growth over the next year.

Ryan's Wholesale Meats

Ryan's Wholesale Meats is in the process of installing Cedar Creek systems to automate their kill floor.

We'd like to welcome Ryan's aboard and look forward to helping them further as their business grows.

Printerm VI Auto systems

One of the notable innovations from the Hardware Team over the past year has been the development of the new Semi Automatic weigh label station. These units have been recently commissioned at JBS Australia's Toowoomba plant and Woolworths' Ipswich plant.

The Semi Auto system is designed for medium to high throughput applications and can label and process up to 22 cartons per minute.

The system can run either as a manned station (using an Operator to select the product) or un-manned, and fully automatic running in pre-id or batch mode.

Automatic carton alignment is achieved by using the Intralox ARB belt. An optional 3 way sort module that can be added if required.

Check out the complete Newsletter HERE

NEWSLETTER: November 2011

Simon Ritchie — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:09:11 GMT

The continuing uncertainty in the global economy (as well as the fresh food industry locally) is challenging everyones business model.

That said, Cedar Creek's solutions are about delivering efficiency and productivity, so the increased interest in our automation systems shows buoyancy is returning to the market.

There is always an excuse for not investing, but those who can will reap the benefits as consumer confidence returns.

Cedar Creek has recently completed Stage One of an upgrade for BMC to integrate their entire supply chain to provide full compliance for EU traceability. Currently this includes head office, 3 plants and a cold store, with UK office and distribution systems due for an upgrade early in the New Year.

The Cedar Creek systems now allow for carton records to be electronically traced throughout Southern Africa as stock moves from the plants, through the cold store in Cape Town, then on to Europe.

Significant benefit has also been derived by restructuring the slaughter floor systems to enforce EU compliance utilising RFID bolus tags (implanted in the field) and to meet the requirements of the Botswana Department of Veterinary Services.

FoodChain has already been approved by the EU authorities at the neighbouring Namibian Meatco plants and the roll out in Botswana has brought improved efficiencies, stock visibility, and traceability to BMC as well as compliance.

BMC's IT Manager, Billy Mauco, says of the recent implementation:

"Like all implementations we have had some issues but are pleased to report that the roll out went to schedule and the upgrade was delivered on time and on budget. We were pleased to note that not only did we gain the expected traceability and control benefits, but users reported the system is very user friendly and that many of the new features have been able to be implemented due to this ease of use. These include improved sales reporting, and better stock control through the use of transactions and qualities. We are looking forward to completing the roll out in Europe in the New Year."

With the recent natural disasters, we are still concerned some customers don't have an effective business continuity plan in place. Remember, it is your responsibility to protect your business. Lack of an effective plan will not only cost you money (down time, contractual penalties for non-performance, etc), but also your company's reputation in the marketplace. We have a whitepaper available that discusses risks and strategies to consider. Please contact us if you would like a copy.

Check out the complete Newsletter HERE

NEWSLETTER: May 2011

Simon Ritchie — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:08:33 GMT

There have been a lot of challenges recently, with natural disasters, stock supply issues, and the ever present squeeze on everyone's profit margins. Likewise, we at Cedar Creek Company have gone through some significant structural changes in the last year in an effort to refocus the company into delivering the best product and services to the market.

One area that has fallen down in recent time has been our communication to our customers. So, in order to better communicate with (and support) our user community, we are implementing a web-based User Forum and starting a User Group.

During May 2011 we will be delivering one of our new generation SASTEK Printerm un-manned automatic check weigh label systems to OSI International Foods. Our new design includes improvements in our Label Applicator along with a new In-Feed and carton alignment conveyor using the new Intralox ARB series 400 conveyor belt.

We have also started on a new SASTEK Printerm Semi Auto check weigh and label applicator for the Woolworths Brismeats Meat Centre in Brisbane. This is also a new design which again includes the new Intralox ARB series 400 conveyor belt for Carton alignment and includes improvements to our Static Weigh station module that now has the ability to handle short edge or long edge leading cartons.

Some other new initiatives include the use networked PLC's in our Auto systems allowing us to connect to the unit and change PLC code remotely, and the release of our new HEC Upgrade kits comprising of new updated and more powerful motherboards and improved screen and touch screen upgrade kits.

Check out the complete Newsletter HERE

VIAscan & bodyTRACE (Hooktraka)

Simon Ritchie — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 03:31:44 GMT

Production has now been completed on our DVD highlighting our groundbreaking VIAscan and bodyTRACE (including Hook-traka) systems.

