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Emydex expands in Canada: a game changer for Food Traceability

Emydex expands in Canada: a game changer for Food Traceability

Customers

It has been a busy year of expansion for the Emydex Team in North America. We started deploying our solution to a prominent multi-plant poultry provider in the region, initiating with a Packing and Labelling Solution for their key facility in Waterloo, Ontario. We are eager to commence integration with their enterprise-wide ERP system and to launch enhanced features in Waterloo and additional sites.

In the Seafood sector, we've been collaborating with a leading seafood company in British Columbia for a few years now, focusing on tailored solutions for their distinct Roe Herring processing. At the same time, we are enhancing their utilization of our standard features across various fish species processing operations.

Our inaugural client in North America, a major pork processing company that has been with us since 2017, is planning to be extend their existing three production operations, to a fourth plant, a state-of-the-art Sow Processing Facility in Saskatchewan, with Emydex delivering the factory floor MES solution. This project brings unique hardware and software challenges, and we are thrilled to customize the Emydex system to meet their operational needs.

PEOPLE

Our Emydex team of people in Canada has been growing along with our business. This year we are pleased to welcome Franzreved Vendiola to the team, working out of Sakatchewan. Franzreved has been a valuable addition to the team, supporting our customers in British Columbia as well as Ontario. We also look forward to welcoming Alistair Walmsley, who recently joining our growing team in Canada, working from his home office in British Columbia.

The addition of Fransreved and Alastair means Emydex engineers are available to communicate and support our customers from East to West Coast North America, also well placed resources for our 24/7 global support coverage system, which leverages our staff in timezones around the world, including locations such as Auckland, Brisbane and Perth, as well as Dublin and Europe obviously.

BAADER

With the recent news of our strategic partnership with BAADER, headquartered in Germany, Emydex had the pleasure of joining some BAADER executives for customer visits in British Columbia, where we were able to introduce the partnership to many of our customers, some of whom are already customers of BAADER also. Soon after that successful trip we were pleased to host a visit from Mrs. Baader, CEO of BAADER Global, in our Canadian base area of Waterloo Ontario.

In the market we are seeing a lot of interest in Emydex's newly released Kill Line and Payment Modules. The process of managing a Meat Packer’s harvest floor has gotten much more complicated. Meat Packers must track and process different breeds, different raising methods (eg. Antibiotic Free, Organic, free-range, etc.). These additional tracking requirements are stressing the Meat Packers' existing Kill line and Payment Management System. Emydex provides a parameter driven Kill Line and Payment Management System, to allow Packers to migrate very quickly to a solution that allows them to be more efficient and manage the payment process.

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

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Forresters Chicken Celebrates a Decade of Quality Management with Emydex

Over the past ten years, Forresters Chicken has leveraged Emydex's Quality Management system to enhance accuracy, reduce human error, gain real-time insights into quality data, and improve traceability. This collaboration has significantly transformed Forresters Chicken's operations, ensuring the highest standards of quality and efficiency in their processes.

Meet the Client

Established in 1972, Forresters is one of the largest suppliers of cooked, raw, and coated poultry in the United Kingdom. Based in Cheshire, the company provides retailers, food services, pub retailers, manufacturers, and catering butchers with frozen, chilled branded, and own-label chicken products. To maintain its reputation for high-quality standards, Forresters set out to enhance its quality management processes.

The Opportunity

With a growing client base and increasing production demands, Forresters required a more streamlined and robust approach to quality management. Existing manual quality checks were resource-intensive and prone to human error, especially as production volumes rose. Furthermore, limited real-time access to quality data hindered swift decision-making and posed challenges in meeting regulatory standards.

Forresters needed a comprehensive Quality Management System (QMS) that could automate quality workflows, provide real-time data, and integrate with their ERP system for seamless traceability and compliance tracking. Forresters had been operating an Emydex factory floor MES (Manufacturing Execution System) for production control, yield management and traceability reporting for many years, so it was a straightforward decision to extend our Emydex software footprint to include all of our Quality, Compliance and Food Safety Management processes.

What We Did

Working closely with Forrester’s management, our team worked with Emydex to develop and implement a customised QMS solution that aligned with Forrester's operational goals. The implementation process was structured in two main phases:

1. Phase One - Digitalising Quality Checks
Forresters began by introducing automated digital checklists across the production floor, replacing paper logs and allowing quality checks to be completed via tablets at each workstation. Data is now collected on tablets running the Emydex Quality system in real-time, and any deviations from standards trigger instant alerts, allowing issues to be addressed immediately.

