Hilton Foods Group expanded its business in New Zealand as Hilton Foods New Zealand Limited (HFNZ), building a meat processing facility to service their existing and newly acquired clients. This facility is the first and the largest of its kind in New Zealand.

The plant comprises a ground floor, first floor and mezzanine level partitioned into various temperature-controlled areas. These range from a small freezer at -25°C, to the production area at 70°C to the storage are at 1°C. There are other areas held at approximately 18°C. The floor area of the facility is 16,270 m² with an office area of approximately 1,500 m². The imperviousness of the site has been calculated at approximately 92.5%.

Most of the meat processing is done automatically by robotic activity in a process line, supported by various utilities and process gasses. The level of sophistication of the mechanical and electronic systems that are required to keep the facility functioning is unprecedented in New Zealand.

RDT Pacific’s track record in industrial developments was a key factor in being engaged as Project Manager to deliver this fully automated, state-of-the-art food production facility for Hilton Foods. Due to the complex nature of the project, we provided both site and office-based project managers to oversee the project.

The complexity of the design, procurement and construction of the facility necessitated a regimented coordination process. This was completed through weekly design meetings and rigorous consultant collaboration.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) was employed. This crucial process reduced design errors, clashes and assisted in coordination items.