Servo-driven tray bake portioning
Automation specialist Quasar Automation will be launching the Soni-Cut tray bake cutting and portioning system at the Total Processing and Packaging Exhibition.
Archives for April 29, 2013
Faster, more efficient changeovers
Improving the speed and efficiency of product changeovers on multi-product lines is what Sick UK's new RapCo system, launched at Total 2013, is all about. It is claimed to offer a reliable, automated solution to protect product quality while boosting...
New lines get ready for more sales
Increasing demand for ready meals inspired one of Ireland's largest poultry processors to invest in new production lines, which were installed by Marel Townsend Further Processing.
New sanitary sieve has good vibrations for safety standards
Separation and filtration specialist Russell Finex has modified its Russell Compact Sieve vibratory screener to meet the requirements of the food and drink industry's 3-A sanitary standards.
Two companies show their metal
Two of industry's detection specialists: Loma Systems which focuses on the food sector and Lock Inspection, on pharmaceuticals, will debut their new collaboration at the Total show.
Cut costs and boost appeal of dried sausages
Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) has developed its Arcon functional soya concentrates to optimise cost savings and boost the appeal of dried fermented sausages
Bread mix sows the seeds of health
German baking ingredients manufacturer Ireks has launched a new bread mix for the UK bakery trade that contains the increasingly popular chia seeds.
Rental service could be small firms' route to automation
For firms seeking to reduce labour costs and improve efficiency, packaging automation is a logical step. But with many smaller companies strapped for cash and starved of loans, could equipment rental prove to be the rational route to avoid capital...
Spicing up the sauce market wins awards
Heinz's moves to adapt its classic sauces for the cooking ingredients market earned it special attention at last month's IFE food and drink event.
Nobody does IT better - except the Dutch
An article on government spending in The Times on April 24 cited eye-watering examples of overspending involving billions of taxpayers' money over the years on purchasing goods and services.
R&R Ice Cream sold to private equity firm
Yorkshire-based R&R Ice Cream has been sold to private equity firm PAI Partners for an undisclosed sum.
UK wakes up and smells the automation
UK food and drink manufacturers are finally waking up to the merits of automation, judging by the number of exhibits featuring robots at the forthcoming Total Processing & Packaging Exhibition. The event takes place at Birmingham's National Exhibition...
53% rise in cheese sales calls for capital investment
A 53% rise in sales of its sliced cheese prompted Wrexham-based Ash Manor Cheese Company to invest £450,000 in increasing its production capacity.
Extract turns a new health leaf
Frutarom says its new olive leaf extract, Benolea, is "clinically proven" to provide the reported cardiovascular health-support benefits of the Mediterranean diet.
Poultry control system promises razor-sharp results
Stable Micro Systems has launched the Meullenet-Owens Razor Shear (MORS) blade - a tool for measuring poultry tenderness.
Illegal entry
Fraudulent claims of foreign bodies in food and drink are a hidden issue, says Rick Pendrous
Universal Robot makes light of automation
R A Rodriguez will be showing the Universal Robot, a lightweight robotic arm that provides easy automation, at The Total Processing and Packaging Exhibition. It will demonstrate how complementary technology can now add intelligence and even greater scope...
'Insect infestations are a major problem for food companies'
Infestations from insects and vermin are a bigger problem for food manufacturers than many think, according to pest control specialist Rentokil.
'World's first' functional chicken protein launched
Global protein manufacturer BHJ Ingredients says it is introducing 'the world's first functional chicken protein' at this month's international trade fair IFFA in Germany.
Affordable ribbon blender mixer cuts payback periods
Winkworth says its new "lean, yet versatile UTL ribbon blender mixer" (patent pending) is now far more affordable, and will "significantly reduce payback periods".
Energy drinks and health risks
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published results into consumption of energy drinks ̶ the findings of which will be a key component of the organisation's forthcoming ruling on the health risks associated with caffeine.
Visionary thinking
The list of positive reasons for choosing vision-based product inspection is lengthening. Paul Gander looks at recent and future developments
The tighter way to control recipe temperature
ICS Temperature Control has launched a thermoregulator and temperature controller range with an ingress protection (IP) rating of IP65. Featuring the latest touchscreen technology, the C7 Advanced Controller offers recipe control, temperature, flow and...
Technology to slice the softest, stickiest product
Ultrasonic technology uses the high frequency oscillation of the Sonotrode (cutting blade) to pass through product quickly and cleanly. This process can portion soft, sticky and delicate products that are prone to damage by traditional cutting systems....
UK Cheddar mark ‘dupes consumers’
UK Cheddar manufacturers are being hampered by rules that “give the impression” foreign cheese is actually produced in Britain, claims the boss of Dairy Crest.
No chips on lozenges' shoulders
The introduction of Ishida kit at a world-famous throat lozenge manufacturer has reduced product breakage during packing, as well as increasing throughput by 20% and minimising giveaway.
UK base cuts cost of carton recycling
Combined with the latest 12.5% hike in landfill tax, the availability of UK beverage carton recycling capacity for the first time in seven years from July will doubtless spur more local authorities to launch kerbside collections.
The right churn
Relentless pursuit of efficiency measures has enabled Mark Allen to transform Dairy Crest into a brand-focused plc, reports Gary Scattergood
It's time for teacakes to be picked and placed
Schubert, the automated packaging system specialist, will be presenting an F44 picker line at this year's Total show.
Unilever to cut emissions with dual-fuel trial
Manufacturing giant Unilever is to begin trialling dual-fuel technology for its fleet of vehicles in a bid to slash carbon emissions and cut costs, while also pressing for more collaboration between food firms to reduce the number of vehicles on the road.
Firms join forces for UK black garlic
Last month Leathams partnered with the Black Garlic firm to become the UK's exclusive distribution partner for black garlic. This is gently aged white garlic that takes on a new colour, taste and texture.
UK coffee sales boost Nestlé's results
UK coffee sales have proved one of the few highlights for food giant Nestlé in its first quarter (Q1) results for 2013, which failed to meet analysts' expectations.
Think small when it comes to print
Videojet will present its new 50 series (1550/1650) small character inkjet printers as part of its 1000 series range, at The Total Processing and Packaging Exhibition. The 1650 and 1550 are designed to minimise planned and unplanned downtime and maximise...
Maternal vitamin D levels 'not associated with child's bone health', says research
A study of nearly 4,000 pairs of mothers and their children has shown that maternal vitamin D levels during pregnancy are not associated with the child's bone health in later life.
Layer bake
Authentic taste, clean-labels and cost cutting must all be constituents of modern baking, reports Alyson Magee
Quality treats
Building a business on quality has won awards for Border Biscuits, reports Gary Scattergood
Crumbles plan to lift the lid on pastry products
Pidy's new Savoury Crumbles offer a range of toppings, coatings and sprinkles for customers seeking an alternative to the pastry lid
Boxes sealed with a dust-tight tip
Flexicon's new Tip-Tite Sanitary Box Tipper forms a dust-tight seal between the container and the equipment, tips the container, and discharges bulk material at controlled rates.