Britain's food industry may not be renowned for its eager adoption of automation, particularly the glamorous stuff such as robotics, laser scanners and vision systems. Yet, ironically, one of the least glamorous corners of the industry is now going ape for automated systems.

Slicing tomatoes for displays, or a garnish, has never been easier thanks to the new Nemco Easy Tomato Slicer II. It now features a removable cartridge to ensure minimum downtime if a blade snaps. Food companies can save time, labour and achieve uniform slices with this new and improved model from Gilberts Food Equipment.

The Blixer 4 from Robot Coupe combines the features of a cutter and blender-mixer to ensure a perfectly finished end product for dressings, purées, cheesecakes, herb dressings and many more blends.

William Robertson and Sons on the outskirts of Edinburgh has become the first company in the UK to take delivery of a new Tipper Tie Alpina

The Whizard Series II Trimmers from Bettcher Industries are ideal for defatting beef strips and rounds, where the precise trimming action of the tool's large circular blade improves yields and product appearance.