Company News

Expanding Live Animal Handling Functionality

9th August 2023

Having rewritten from scratch, the core Emydex warehousing functions into our new Emydex XDA Android application, Emydex have expanded the handheld scanning functionality to cover Live Animal handling for beef processing, lamb processing and pork processing.

Deaths of animals (prior to slaughter) are now able to be captured in Emydex using the XDA application on portable handheld devices which includes options not limited to Dead-On-Arrival, Condemn on Arrival, Dead-in-Yard and Condemn-in-Yard.

“Although it does not happen often when an injured animal is presented and the veterinarian and company animal welfare officer (AWO) agree that the animal is not fit for slaughter, the animal should be killed on the spot to ensure that animal suffering is minimised” – Shane Hayes Product Manager.

The XDA application now also allows approved operators to be able to capture the details of the animal such as ear tag or slap mark/tattoo and the reasons why the animal has been condemned. This information can then be used for historical reporting, as well as analysis and trending using Emydex BI.

XDA-RFID

At times, customers will need to feed animals whilst they are on the plant before they are killed. Feeding details such as feed type, time, operator and comments can now be captured against a lot of animals using handheld devices.

Lastly, when bovine or ovine have EID ear tags, customers using Bluetooth wands connected to Emydex Android devices can wand the cows or lambs and associate these ear tags with a selected lot. Operators can instantly see the expected quantity, scanned quantity and percentage complete. Once the wanding is completed, documentation can be printed directly from the device.

If you want to learn more – contact Emydex in any of our global market offices in Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, or North America

BAADER ACQUIRES MAJORITY STAKE IN EMYDEX

21st July 2023

Attending the contract signing in Dublin were L-R: David McMahon, CEO of Emydex, Petra Baader, CEO of BAADER Global SE and James Grennan, CTO of Emydex

BAADER ACQUIRES MAJORITY STAKE IN EMYDEX, ESTABLISHING ITS LEADERSHIP IN DIGITALISATION EXPERTISE FOR THE FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY

BAADER has acquired a majority stake in EMYDEX Technology, a leading provider of Manufacturing Execution System (MES) software for the food processing sector.
EMYDEX's international expansion will be bolstered by BAADER's global presence, enabling both companies to offer expanded and complementary product offerings.
Customers in the food processing sector will benefit from the combined expertise of BAADER and EMYDEX, leading to an increase in digital products, including new technologies such as AI solutions.

BAADER, a globally renowned manufacturer and supplier of food processing machinery and solutions, has acquired a majority stake in EMYDEX Technology. EMYDEX is an international leader in the provision of scalable Manufacturing Execution System (MES) software for the food processing sector. Combining the strengths of both companies will mean enhanced digital capabilities for BAADER and accelerated growth and market reach for EMYDEX.

EMYDEX was founded in 2004 in Ireland and has since expanded into a global concern marketing a scalable MES software solution that addresses the challenges of process management in the food industry. Now, its top-tier solution is integrated in food processing facilities across Canada, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

BAADER Global SE is the global partner for food processing solutions with over 100 years of experience. Headquartered in Luebeck, Germany, the company develops innovative and holistic solutions that ensure intelligent, safe, efficient and sustainable food processing at all stages. With 30 subsidiaries in Europe, the USA, China, South America, Africa and Asia, BAADER employs 1,600 people in more than 100 countries.

This new development marks a significant milestone for both BAADER and EMYDEX. With the acquisition of EMYDEX as a subsidiary company, BAADER moves to integrate its digitalisation division across all food processing sectors, delivering innovative EMYDEX MES solutions to customers in the red meat and poultry industries. EMYDEX will see its international expansion plans bolstered thanks to the market leadership and global presence BAADER brings to the table. As a result, both companies will be strongly positioned to offer expanded and complementary product offerings to their customers.

Following today’s announcement, David McMahon and James Grennan of EMYDEX, CEO and CTO, respectively, will continue as shareholders and will retain their executive roles with the company.

Petra Baader, CEO of BAADER Global SE, expressed her delight at the successful acquisition, stating, "This significant step promises to enhance our portfolio offerings. As a crucial strategic pillar for the BAADER Group, digitalisation will be significantly strengthened through this acquisition, promising increased value for our customers in the future. The impressive track record of EMYDEX and its reputation within the food industry make it an ideal fit for BAADER. We warmly welcome the entire EMYDEX team to the BAADER family. We are looking forward to working together to propel factory floor automation into the future.”

