Virgin PET

Virgin Atlantic recently selected Australian wine to go into its first 1 litre PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles. Being so much lighter than glass, PET is a natural choice for airlines.

As PET specialists, Portavin Melbourne was selected to bottle wine into 1 litre PET bottles destined for Virgin Atlantic. The first examples of this new package made their debut on Virgin Atlantic inflight services in January this year and according to all accounts are working well.

Portavin is a logical company for an airline to deal with because of our independence and strong contacts with the boutique wineries, as well as the medium and large producers.

If you’d like to find out more about PET bottling, contact ian.matthews@portavin.com

Portavin’s Arc

The Arc is a high performance voltage optimisation device which creates energy savings of between 8-16%. The Arc had been used successfully in several businesses with big demands on lighting but never in a manufacturing facility...until now.

Portavin Melbourne was approached by Energy Wise to trial the Arc, which is essentially a huge box connecting the power source to machinery. The Arc has no moving parts and passively smooths power demand on electricity thus using the power more efficiently.

Thanks to AusIndustry’s Re-tooling for Climate Change program, Portavin installed the Arc at a reduced cost and current analysis shows a remarkable 10% reduction in Portavin’s power usage. We expect to recoup the cost of the Arc in less than two years through such savings…not to mention the environmental benefits and reduction in our carbon footprint.

The Arc device is available to wineries by contacting Wade Barber at Energy Wise info@energywise.net.au – tell him Portavin sent you!

Accreditations count

Wine producers competing in export markets need the comfort of knowing that their bottling and packaging meet all accreditation requirements.

Portavin Melbourne is committed to a comprehensive accreditation program, which is part of our robust management system.

Wine Technical Services Manager, Matt Aldridge, ensures that NATA 17025 accreditation for the Portavin laboratory is maintained, with three staff as approved signatories. For any questions re NATA accreditation contact matt.aldridge@portavin.com

Production Manager, Gavin Wade ensures the following accreditations are kept up to date:
- BRC Issue 5. Grade “A” status achieved 5 years running, (annual
  certification is required)
- ISO 9001: 2008
- ISO 22000: 2005
- Australian Certified Organic, Processor 10429P.

If you’d like more information on accreditation and copies of these certificates, contact gavin.wade@portavin.com

Container packing

Portavin is pleased to offer container packing onsite, using the cost efficient slip sheet method. This process entails placing the slip sheet, a specially designed thin piece of strong plastic, between the stock and the pallet at the time of production. At the point of loading the container, the slip sheet forklift has an extendable arm which grabs the plastic sheet and the stock off the pallet onto its specially modified wide tynes. The forklift can then drive into the container and push the stock off the tynes as a wrapped bundle directly to the floor of the container.

This slip sheet method allows for more efficient, secure and space saving container packing, saving customers time and money. By container packing onsite, customers also save by not having to freight to an offsite packing service. Our onsite container services are just another example of our Integrated Services and for more information, contact matt.aldridge@portavin.com

Meet Chris O’Brien

Customer Service Officer - Production

Chris grew up near the Yarra Valley in Mooroolbark, where he resides today with his wife and 16 month old daughter.

After completing high school at Aquinas College, Ringwood, Chris began working as a removalist. He then progressed to Dell Logistics, where he worked for 5 years coordinating the logistics associated with hardware, computers and servers.

Chris was pleased to be offered a position with Portavin in 2004 as Dry Goods Coordinator, taking charge of Portavin’s inventory control and stock management. Today, Chris is primarily responsible for packaging wine, once a quote has been accepted by the customer. Chris says of his role, “Portavin is a great place to work and I enjoy being part of a really good team. I like the interaction I have with our customers and the rapport I have with them. I am always learning more about our products and customer needs, so it is never dull.”

In his spare time, Chris is undertaking a post graduate certificate in business management (supply chain), which he expects to complete later this year. He also plays premier cricket (has done for 16 years) and loves spending time with his family. Chris is also an avid snowboarder, enjoying the fields at Falls Creek, Hotham, Japan and New Zealand.

Favourite wine: Big fan of Pinot Noir and Shiraz.
Favourite food: Indian and Thai
Footy team: Melbourne
Favourite film: “Shawshank Redemption”
Favourite book: “Never Say Die”