Jenkins Group

What Jenkins Group does

Jenkins Group Limited is a privately held, family-owned New Zealand holding company founded in 1883, headquartered in Auckland, with operating businesses in New Zealand and Australia. The group serves the horticulture industry through two wholly-owned trading entities — Jenkins Freshpac Systems (New Zealand) and J-Tech Systems (Australia, based in Albury) — supplemented by a 50% equity stake in CR Automation (Hawke's Bay-based automation and control systems manufacturer) and a partial acquisition of ABC Software (grower/packer software solutions).

The group's core offering is end-to-end post-harvest technology for fruit packhouses. Products include specialized fruit labelling systems supplied under a strategic partnership with Sinclair International dating to 1983 (high-speed electronic-interface labelling systems, compostable fruit stickers certified by TÜV AUSTRIA/ABA/DIN CERTCO), the Aporo robotic produce packer developed by Tauranga-based Robotics Plus and marketed globally through the Global Pac Technologies joint venture with US-based Van Doren, Sorma pallet strapping systems, Proseal and Sato packaging/labelling equipment, and the RipeSense® ripeness-indicator technology. ABC Software adds smart-technology software solutions for growers and packers, while CR Automation delivers award-winning control systems for packhouse operations.

Jenkins generates revenue through four streams: one-time equipment sales, recurring equipment leasing, ongoing technical service and support contracts, and consumables (labels, tags, strapping materials). Distribution is via direct enterprise field sales to packhouses and post-harvest operators across Australasia, supported by an in-house service team for installation and ongoing technical support. Named enterprise customers include Zespri (the world's largest kiwifruit marketer, partner on compostable labels) and Eastpack, with the company stating presence in most fruit packhouses throughout New Zealand and Australia. The group is led by Managing Director Cameron McInness (appointed September 2024), succeeding Tony Sayle who led the business for 22 years.

Name

Jenkins Group

Legal name

Jenkins Group Limited

Website

https://jenkinsgroup.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1883

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Jenkins Group is a New Zealand-based, privately held family holding company founded in 1883 that delivers packaging, labelling, automation, robotics, and software solutions to horticulture packhouses across New Zealand and Australia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Horticultural Packaging Equipment

NAICS

Packaging and Labeling Services (56191), Other Paperboard Container Manufacturing (322219), Plastics Bag and Pouch Manufacturing (326111)

SIC

Paperboard Containers & Boxes (2650)

akta.pro primary industry

Fresh Produce Packaging (IMALAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Flexible Plastic Packaging (Bags, Pouches, Sachets) Manufacturing (IMANAEAC), Packaging Papers & Converted Paper Distribution (Corrugated sheets/boxes, Paper bags, Labels, Stationery) (IMAMAIAI)

Keywords

• Horticultural packaging equipment
• Fruit labelling systems
• Packhouse automation
• Horticulture robotics
• Produce packing software

Headquarters

HQ city

Auckland

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Revenue model

1. Equipment Sales: Sale of packaging machinery, labelling equipment, automation systems, robotics, and related hardware to packhouses and post-harvest operators.
2. Equipment Leasing: Leasing arrangements for labelling equipment and other machinery to packhouses, enabling deployment without large capital outlay.
3. Technical Service and Support: Ongoing service support for installed equipment, maintenance, and technical assistance to ensure uninterrupted packhouse operations.
4. Labels and Consumables: Supply of specialized fruit labels, tags, strapping materials, and packaging consumables.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Jenkins Group supplies end-to-end packaging, labelling, automation, robotics, and software solutions to fruit and produce packhouses across New Zealand and Australia. Its portfolio spans fruit labelling systems (via Sinclair International), robotic produce packing (Aporo), pallet strapping, and horticultural software, complemented by installation, technical service and ongoing support. The group also offers sustainable packaging options including compostable fruit labels and r-PET punnets.

Product overview

Jenkins Group operates as a diversified horticultural solutions provider with two main trading entities (Jenkins Freshpac Systems in New Zealand and J-Tech Systems in Australia) plus partial acquisitions in CR Automation (automation/robotics) and ABC Software (software solutions). The company offers an integrated portfolio of packaging, labelling, automation and robotics, and software solutions for the horticulture industry. Core products include Sinclair fruit labelling systems (strategic partnership since 1983), Aporo robotic produce packers (marketed via Global Pac Technologies joint venture), Sorma strapping systems, and RipeSense ripeness indicators. The group also provides sustainable packaging options including compostable labels, r-PET punnets, and cellulose-based netting. All offerings are backed by installation, technical service, and support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• J-Tech Systems: Complete solutions for all packhouse requirements including packaging, labels, tags, automation solutions, machinery sales, installation, technical service and support.
• CR Automation
• ABC Software

