Portion-to-pack slicing line investment provides outstanding production solution for major dairy supplier
Last year, MULTIVAC UK provided Ornua Foods UK with a full-line portion to pack slicing solution, including the S1600 Slicer, for higher output and increased production efficiency
Ornua Foods UK can trace their roots back to 1922 when they were first established under the Adams brand, and have since grown from a small family dairy to one of the largest cheese and butter companies in the UK. From Red Leicester and Double Gloucester, to reduced fat and blended cheeses, such as Cranberry & Stilton, Ornua supply many of the UK’s leading retailers with great tasting products.
Ornua Foods have multiple sites across the world with their head office based in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. UK operations are based in Leek, Staffordshire, and employ over 650 people, and also boasts one of the largest and best invested state of the art cheese cutting and packing plants in Europe.
New flagship production line
Ornua Foods UK have worked closely with MULTIVAC UK for more than 15 years and, as their business has continued to grow, have returned for many additional portioning and packaging solutions
The requirements were relatively simple, needing to produce one size of shingled sliced cheese for a retail pack, and already achievable on existing machinery in the production hall. However, budget requirements accelerated with a need for more demand and, with the afftractive commercials offered by MULTIVAC UK, Ornua made the decision to invest in a completely new solution.
With this opportunity in mind, Steve Owens, Regional Sales Manager at MULTIVAC UK, worked with Lee Harding, Project Manager at Ornua Foods UK, to select the best option for a new slicing line to meet new throughput demands.
After many discussions and successful product trials with Lewis Pascoe, Slicing Product Manager at MULTIVAC UK, the business decided to invest in a complete full line solution which includes the MULTIVAC S1600 Slicer, R245 Thermoformer, L310 Labeller and MR295 Direct Web Printer. The introduction of the additional portion to pack line has allowed the business to meet higher throughput demands and budget requirements.
Since installation, Ornua has increased its output and uses this line to produce up to 108 packs per minute, which is higher than any other existing line they use for production.
Benefits of a full-line solution
For MULTIVAC UK this is the first major install of the MULTIVAC S1600 in the UK and the line offers a seamless, integrated solution with improved efficiency and increased performance.
The S1600 Slicer offers the same footprint and functionality as the S800 but with a much higher slicing speed, producing up to 1,580 cuts per minute, and boasts quick format and product changes, also providing maximum flexibility; a feature that is very important when producing such a wide variety of cheese products.
Seamless integration
MULTIVAC UK worked closely with Ornua Foods UK to ensure smooth installation of the new line with no interruptions to existing production on site. As with many projects, teething problems occurred during initial use of the solution, although MULTIVAC UK were accessible at all times to resolve any unexpected issues and ensure there was no disruption caused to manufacturing.
By investing in a full-line solution from MULTIVAC, the company have also invested in a wealth of additional benefits including a reduction in error rate due to automation, seamless pack traceability, syncronisation of all line components, and line monitoring and control with MULTIVAC Smart Services.
Best-in-class aftersales support
From first installation to after-sales service, MULTIVAC UK offer comprehensive support throughout, and Ornua has taken full advantage of the benefits included.
From preventative maintenance and retrofits, through to remote assistance, live support, genuine spare parts, and express repairs, the technical team works around the clock to assure maximum success, availability and prouctivity.
13.11.2023
