The new primal cutter at Alliance Group's Dannevirke plant.

State-of-the-art robotic technology is now running as part of the Alliance Group's $10.6 million investment in its Dannevirke meat processing site.

The primal/middle cutting machinery is part of the co-operative's investment programme in the plant which also included a redsigning the boning room.

The technology is the most advanced system of its kind in New Zealand. The custom-built primal/middle cutting technology features an x-ray unit which analyses each carcass and instructs two cutting machines where to cut.

It automatically adjusts to a wide variation in carcass size, a challenge in the red meat processing sector. The technology also minimises waste and improves the accuracy of the cut.

READ MORE: Meat company Alliance to spend more than $10 million on robotics at Dannevirke site

The co-operative has also invested in changing the way the boning room operates to improve performance and quality.

Alliance chief executive David Surveyor said the investment fitted with the company's strategy to boost returns to its farmer shareholders.

"As a 100 per cent farmer-owned co-operative, we can combine the talents of our people with the latest technology such as the primal cutter to lift the efficiency of our livestock processing and deliver the gains back to our shareholders. This technology will result in higher product yields with additional productivity and safety benefits.

"Investments in technology and a commitment to innovation are major drivers in Alliance's Manufacturing Excellence Programme to further build on improving operational performance within the co-operative."

Surveyor said the investment reflects Alliance's commitment to its farmer shareholders and the Dannevirke community.

"Our Dannevirke plant is a vital part of our business. We are pleased with its performance and committed to further lifting that performance. Our goal is to lift the performance and productivity of all our plants and ensure we remain the leader in New Zealand red meat production."

Dannevirke is the third of the company's plants to receive the technology following Smithfield in Timaru and Pukeuri in Oamaru.

"The installation of this technology builds on the previous experience from the other plants by improving the operation of the further processing room," Surveyor said.

 - Stuff