David McMahon, CEO of EMYDEX, said, "Today is a landmark day for EMYDEX as we announce the details of our strategic partnership with BAADER. As demand for EMYDEX’s solutions continued to grow – particularly from large-scale global customers with multiple plants – we knew we needed to fund the growth opportunity. BAADER, with its similar culture and ethos, as well as the access it provides to new markets, was the ideal partner to help bring EMYDEX on the next stage of its journey. We’re very excited to work with the BAADER team to realise our collective plans for growth and innovation over the coming years.”

L-R: Dr. Norbert Engberg, CEO of Digitalisation at BAADER, David McMahon, CEO of Emydex, Petra Baader, CEO of BAADER Global SE, James Grennan, CTO of Emydex, Dr. Nils Grenda, Chief Corporate Secretary at BAADER

Dr. Norbert Engberg, CEO Digitalisation at BAADER, noted, "One plus one is more than two: The global network and existing customer relationships maintained by BAADER significantly expand the market potential for both EMYDEX and BAADER. Our enhanced global presence will further solidify this position." He added that “EMYDEX combines performance with a strong presence in the red meat and further food processing, thereby positioning us to open up new markets and opportunities.”

The acquisition aligns with the strategic objective set by BAADER to lead rapid digital transformation and software advancements in the food industry. While the existing software solutions for the fish industry will remain a core part of the BAADER product portfolio, now BAADER is empowered to provide comprehensive digital solutions and services that cultivate even stronger customer relationships. The partnership also fosters an environment conducive to technological and market growth for EMYDEX. Food processing customers will benefit from the combined expertise of BAADER and EMYDEX as together, they pave the way for an increase in digital products, including new technologies such as AI solutions..

For more information, please contact:
Harald Ehren
Global Head of Corporate Communications
Mobile: +49 162 723 1207
Email: press@baader.com

About EMYDEX

Emydex was founded in Ireland almost 20 years ago in 2004. Since then, it has become a world leader in the supply of factory floor software solutions. It has expanded beyond Ireland with its best-in-class solution found in food processing facilities in Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Southern Africa. Its team of 60 is located in its four global offices around the globe.

About BAADER

BAADER is a global leader in food processing solutions with over a century of experience and a presence in 100+ countries. Our team of 1,600 professionals is dedicated to supporting food and protein suppliers worldwide. We specialize in fish and poultry processing and are transforming the industry through digitalization and data analysis. Our solutions, rooted in engineering principles, prioritize gentle, hygienic food handling and aim to enhance efficiency, traceability, and sustainability.

More details on BAADER can be found at www.baader.com and EMYDEX www.emydex.com

Ministerial visit to Silver Fern Farms for St Patrick’s Day

17th March 2023

Enterprise Ireland welcomed Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine of Ireland, Charlie McConalogue to New Zealand where he visited the Silver Fern Farm in Christchurch to see the Emydex Technology factory floor software in action.

#StPatricksDay2023 #InnovationAtTheEdge #SilverFernFarms #Emydex

Attending the Ministerial visit were L-R above: Dylan Marsh, STREAMLINE Lead, Silver Fern Farms; Mary Kinnane, APAC Director Enterprise Ireland; Brendan Gleeson, the Secretary-General in the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Matt Ballard, Chief transformation officer, Silver Fern Farms; Charlie McConalogue T.D, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine of Ireland; H.E. Jane Connolly, Ambassador of Ireland to New Zealand; Jeffrey Macer-Wright, General Manager, Emydex Australasia; Niall Casey, Enterprise Ireland

The ministerial visit followed soon after another visit to the Silver Fern Farm’s Belfast plant the week before by Emydex CEO, David McMahon, accompanied by Emydex Australasia General Manager, Jeffrey Macer-Wright, Ian Carson, Emydex Technical Sales Manager, and Chris Baker, Project Manager with Emydex New Zealand (pictured below)

On the visit, the Emydex team met with the Silver Fern Farm’s Belfast plant management team including Plant Manager, Phil Kilgour, as well as other managers in the plant

Emydex CEO, David McMahon with Phil Kilgour, Belfast Plant manager

Emydex & Silver Fern Farm’s Belfast team

Emydex Team safety briefing with Silver Fern Farm’s Belfast Kill Floor Manager

Emydex CEO, David McMahon at the Emydex Beef Grading Terminal on the factory floor

Emydex Tour of Australia and New Zealand

13th March 2023

A lot of ground was covered by Emydex in Australia and New Zealand over three weeks in February and March, visiting both customers and prospects in Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and North & South Islands in New Zealand

It was great for Emydex CEO David McMahon to finally (post covid) meet and get to know all our fifteen hard-working Emydex employees working around Perth, Brisbane, Auckland, and Christchurch.

