Dryers prevent moisture from spoiling food packaging

Premier Foods has commissioned Secomak to install three ready meal dryers at its new factory in Methwold, Suffolk. The factory, recently relocated from Portishead in North Somerset, produces the Quorn and Cauldron range of chilled meat-free and organic ready meals.

Three ready meal lines using automatic sleeving equipment are installed at the new factory. The cooking process leaves the ready meal packs with a thin film of moisture, which, if left unchecked, would interfere with the operation of the sleeving machine and also deteriorate the final packaging. The solution to this problem was three of Secomak's ready meal dryers installed immediately prior to each of the sleeving machines. The dryers ensure all the meals are completely dry before sleeving and packaging.

Commenting on the installation, Euwan Miller, Premier Foods' Engineering Manager, says: "Transferring our operations from Portishead to Methwold and installing the new ready meal lines has been a major logistical exercise. Secomak worked closely with us during the entire process, from the initial design of the dryers to final installation and commissioning. This meant the dryers were incorporated into the process with the utmost ease. In addition, the handover to our production team was very straightforward, with Secomak offering on-site training for our staff to assist the transition. I am very pleased with the company's professionalism and commitment to quality."

Manufactured from hygienic high-grade stainless steel, the Secomak dryers can completely dry up to 60 ready meal packs per minute. The blowers and electric components are isolated from the drying area by an integral drip tray. Each dryer is supplied as a complete unit with an integral conveyor, blowers and control cabinet. This means they are very easy to install - all that is required is that the units are positioned in the correct orientation. After that they simply integrate into existing production lines.