11 April 2026

Leaders in Automation for food procesing

MHM Automation designs and supplies automated systems for food processing. They understand the challenges processors face and develop solutions to deliver better quality product with improved food safety and reduced reliance on manual labour.

The company is recognised as a technology leader, with its equipment installed for some of the world’s most prominent names in dairy and meat processing.

For primary processors of cheese, MHM Automation provides complete line automation from the cheese tower to palletising, including the BetaVac vacuum packing system and Milmeq cheese cooling tunnel, renowned for its reliability and simplicity of operation.

For primary processors of meat and fresh produce, they offer complete line automation from packing to palletising. Equipment includes AiCo carton erectors, lidders and closers, and Milmeq chilling and freezing tunnels or Milmeq plate freezers for fast, energy-efficient freezing.

For secondary processors, the H&C reverse packaging system is the only one of its kind, providing complete process automation at the front end of the processing line. Functions include de-palletising, de-cartoning, de-bagging and defect detection. Integrated vision systems allow for variability in product shape and size.

MHM Automation’s point of difference is their ability to develop custom solutions in response to each processor’s needs and integrate them within the existing production line. The partnership with Rockit is an example of this approach.

Tasked with increasing the throughput at the Rockit apple packing plant, MHM Automation reviewed the existing operations and identified tube filling as the first priority task to automate. A product development process followed, including design, prototyping, testing and proving and then fine-tuning before producing the final machines now installed at the plant. Their work with Rockit continues, with focus now turning to automating the orientation and placement of apples onto the infeed conveyor, prior to filling the tubes.

From its offices across New Zealand and Australia, MHM Automation supplies food processors around the world. The company has a significant presence in the Hawkes Bay, with its centre of excellence for packaging and reverse packaging systems in Hastings (historically Haden & Custance) employing 55 staff in the region.

Talk to one of their industry specialists about how automation could benefit your processing operation and get your plant future-ready.

Damon Harvey is the Editor and Publisher of The Profit, Hawke’s Bay’s leading business magazine dedicated to celebrating the region’s businesses and the people driving them forward. With more than 20 years of experience in journalism, marketing, public relations, and content development, Damon is passionate about telling stories that inspire and strengthen the local business community. A committed advocate for Hawke’s Bay enterprise, Damon founded The Profit as a platform to highlight business success, innovation, and leadership across the region. He also leads The Profit Unleashed, a dynamic business event series that brings together Hawke’s Bay’s business leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to share insights, build connections, and celebrate achievement. Alongside his wife, Anna Lorck, Damon is a Director of Attn! Marketing PR, a strategic communications agency that helps organisations build trust, enhance reputation, and achieve meaningful results. Damon brings extensive governance experience to his work. He is Chair of Gemco Construction, and previously chaired Sport Hawke’s Bay. He also served nine years as a Hastings District Councillor, contributing to community and economic development. Outside of work, Damon enjoys surfing, mountain biking, and CrossFit, and values time spent with his family — including his wife and their five daughters. If you’ve got a great story to share, contact Damon at 021 2886 772 or damon@attn.co.nz

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