Week 1 of the trip centred around Emydex customer meetings in Western Australia (Harvey Beef, WAMMCO), Victoria (O’Connor Beef, Central Agri group), Wagga Wagga (Junee Lamb), finishing up in Sydney on Friday for a series of meetings with prospective customers. This gave Emydex CEO David McMahon and Emydex GM for Australasia, Jeffrey Macer-Wright, time on Saturday morning to take in some of the sights of Sydney via a running tour, before heading on to Auckland over the weekend.

Centre: A statue of Sir Thomas Mort in Sydney Harbour, founder of Emydex customer, Mort & Co

Week 2 focussed on customer and prospect meetings in the North and South Islands in New Zealand. In New Zealand, Jeffrey and David met up with Ian Carson, as well as five Emydex NZ employees working around Auckland on North Island, and Christchurch on the South Island. Emydex staff travelled from their WFH locations to attend deferred Emydex Christmas parties in Auckland and Christchurch.

Customer visits included Wilson Hellaby, North Island, as well as visiting Christchurch to see Emydex in action in the Silver Ferns Beef primal processing plant in Belfast. The latter half of the week was spent in Dunedin for a series of meetings in Silver Fern Farms' head office, as well as meetings with prospects, and a potential partner company, Scott Technology.

Left: Wilson Hellaby, Auckland. Centre: SFF, Belfast, Christchurch. Right: SFF HQ, Dunedin

Week 3 was spent mainly in Queensland, Australia, where Emydex has an office supporting our ten staff in South Brisbane in the city centre. Customer meetings were held over two days, with Mort & Co at their head office in Toowoomba, followed by a visit to see one of their feedlots in operation at Grassdale. In addition, a visit to see one of Mort & Cos supplier factories. Scheduling challenges meant the team had to settle for a virtual call with Emydex customer Sunpork, based in Eagle Farm, close to our Brisbane office. The remainder of the week included several prospective customer meetings in both Queensland and Victoria. The week ended with Birthday celebrations for long-serving Emydex employee Carl Brennan, a Lead Solutions Engineer with Emydex for over 10 years, who last year permanently relocated with his family from Ireland to Brisbane.

Left: most of the Emydex Brisbane office team. Centre: Grassdale feedlot. Right: Carl Brennan

Overall, the three-week trip included nine customer meetings, as well as nine prospective customer meetings, and culminated with a visit by Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine of Ireland, Jane Connolly, Ambassador of Ireland to New Zealand, and a delegation from Enterprise Ireland to see Emydex in action in the Silver Fern Farms Ltd primary beef processing plant in Belfast, Christchurch.

L-R: Dylan Marsh, STREAMLINE Lead, Silver Fern Farms; Mary Kinnane, APAC Director Enterprise Ireland; Brendan Gleeson, the Secretary-General in the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Matt Ballard, Chief Transformation Officer, Silver Fern Farms; Charlie McConalogue T.D, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine of Ireland; H.E. Jane Connolly, Ambassador of Ireland to New Zealand; Jeffrey Macer-Wright, General Manager, Emydex Australasia; Niall Casey, Enterprise Ireland

Emydex’s Technical Director, James Grennan will travel out to Australia and New Zealand in April for a series of technical workshops with Emydex customers.

Both David and James will return to Australia in July when Emydex will be exhibiting at the foodpro trade show in Melbourne from 23-26 July

Dawn Pork & Bacon, 17 years on Emydex and counting

3rd February 2023

Dawn Pork & Bacon is one of Ireland’s leading Pork producers, operating out of Grannagh, Co Waterford in Ireland. May 2023 will see the 17^th year Anniversary since Emydex first started working with Dawn Pork & Bacon, in 2006.

Emydex was founded in April 2004, so Dawn P&B was one of the very first customers to go live with an Emydex software system to manage, control and report on all their production, stocks, yields, and traceability requirements.

Continuous Improvements

Initially launched on Emydex Version 3 of the application, the system has been upgraded on a number of occasions to keep the software solution in check with the latest technical developments released by Emydex in both the core system, as well as the various industry modules in use. Industry modules operated by Dawn P&B cover their entire factory floor processes, door-to-door including pig kill line and payments, carcass stock management, into-boning, boning hall management, box packing and palletizing, sales order picking, and dispatch.

In 2009 the system was extended to add an Emydex weighbridge system for Dawn to manage truck deliveries to the plant used to verify dispatch weights against weights at the bridge, eliminating potentially costly mistakes.

24/7 Support

Alan Doocey, Dawn Pork & Bacon’s IT Manager at the time later relocated with his family to Australia, eventually ending up working for Emydex Australia, where he still works today on the Emydex Australia customer support team. Alan provides real-time technical helpdesk support to Emydex customers in Australia and New Zealand, as well as other Emydex customers around the globe who signed up to a 24x7x365 support agreement. The 24x7 team is made up of support engineers like Alan in Brisbane, in addition, to support staff in New Zealand, Canada, and Dublin.

