Fortress to reveal sustainable metal detector range at PPMA 2015

With equipment longevity now a key concern for food factories looking to improve their green credentials, some producers and packers are seeking guaranteed ROI, TCO and OEE* on production line machinery. To assist them in achieving their commercial and sustainability goals, Fortress engineered the Never Obsolete range of metal detectors to be fully upgradable, no matter how regularly or extensively industry standards, regulations or retailer Codes of Practice (COP) change.

Sarah Ketchin, Managing Director Fortress Technology UK, explains: "Sustainability is at the heart of Fortress's customer value proposition. We want to put a stop to "good kit' becoming redundant and thrown away when revisions to industry standards affect production line equipment. We are the only known UK equipment manufacturer to guarantee that its inspection equipment will never become obsolete before the end of its natural lifespan. This helps food factories to realise the equipment's full potential, resulting in considerable economic and environmental benefits,"

Inspection systems can be affected by changes to industry standards every couple of years, sometimes more frequently. When the latest fail safe automated processes, including the need for more advanced reject confirmation systems and interlocked reject bins were stipulated by M&S in 2012, other retailers swiftly followed. Fortress worked collaboratively with a number of key food manufacturers to ensure existing equipment did not become redundant, introducing software and safety feature upgrades at 30 per cent of the cost of a new system.

This peace of mind was central for Nutrition Group, which recently ordered six Fortress Stealth metal detectors. According to their facilities manager Tim Edwards, reliability, sensitivity and ease-of-use were equally important. However, it was Fortress's "Never Obsolete' guarantee that clinched the deal. Tim says: "The problem with a lot of equipment is that it can quickly become outdated, but Fortress says that it will guarantee to support its metal detectors, even if I call them up needing a part in 10 years time. That's a big commitment."

Four "Never Obsolete' detectors will be on show at PPMA 2015 stand B01. PLUS a new system launch will be unveiled on the opening day, 29 September, NEC (Birmingham). Go to www.fortresstechnology.co.uk for further information.