UK cargo handler eyes to lease equipment to RP govt., companies

British cargo handling firm Nectar Group, Ltd. is aiming to lease cargo bagging equipment with the government and private firms, company officials said. Nectar’s equipment, used for bulk cargo and destination bagging, will help companies save on handling costs, said Michael Connolly, representative for the Far East of Nectar. Savings would at least be 30 percent, he said. The machines can package as much as 140 metric tons of commodities like rice, corn, sugar, and soybeans per hour. Efficient packaging will lead to "reducing damage to bags and also contamination to products," Mr. Connolly said. Jose D. Cordero, assistant administrator of the National Food Authority, said during a briefing organized by the British company the state grains agency is considering moving grains in bulk. "We can use these machines so we can save on costs of labor and bags," he added. "Our people have evaluated the machines and these are efficient. The problem now is how to adapt the machines into our system." The grains agency buys rice from Thailand, Vietnam, India and Pakistan, among other countries, in bags. Early this year, Nectar signed a memorandum of understanding with the Agriculture department’s Philippine Agricultural Development and Commercial Corp. (PADCC). PADCC President Marriz B. Agbon said the agreement is "more of endorsing [Nectar’s equipment] to government and private individuals who can benefit from the technology." Established in 1972, the Nectar Group partnered with San Miguel Corp.’s beer division in the handling of malt and barley in the 1980s, Mr. Connolly said. - N. J. C. Morales, BusinessWorld