Innovation Assessment
It's easy to take part in the Innovate NI Programme. Simply complete the assessment to discover where you are on the Innovation Framework today.
Axis Technology
Platinum Level Innovator Axis Technology has secured a £4million contract in one of NI’s key overseas markets.
The Craigavon-based agri-tech business design and manufacture technology that helps farmers with the mushroom harvesting and packing process. They have announced a major deal with Canadian mushroom grower Highline Mushrooms which will create £4million of business and also create 7 new jobs for the company.
Commitment to innovation
In January this year, Axis Technology completed our online assessment and was awarded Platinum Level Innovator Status by Innovate NI, for their commitment to innovation within the agri-tech sector.
In assessing the company's information, we learned that they had researched and identified improvements that could benefit the mushroom harvesting process, a time-consuming, manual process that produces high amounts of waste and can limit the product's shelf life.
With support from Invest NI, Axis, a family-owned business with over 30 years engineering expertise, designed and developed a complete harvesting solution that consists of a Mushroom Harvesting Conveyor and also a Mushroom Processing Unit (MPU).
This new technology facilitates the mushroom harvester to harvest mushrooms up to 4 times faster while also automating the cutting, weighing, and packing part of the harvesting process, benefiting efficiencies, quality and costs.
Axis’ revolutionary mushroom harvesting system significantly reduces waste by optimising the maximum available stalk length. This increases product yield by a minimum of 10% and cuts harvesting costs by around half.
Other benefits are that it reduces bruising, or other damage caused during the harvesting process which improves quality and extends shelf life. Overall, the system provides increased efficiencies and profitability for farms and farmers.
Axis Technology was awarded Platinum Level Innovator status because they have successfully identified a real industry problem, developed a product that solves the problem and benefits the customer, manufactured and sold it, and created value for their businesses through sustained sales and growth.