These systems are revolutionising how Australian Meat processors manage their businesses & Cedar Creek Company is proud to hold the first viewing of this DVD at this week's Australian Meat Industry Council Conference at the Gold Coast in Queensland.

Sunset Equipment Program 2009

Simon Ritchie — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:11:04 GMT

Each year Cedar Creek Company ("CCC") (and formerly Sastek) review all equipment that has been supplied and serviced to identify equipment that can no longer be supported.

This equipment will be termed "Sunset" and will no longer be supported under any service agreement, where possible CCC has identified suitable upgrade option for each piece of equipment and the estimated cost of the replacement equipment.

Generally sunset equipment is at least 4 years old, the original manufacturer does not build any longer and the original manufacturer has advised CCC that they will also cease support of this equipment.

CCC would like to work with all our customers who have equipment that is on the sunset list to upgrade to the newest supported hardware equipment to ensure we can continue to support your operations.

Spare parts stock for any Sunset equipment will no longer be maintained and CCC will no longer pre-order, parts will only be ordered when required and subject to availability and delivery times.

If you have question in regards to equipment you currently have under contract, please do not hesitate to contact our sales team, our service team or myself for any assistance.

Sunset Program - Equipment List (valid as of 2012)

Product Description	Equipment Type	Sunset Date	Recommended Replacement	Replacement Cost	Comments
Hardware
Falcon 340 Batch Scanner	Scanner	1 July 2008	NONE	N/A
Falcon 4420 Scanner	Scanner	1 July 2009	Motorola MC9xxx	TBA
Intermec 24xx Scanners	Scanner	1 July 2009	Motorola MC9xxx	TBA
Intermec CK30 Scanners	Scanner	1 July 2009	Motorola MC9xxx	TBA
Intermec 201 Thermal Printers	Printer	1 July 2008	Intermec PF4i Direct Thermal	$7450.00 includes new S/S enclosure
Intermec 501 Thermal Printers	Printer	1 July 2009	Intermec PX4i Direct Thermal	$4,500.00
Intermec F4 Thermal Printers	Printer	1 July 2009	Intermec PF4i Direct Thermal	$3,400.00
Intermec 601 Thermal Printers	Printer	1 July 2009	Intermec PX6i Direct Thermal	$5,200.00
Gedge 1650 Scale Indicators	Indicators	1 July 2008	A&D 4407 Scale Indicator	$1350.00, indicator only
A&D 4327 Scale Indicators	Indicators	1 July 2008	A&D 4407 Scale Indicator	$1350.00, indicator only
HEC - All 10" & 12" Versions	HEC	1 July 2008	15" SAS HEC (2009 Model)	$7,200.00
15" SAS HEC (Pre 6894 Model)	HEC	1 July 2009	15" SAS HEC (2009 Model)	$7,200.00
15" CCC HEC (SBCA04 Model)	HEC	1 July 2009	15" SAS HEC (2009 Model)	$7,200.00
15" CCC HEC (SBCB04 Model)	HEC	1 July 2009	15" SAS HEC (2009 Model)	$7,200.00
15" CCC HEC (SBCA06 Model)	HEC	1 July 2010	15" SAS HEC (2009 Model)	$7,200.00
Software
SASTEK FoodChain 3	ERP	1 July 2008	CCC FoodChain 5 (v11)	Nil for TCS Customers	No Service Pack - No Enhancements
SASTEK FoodChain 4	ERP	1 January 2012	CCC FoodChain 5 (v11)	Nil for TCS Customers	No Service Pack / Bug Releases - All Enhancements Chargeable
Cedar Creek Software (pre Version 10)	ERP	1 January 2012	CCC FoodChain 5 (v11)	Nil for TCS Customers	No Service Pack / Bug Releases - All Enhancements Chargeable
SASTEK Printerm (pre Version 6)	On-Floor	1 July 2009	Printerm 6	Nil for TCS Customers	No Service Pack - No Enhancements
SASTEK Interm (pre Version 12)	On-Floor	1 July 2009	Printerm 12	Nil for TCS Customers	No Service Pack - No Enhancements

* TCS Continuation Period: CCC will continue to provide TCS coverage on the new equipment at the superseded equipment rate for customers who upgrade equipment within the nominated period. Customer who upgrade afterwards will be charged the current going rate for TCS for the new equipment.