Cost/benefit analysis of ROC450

An independant cost/benefit analysis on the ROC450 system has been completed, and will assist in identifying where savings and benefits can be achieved.

A more detailed spreadsheet that can be used to model plant specific costs and benefits is available from MLA or the commercialiser on request.

The benefis of the automation system were broken into two main areas.

These included value achieved through influences on both product and yield gains, and savings achieved in benefits to the processing system such as increased efficiency of existing labour, OH&S savings and actual labour savings.

Labour savings was found to be the most important driver, identifed at 37% of the total benefit. Product benefit acheived through cutting accuracy is calculated to contribute 24% of the total benefit. Benefits acheived through cutting accuracy depend on cutting specifications. In this analysis, no benefit was attributed to accuracy of the cut between the hind leg and the loin as the test plant's cutting specification did not include this cut. However, in the situation where a boneless loin is being produced, significant increases in value can be acheived through greater loin recovery from the pelvic bone.

Occupational health and safety benefits contributed 10% of the total benefit. However, it is also important to consider the value from a social and corporate accountability perspective where adoption of the equipment will likely result in reduced limb loss and long term sprain and injuries.