Products and services

• Jenkins Freshpac Systems Jenkins Group's New Zealand trading entity providing innovative end-to-end packaging solutions for the fresh produce industry, including labelling, packaging and automation solutions for packhouses.
• J-Tech Systems Jenkins Group's Australian trading entity providing complete packhouse solutions including packaging, labels, tags, automation solutions, machinery sales, installation, technical service and support.
• CR Automation Automation, robotic and post-harvest solutions provider. Jenkins Group holds a 50% equity stake. Award-winning automation and control systems manufacturer based in Hawke's Bay, serving post-harvest operators across Australasia.
• ABC Software Software solutions for growers and packers with smart technology that is simple to use, providing technology solutions for the horticulture industry's software needs.
• Aporo Produce Packer New Zealand-invented robotic packing machine developed by Robotics Plus and marketed globally by Global Pac Technologies (Jenkins and Van Doren joint venture). Used for automated produce packing in packhouses.
• Sinclair Fruit Labelling Systems Individual fruit labelling technology and systems. Sinclair International is a global leader in fruit labelling technology and has been Jenkins Group's strategic partner since 1983. Products include compostable fruit labels and high-speed labelling systems.
• Sorma Strapping Systems Pallet strapping machines and automation systems for packhouse operations, supported by Jenkins Group's substantial service team.
• Sustainable Packaging Solutions Compostable, cellulose-based netting, 100% r-PET punnets, linerless labels and printers, and compostable fruit labels for sustainable packaging requirements.

Quantifiable outcome

• Home and industrial compostable certification from TÜV AUSTRIA for Sinclair-Zespri fruit labels
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ZespricoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Partnership with Zespri (world's largest kiwifruit marketer) to launch innovative compostable fruit label certified by TÜV AUSTRIA. The Sinclair-T55 fruit sticker is certified home and industrially compostable.
• ABC SoftwarecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Jenkins Group made partial acquisition of ABC Software solutions, providing software for growers and packers with smart technology and superior service.
• CR AutomationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2019Jenkins Group acquired 50% equity stake in CR Automation (CRA), an award-winning automation and control systems manufacturer based in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. The partnership delivers automation services to post-harvest operators across Australasia.
• Robotics PluscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2018Tauranga-based agtech innovation firm that developed the Aporo robotic produce packer over the last decade. Jenkins Group markets this product globally through Global Pac Technologies joint venture.
• Global Pac TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Joint venture between Jenkins Group and Van Doren (US) for global marketing of the Aporo Robotic Produce Packer, developed by Robotics Plus.
• Sinclair InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1983Strategic partnership established in 1983 with Sinclair International (UK-based), specializing in individual fruit labelling technology. Jenkins Group serves as Sinclair's Australasian agent. This partnership remains a core focus for the Group and has led to joint development of compostable fruit labels with Zespri certification.
• SunkistminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHorticultural industry partner listed on Jenkins Group partners page.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• MAF Roda: MAF Roda is a global supplier of fruit and vegetable sorting, grading, and packing machinery for packhouses. It is the most direct competitor to Jenkins' packhouse equipment business, with overlapping customer base across kiwifruit, citrus, apples, and stone fruit packhouses worldwide.
• GP Graders: GP Graders manufactures electronic fruit grading and packing equipment, with strong presence in Australasia and globally. Directly comparable to Jenkins Freshpac Systems and J-Tech Systems in serving packhouses with sorting and packing lines.
• Unitec (TOMRA Food): Unitec, now part of TOMRA Food, supplies sorting, grading, and packing equipment for fresh fruit and vegetables. A direct peer in packhouse automation and post-harvest technology, competing for the same kiwifruit, apple, and stone fruit customers as Jenkins.
• Compac (TOMRA Food): Compac, also part of TOMRA Food, specialises in packhouse sorting and packing line solutions. Directly competes with Jenkins in integrated packhouse lines and shares the same Zespri/kiwifruit customer ecosystem.
• Sorma Group: Sorma Group is an Italian manufacturer of post-harvest machinery, weighing, grading, and packaging equipment for fresh produce. It is both a partner of Jenkins (Sorma strappers supplied to NZ/AU packhouses) and a direct peer in packhouse equipment.
• Sinclair International: Sinclair International is Jenkins' long-standing partner for fruit labelling technology since 1983 and also a direct peer in the global fruit labelling category (it markets labels and labelling systems globally). Comparable as both supplier and competitor in fresh-produce labelling.

Broad incumbents

• TOMRA: TOMRA is a Norwegian sensor-based sorting giant owning Compac and Unitec, with a broader food and recycling portfolio. It is a broad incumbent that competes with Jenkins across multiple packhouse and packaging categories, with significantly larger R&D and global footprint.
• JBT Corporation: JBT Corporation is a large US-listed supplier of food processing and packaging equipment across protein, dairy, produce, and beverages. A broad incumbent whose post-harvest and fresh produce equipment lines overlap with Jenkins' packhouse automation offering.
• Multivac: Multivac is a global packaging machinery leader offering tray sealers, labelling, and packaging solutions for food and produce. A broad incumbent in fresh produce packaging with overlapping automation and consumables offerings to Jenkins.

Emerging players

• Robotics Plus: Robotics Plus is a New Zealand agtech firm that developed the Aporo robotic packer commercialised via Jenkins' Global Pac Technologies JV. Comparable as an emerging player in horticultural robotics with direct overlap on the Aporo product line.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses2 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/jenkins-group-ltd.

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Jenkins Group