Mercer Mushrooms: elevating productivity with Unipak

As a cornerstone of New Zealand’s mushroom industry, Mercer Mushrooms is dedicated to innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement. Over the past decade, the farm has experienced remarkable growth, evolving from its startup days of producing 15 tons of mushrooms per week to an impressive 40 tons today. 

This success has been fueled by strategic investments in cutting-edge Dutch growing rooms, a specialised enclosed compost production facility, and an advanced composting and growing infrastructure.

A culture of excellence and innovation

Mercer Mushrooms' commitment to excellence is deeply embedded in its culture. Post-Harvest Manager Sashi Cassidy highlights the driving force behind their progress:

“It’s always been important to strive for new heights in the mushroom industry. Our founders, the Inger family, ingrained this ambition into the DNA of our business.” 

“Today, our 100+ strong team continues to pursue excellence, and it’s essential that we support them with the right tools to perform their jobs effectively, with passion and dedication.”

This dedication to continuous improvement led Mercer Mushrooms to reassess its disposable glove solution for harvesting and packhouse staff, as the existing gloves were proving inadequate.

Finding a better solution with Unipak

During an industry trade show, Mercer Mushrooms came across Unipak and was eager to explore how their solutions could enhance operations.

“With our commitment to raising the bar, we had been looking for a better option for our staff, who were frequently replacing torn or sticky gloves, slowing down productivity. 

“Meeting Unipak was the catalyst for trying something new. They were incredibly accommodating, offering free samples of their Bastion Nitrile Gloves for us to test.”

The trial proved successful, leading Mercer Mushrooms to officially partner with Unipak for its Bastion Nitrile Gloves. Just a year into the partnership, the results have been transformative.

Boosting productivity and cost savings

The impact of switching to Bastion Nitrile Gloves has been significant explains Sashi.

“Staff can now work for up to two hours without changing gloves, compared to the previous gloves that required replacing every 30 minutes. Also, the high-quality nitrile gloves reduce tearing and prevent peat from sticking, eliminating frustrations, and improving comfort.”

“With fewer glove changes, workflows are much smoother, boosting productivity.”

Mercer Mushrooms has adopted Bastion’s advanced glove dispensing system, Progenics, to further optimise operations.

“The Progenics system has helped reduce glove waste significantly. Gloves are dispensed one at a time, cuff-first, from the bottom of the box, eliminating the hassle of separating gloves or repacking unused ones. It’s a simple yet impactful change that has saved time and resources.”

Expanding the partnership

Recognising the reliability and quality of Bastion products, Mercer Mushrooms has also transitioned to Unipak for additional workplace essentials, including Bastion wipes, clip hats, and scouring pads.

“We operate year-round and need suppliers we can depend on at all times. Unipak’s high-quality products and exceptional service align perfectly with our strategy. Our account manager, Simon, regularly checks in to ensure we’re maximising our partnership.”

Looking ahead, Mercer Mushrooms is collaborating with Simon to source specialised industrial gloves for heavy-duty tasks within its facilities.

By prioritising innovation and strategic partnerships, Mercer Mushrooms continues to enhance its operational efficiency while maintaining its commitment to sustainability and excellence.

About Mercer Mushrooms:

• Founded: 2011 (formerly Cresta Mushrooms)
• Staff: 100+
• Production growth: 15 tons of mushrooms per week to 60 tons in one decade

For further information, please contact your Territory Manager or call us at 0800 864 725.