Dairygold Ingredients invests

Dairygold Ingredients UK is completing an investment programme at its main manufacturing site at Crewe. So far £300,000 has been signed off for 2005.

To date, investment has included the installation of a new slicing machine, a Vegatronic bagging unit and a new nitrogen generation system. On-line powder dispensers will also be added to one of the lines later in 2005 as part of a £50,000 complete refurbishment of the grating line.

The new slicing machine has been brought in to accommodate the substantial increase in demand for sliced cheese -- compared with 2004, the company has seen volumes rise by a staggering 400%.

The company now processes 30t of sliced cheese a week and the increase has been across the board, not for just one single format. The new slicer's control system can store up to 200 slicing programmes and the machine has a slicing speed of 600rpm.

New improved packaging presentation is the reason behind the investment in the new Vegatronic form, fill and seal machine.

Previously Dairygold Ingredients used pre-formed bags, which were retrospectively gas flushed. Now, the new equipment forms bags on line, which not only means a better looking finished product, but greater efficiency in terms of packaging procurement. There is also a 25% increase in throughput efficiency.

Earmarked for the latter part of 2005 is the installation of powder dispensers for the measured application of starch.

Contact: Dairygold Ingredients,

Tel: 0870 766 9563