In an Australian first, local South Australian company – SAGE Automation will be manufacturing the US-developed ‘Sanitizit system’ for use across Australia and New Zealand.
SAGE, which has already started rolling out the new system to Drakes supermarkets here in SA – plans on manufacturing and distributing more machines across the State and the country.
Premier, Steven Marshall said that SAGE was an agile, innovative company who has taken the opportunity to transform their manufacturing base to take advantage of the current climate.
“SAGE Automations will manufacture and distribute the innovative sanitising machines at Tonsley Park Innovation District – another outstanding example of a South Australian business quickly adapting to the economic reality of a COVID-19 world,” Premier Marshall said.
“SAGE is a great example of how agile local companies are transforming South Australia’s manufacturing sector to adapt to emerging market opportunities.”
The Sanitizit product has been developed in the US to sanitise shopping trolleys in retail, medical and airport environments. It works by providing a measured dose of santising solution, as a mist blanket, the covers the entire trolley as it is passed through the unit.
SAGE Automation has partnered with the developer of the Sanitizit product to manufacture, supply and support the units in the Australian and New Zealand markets.
Adrian Fahey, MD & CEO SAGE Group has said, “SAGE will be the exclusive manufacturer of the Sanitizit product in Australia from our advanced manufacturing centre at Tonsley in South Australia and will provide ongoing support nationally via our 14 state and regional office locations.”
“We will be looking to build on the product, introducing new locally developed smarts into the system.”
Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni said the success of SAGE Automation highlighted the value of the Tonsley Innovation District as a centre for manufacturing innovation.
“It is particularly impressive that SAGE is working on improving the sanitising machines whilst establishing manufacturing capabilities and delivering local jobs.”
First to trial the Sanitizit units is South Australian supermarket chain Drakes.
“We have been working with SAGE Automation on the first Australian supermarket trial,” said Drakes director, John-Paul Drake.
“Feedback from the team as well as our customers has been positive, and we will look at possibly rolling out into more of our stores.”
“We are proud to be supporting a local South Australian company with this innovative product” said Mr Drake.
Fahey echoed this sentiment, “We are delighted to be bringing this product to the Australian market and to have conducted a successful local market trial with iconic Australian Supermarket chain, Drakes.”
The Sanitizit product brings benefits including:
- Operational efficiency for the retailer, replacing the manual process of wiping the trollies down by hand with a touchless system
- The dosage of sanitising solution can be adjusted for one trolley or a bank of trolleys being sanitised at a time
- Reduced waste by eliminating wipes being put into landfill
- It sanitises the whole trolley, not just the handle
- A hand-held wand enables the sanitising of shopping baskets from the main unit
- The unit uses water based sanitising solution supplied by the unit operator
- The units are low voltage and use very little power
SAGE has identified markets in the retail, medical (wheelchairs) and airport (luggage trolleys) spaces where the Sanitizit unit will provide the public and operators with enhanced cleanliness and peace of mind. Manufacturing will commence soon, creating Australian jobs and providing local support.
About SAGE
SAGE Automation is Australia’s leading independent industrial automation and control systems integrator with a global footprint. SAGE offers end-to-end project delivery, specialist advanced manufacturing services and asset operations and maintenance services to support clients across the defence, energy, manufacturing, resources, utilities, transport, and water sectors. SAGE has a well-advanced capability in partnering with original equipment manufacturers and product developers, built over 25 years of operation.