Commenting on the successful working relationship between both companies over such a long tenure, Billy Leslie, Financial controller with Dawn Pork & Bacon said

We in Dawn Pork & Bacon are delighted to celebrate a very successful partnership of 17 years with Emydex in 2023. The Emydex suite of software plays an integral part in the day-to-day running of our business. The system is very user-friendly allowing production staff to fully engage with it. As a result, the information the system produces is extremely reliable enabling us to maintain tight control of our yields, stock management, and our supply chain.

We look forward to continuing our partnership with Emydex in the future. A future that will include increased regulatory control and sustainability reporting challenges within the Agri-Business sector. In partnership with Emydex, we are confident that these challenges can be overcome.

If you want to learn more – contact our Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, or North American offices

Emydex Update from Down Under

1st February 2023

Feb 2023

2023 is shaping up to be a busy year for Emydex in this part of the world (Australasia), with the roll-out of Beef & Pork processing systems in New Zealand, several animal payments systems, as well as a first-time implementation of an export sales management system for a large feed lotting customer in Australia

Beef Processing System

Emydex Team NZ is working with one of our group beef processing customers to roll out their ‘group standard’ Emydex slaughter floor solution, to all their other beef plants in New Zealand over the next nine months. In addition, a second Emydex team is busy commissioning an Emydex solution for their first secondary butchery (boning) room. To meet this ambitious target, our 15-person strong Emydex team working in New Zealand and Australia will support both projects.

Animal Payments System

Also, in the first quarter of this year, another Emydex meat processor in New Zealand will go live with an Emydex Manufacturing Execution System (MES) for their pork processing plant, as well as commission our newly updated Central Animal Payments System (CAPS). Being multi-species in its design, it will be possible to quickly roll out this Payments system to the other divisions within the company once the pork plant goes live.

Export Sales Management System

Crossing the Tasman Sea, in Australia Emydex will commission a new Export Sales Management and Central Animal Payments System (CAPS) for beef payments for a new Emydex customer in Queensland, which is Australia’s largest privately-owned beef cattle lot feeding company. This new customer does not own any processing facilities directly, so their entire marketing and inventory management system is managed via data sent from third-party toll processors and logistics companies. The company expects to see a marked improvement in the efficiency of sales activities as well as providing visibility and traceability of their inventory from production plant to customer. Emydex will provide a strong and flexible platform to support the raid growth planned for this year.

Emerging Trends

Emydex are seeing more integration of labour-saving systems with the surfacing of data not traditionally made available to support the production staff processes. This includes data from items such as refrigeration, X-ray carcase grading systems, automated storage and retrieval units, stunning data on the kill floor, IoT devices etc. All of this is collected via a module known as the Data Communications Interface (DCI) module in the Emydex MES, and is integrated and used to support the manufacturing process and is surfaced by the MES via the inbuilt Emydex Business Intelligence (BI) reporting tool. This functionality supports the implementation of Industry 4.0 to provide a ‘whole of life’ view of the production process and to identify efficiencies and compliance issues within the production systems.

CEO Visit

Emydex Australasia is delighted to welcome our group CEO, David McMahon, back to these shores after an absence of several years due to Covid. Dave will be visiting existing customers in Western Australia, Victoria, NSW, and Queensland as well as North and South islands in New Zealand. In addition, meeting up with Emydex staff dotted across both countries, many working remotely from home, hired during the pandemic. Dave is also scheduled to meet several new companies interested in learning more about Emydex. If any readers of this newsletter are interested in learning more about Emydex or even catching up on some of the new directions and processes that are emerging in Europe, we would be more than happy to arrange a meeting whilst he is here. Please reach out to ian.carson@emydex.com.

Lamb Processing System

As the year progresses, another Emydex customer will be moving into the implementation phase of their Emydex lamb processing system, rolling out to their two Australian-based sheep processing plants in WA and NSW. Other Emydex customers will continue to implement new modules to support their existing processes whether they be web portals for farmer livestock bookings and feedback, automated chiller sortation, integration to automated labelling systems or the integration of order and stock management functions in Emydex to automated storage and retrieval systems. All these projects will deliver considerable labour savings, which considering the current labour shortages in the industry, will bring rapid payback and efficiencies to those who are embarked upon these projects.

For any information on any of the projects outlined above, please email sales@emydex.com for more information.

Expanding Live Animal Handling Functionality

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BAADER ACQUIRES MAJORITY STAKE IN EMYDEX

Attending the contract signing in Dublin were L-R: David McMahon, CEO of Emydex, Petra Baader, CEO of BAADER Global SE and James Grennan, CTO of Emydex