Cultivating efficiency at Skybury with a custom conveyor solution

The Challenge

Tackling outdated infrastructure and a lack of papaya-specific systems

After more than three decades of growing red papaya and coffee, Skybury’s packing operations were struggling to keep up. The existing infrastructure just couldn’t meet the demands of a modern, expanding business. Papaya isn’t a widely common crop or commodity, and companies that know how to handle it properly are few and far between. “Papaya is a very niche product,” said Candy MacLaughlin, General Manager at Skybury. “Yet Dyno was able to custom build something that suits our product, which is not mainstream.”

At the time, they were packing out roughly 200 tonnes a day - but they knew they could (and needed to) do more.

The Solution

Modular, custom-designed conveyors to boost throughput and reliability

Dyno Conveyors came in with a problem-solving mindset and a flexible approach - something Skybury noticed right away. They really took the time to understand the business and its needs, resulting in a fully custom solution that doubled capacity and added layers of efficiency Skybury had long needed.

Key components of Dyno’s solution included:

· Modularity for growth

The system’s modular design means Skybury can bolt on automation later, whenever it makes sense. “What we have today will allow us to create efficiencies, bolt-on automation when it comes around and give us the growth that we need for the future,” Candy explained.

· Engineered for papaya

The system wasn’t just off-the-shelf - it was designed specifically for handling papaya, with all its quirks. That alone sets Dyno apart.

· A better layout, building on what worked

The new system draws inspiration from one Dyno designed over a decade ago, with improvements that have smoothed out fruit flow and boosted processing times. “The first step when Dyno came on really gave us the ability to have good flow through and movement of fruit,” Candy noted.

· Built-in redundancy with twin packing lines

Dyno helped them replicate their successful layout- but doubled it. So now, if one line goes down, the other keeps the operation humming. “What we’ve done is we’ve replicated a double.

If one goes down, we can rely on the other,” said Mark MacLaughlin, who works alongside his father at the farm.

· Easy to put together (and even fun)

Mark likened the setup to “a giant piece of Meccano,” which made assembly a breeze (and oddly nostalgic). “You could flip the whole [3D] model around... that was a lot of fun to use.”

· Great value for money

The system didn’t just tick all the boxes - it came in at a better price than competitors, without compromising on quality. “Where Dyno won over some of the other competitors - a big one - was the cost,” said Mark. “The quality of Dyno gear is a testament in itself.”

The Result

A smarter, faster shed and a partnership built on trust

Skybury’s new system didn’t just meet expectations - it exceeded them. The facility can now comfortably handle 200 to 300 tonnes of papaya each day, with smoother flow, less manual handling, and more confidence heading into the future. “Dyno adds value through understanding our business, understanding our requirements,” said Candy. “They created something with easy flow, easy maintenance, and room to grow.”

Here’s what’s changed:

· The farm can now pack 200–300 tonnes daily, doubling what they managed before.

· Manual handling has dropped, and the whole operation runs more smoothly.

· The system is future-ready, thanks to its modular design.

· Two identical lines give built-in contingency, so one can pick up the slack if the other’s down.

· Perhaps most importantly, the partnership worked. Dyno understood Skybury’s business, stuck to timelines and delivered a system the team is genuinely proud of. “Should we outgrow this shed,” Candy added, “I’ll be very happy to call them again and create another magnificent project with Dyno.”