2. Phase Two - Comprehensive Quality Dashboard
In the next phase, Forresters deployed an Emydex quality system dashboard for management and supervisors, providing a centralised view of quality metrics across production. The dashboard consolidates data on batch compliance, audit trails, incident reporting, and corrective actions. Fully integrated with Forrester's ERP system, it links directly to purchasing and inventory data, ensuring traceability from raw materials to finished products.

3. Automated Audit and Compliance Reporting
A key feature of the Emydex EQMS is its automated compliance reporting. The system generates real-time, auditable compliance reports accessible from any device, dramatically reducing the time required for internal and external audits. Issues are flagged and assigned for resolution, enhancing accountability across departments.

The Results

Since implementing the Emydex Quality Management system, Forresters has significantly improved operational efficiency and quality compliance.

Enhanced Accuracy and Reduced Human Error: Automated digital checklists have replaced manual entries, reduced errors and ensured consistency in quality checks across all lines.

Real-Time Quality Insights: Managers and supervisors can now view quality metrics instantly, enabling quick decision-making and proactive quality control.

Efficient Compliance Audits: Compliance reporting, which previously required days of preparation, is now generated instantly by Emydex, saving time and resources. Audit readiness has also improved, as records are automatically archived and easily accessible.

Improved Traceability: The QMS enables complete traceability from raw material intake to finished product distribution, facilitating stock rotation and maintaining quality at every stage.

Feedback from Key Stakeholders

Dwayne Chin, Head of Technical at Forresters, noted, “The Emydex QMS has been transformative for our business. Our team no longer spends hours sorting through paper logs; we can spot and address issues immediately. Compliance reporting that once took days is now ready in minutes, giving us more control over quality and peace of mind.”

John Acornley, Finance Director, added, “With the Emydex Quality system in place, Forresters have significantly reduced errors and improved our response times. The Emydex automated alerts keep our team informed, and the dashboard makes it easy to stay on top of production quality. It’s been a huge upgrade.”

Summary

The Emydex Quality Management System implemented at Forresters has streamlined operations and reinforced its commitment to delivering high-quality products to its clients. By enhancing workflows, improving traceability, and enabling instant access to quality data, the QMS has empowered Forresters to meet regulatory standards and confidently scale its operations.

Don't wait! Embrace the future of quality management with Emydex's Electronic Quality Management Software (EQMS).

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

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Emydex’s Cutting-Edge Technology for Sheep tracking with NLIS.

Emydex’s Cutting-Edge Technology for Sheep tracking with NLIS.

Following Victoria’s introduction of RFID ear tags for sheep and the requirement for all sheep to be registered in the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) the other Australian states have now also mandated this with most requiring the system to be in place by January 2025.

Emydex is well-positioned to be able to assist processors in implementing the system in a cost-effective and efficient way. Having had a system in place from the very first Emydex beef implementation eight years ago and subsequently with a sheep processor in Victoria, the standard livestock processing system can interface with RFID ear tag readers in the yards as well as on the processing floor.

Livestock can be scanned in the yards as it is unloaded via RFID panel readers connected to an Emydex delivery terminal. This station can record the delivery information such as the vehicle details, NVD number, animal numbers delivered, welfare issues and stock conditions such as wool pull. This data not only updates the delivery information but also uploads the ear tag data to the NLIS database to perform a ‘transfer holdings’ to the abattoir PIC. At this time, any alerts or warnings for the delivered stock are downloaded to the Emydex system.

Similarly, checking of the RFID on the processing line can raise any issues to the processing staff by checking the NLIS database in real-time and triggering alerts to the processing staff. The stations that read the RFID data can be stand-alone, non-manned stations or can be used to collect other information such as stun data (voltage, duration, rise time), sex and dentition, manual ear tags, animal health and weights thereby maximising the utilisation of such stations and enhancing the information collected on the line for later reporting.

 

Example Processing Line NLIS station.

Emydex-Processing Line NLIS station

The NLIS data is uploaded to the NLIS database either on an individual animal or lot basis thereby meeting the processor's statutory requirements whilst enhancing the efficiency and data collection on the processing line itself.

 

Emydex NLIS Interface Management Screen

Emydex NLIS Interface Management Screen

The Emydex kill line solution provides a comprehensive solution for the management and processing of livestock from procurement to payment and can be a simple, one-station grading station to sophisticated RFID gambrel tracking solutions processing many carcasses per minute.

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

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Expanding Live Animal Handling Functionality

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

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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

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

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

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

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