UPM saves UK confectionery giant 40% on production costs

UPM Conveyors achieved a 40% saving in production for the largest UK manufacturer of confectionery by offering a solution for not only transferring toffees from their wrapping line to their multi-head weigher, but also reducing the temperature from 80c to 20c before being bagged, so offering a payback time of only four months for the system.

UPM were required to offer a total system including a stand alone air cooled chiller to supply cold water at 8c to four water cooled condensers, each fitted with four axial fans to provide a blanket of chilled air onto the 1000mm wide belt conveyor to cater for a throughput rate of 360 kg/hr, equivalent to 72,000 toffees, each weighing 5g.

Access to the conveyor was provided with four hinged stainless steel side access panels, and the belt has a quick access facility for fast clean down. The system has been in operation 24/7 from day one and has been 100% trouble free, exceeding the customer’s expectations. UPM were able to comply with the high care specification required for the confectionery production line with the belt conveyor constructed from High Molecular Weigh Polyethylene (HMWPE), incorporating the unique design of automatic belt tracking and tensioning, for which UPM were awarded the Queen’s Award for Innovation. All support frames are fabricated from Stainless Steel grade 316 and the system complies to IP67.

UPM Conveyors have developed a new version of their Rotary Table (Lazy Susan) to operate as an integrated part of a product handling system or as a stand alone unit to act as a buffer when required for accumulating and unloading product, but to also ensure total evacuation and incorporating variable speed control as standard. The unit is available for £1600, which UPM claim is the most competitive price on the market.

An optional extra is the overhead mounted multi adjustable product flow orientation guide to ensure “first in first out of product.” UPM also guarantee the elimination of any operator trap points, as the underside of the table is totally enclosed and conforms to all Health and Safety at Work Acts.

UPM Launched the Lazy Susan at the FOODEX show, resulting in orders from contract packers for 30 units to improve efficiency and better staff utilisation. UPM were so impressed with the results achieved during the exhibition and the introductions to new potential customers that they have booked the same stand for the next show in 2013.

UPM can also supply in feed and out feed belt conveyors from a standard range of plastic link belts including 90 and 180-degree bends, allowing versatility in a production area where space is limited. UPM can custom engineer a system at no extra cost. All manufacture is carried out in-house including fabrication programming and control build, allowing complete control of quality and inspection and maintaining delivery promises.

UPM were awarded the Queen’s Award for Innovation in their production of High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (HMWPE) belt conveyors. This has now been extended to the range of Rotary tables, available in a variety of diameters.

Source: UPM Conveyors