The
Lamattina Group employs in excess of 100 staff to plough, sow,
harvest, wash, grade and pack the produce. Excellent administration
is the key to success for an operation of this size. Russell and
Tina ensure that
quality,
efficiency and accuracy operate at all levels of the business - all
their valued staff have an important part to play in the delivery of
quality vegetables to all their outlets.
All the
properties have excellent, well-prepared and maintained soil
ensuring the highest quality vegetables possible. An agronomist is
used to monitor all crops and ensure that the soil is carefully
rotated, conditioned and nourished. A total of nearly 100 years of
knowledge, skill and experience is called upon throughout the
growing seasons to ensure good growing soil.
A
meticulous planting and feeding program ensures that the crops
receive the best possible consideration. Mechanised planting is
carried out at all the properties. Again, the continuation of
knowledge through the generations of the Lamattina family makes it
possible to successfully blend the old and the new technology.
All the
crops are controlled by a computer operated irrigation system using
satellite technology and GPS (Global Positioning System), to
ensuring an optimum yield from each crop. Everyday, hundreds of mega
litres of water from on-site dams are showered constantly on tender,
growing crops. The produce is then harvested using the latest
technology to ensure that it is undamaged and arrives at its
destination in the best possible condition available.
Quality
control is imperative and operates at all levels of production from
the time the soil is first turned over, through to when the crops
are harvested, graded, packed, pre-cooled and finally loaded onto
massive trucks to be delivered daily. In 1998 The Lamattina Group
attained the Woolworths Quality Assurance Standard (WQA) based on
the Codex HACCP principles (Certificate Number 055W).
The
efficient transport of perishable produce is vital in the delivery
of prime quality and freshness to the consumer. The Lamattina Group
maintains control over their own fleet of trucks, which operate
around the clock. There are massive prime movers that pull
refrigerated trailers belonging to the company, which deliver daily
to major food-chain supermarkets and the fresh markets around
Australia.
The
Lamattina Group has long recognised the importance of supplying a
product that meets with the requirements of the consumer. It prides
itself in having a progressive attitude towards technological
advances in the horticultural field, and also as a company that
paves the way in innovation and advancements in all facets of the
industry.
Their
commitment to the preservation of the environment is exemplary in
all of their horticultural ventures, and they pride themselves in
working closely with government authorities to realize this end.
They understand that their actions today can impact on tomorrow’s
generations, and they intend to preserve their precious water and
soil resources for the future.
The
Lamattina Group is running and developing an enterprise with vision
and clear goals. Technologies are adopted to improve both products
and services. The Group will achieve this whilst maintaining the
skills and personal business ethics that have brought them to the
top in the 21st century.
