COUNTRY MUSHROOMS (South Africa)
Efficiently growing production & business

About Country Mushrooms

Originally established in 1986 on the Wattlewood farm (Bapsfontein area), Country Mushrooms has always been in the pursuit of growing only the finest quality mushrooms in South Africa. With the addition of neighboring Aalwyne farm Country Mushrooms quickly became one of the biggest producers of fresh mushrooms in Gauteng. This production output constitutes 85% white and 15% brown mushrooms. Thanks to their large delivery fleet Country Mushrooms is able to deliver anywhere in Gauteng and surrounding areas on a daily basis to restaurants, fast food outlets, wholesalers and chain stores.

Country Mushrooms & Christiaens Group

Our first cooperation started off far from smoothly. Country Mushrooms had done a composting project with us and were dissatisfied with the support. A second tunnel had not been made properly and that caused serious challenges. Our account manager picked it up and ensured short lines of communication with the construction expert. In a professional team and in consultation with Country Mushrooms, this was solved well and professionally. The customer was so satisfied with the approach and the result that we were immediately approached for his next challenge…

Our challenge

Country Mushrooms has two production locations that are 5 kilometres apart. One location produces mushrooms and has the composting facilities. The other location only produces mushrooms. In the future, they want to continue to grow in an efficient and effective way. That means more capacity is needed.

How can this be done efficiently and effectively? With these starting points:

Increase production capacity;
Full development must be geared to further growth in the future;
Own composting capacity is and remains leading for production capacity;
The logistic system of the current farm must be maintained;
Continuity of production must not be put under pressure.

Customised approach for a customised project

With the challenge and the starting points as a basis, we discussed the following issues:

What does Country Mushrooms want to achieve in the short and long term?
How can we anticipate and take account of these goals?
What are the (im)possibilities in terms of people, resources and materials?
Will you continue to work with phase 2; a process that you know through and through? Or will you switch to phase 3 so that you can have a faster cycle and increase capacity?

By combining the input from the discussions with our knowledge and experience, we have created the solution.

Solution

Together, we decided to separate the composting site from the production site. This has proven to be more hygienic and efficient.

The current Phase 2 will be retained and the growing rooms will be expanded. This was the best choice on paper and also in terms of feeling. And the risk, production-wise and financially, is balanced and acceptable.

The farm at the composting facility has been taken out of use and a new one has been realised at the other location. This one links up with the current existing location (in order to maintain the desired logistical processes), but fitted out with the latest techniques. In addition, maximum use has been made of the space by working one bed higher. Our machines are adjusted to this, as is the working method, so that the pickers can do their work safely.

We coordinated everything thoroughly with COVID pandemic that complicated the situation and made turnkey delivery impossible. Therefore, we did the construction in consultation with the local civil contractor. We produced and delivered; construction and installation was done by local people. Our project team was ultimately responsible for the delivery, but further guided and monitored the project via remote assistance and short weekly consultations.

But that wasn't it...

Due to the loss of production in the local market, Country Mushrooms decisively responded to market demand by building another 14 rooms, just like in the COVID period. To fill these rooms as well, phase 2 production has also been scaled up, of course.

A company and customer we are proud of!

The results

Production capacity has been increased;
The development is flexibly designed for further growth; in several parts, the construction has been 'heavier' than necessary for now, but saving time and money for future expansions;
The composting capacity remains the measure of production capacity: we have matched production schedules and composting capacity down to the last detail;
The logistical system of the current farm has been retained and the new farm seamlessly connects to it;
Continuity of production was not put under any pressure: all customers were supplied during the construction.

"As we aimed to grow efficiently and effectively, our collaboration with Christiaens Group proved instrumental. By separating the composting and production sites, adopting a customised approach, and navigating the complexities, we successfully increased our production capacity and optimised our logistical systems. This transformative journey was made possible thanks to the expertise and partnership with Christiaens Group."

Nichol Muller - Managing Director at Country Mushrooms

COUNTRY MUSHROOMS (South Africa)Efficiently growing production & business

COUNTRY MUSHROOMS (South Africa)
Efficiently growing production & business