KEY TECHNOLOGY, a member of Duravant’s Food Sorting and Handling Solutions group, is a global leader in the design and manufacture of automation systems including digital sorters, conveyors, and other processing equipment. The company has launched several innovations over the past year, the latest being optical sorting systems for frozen chicken nuggets, plant-based meat alternatives, and other processed proteins.
In a conversation with FoodPacific Manufacturing Journal, Marco Azzaretti, Director of Marketing at Key Technology, underscores the benefits of having automated product inspection machines in place.
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| Marco Azzaretti, Director of Marketing Key Technology |
With automated inspection
technology, food processors have a huge opportunity to maximise cost savings by
increasing production efficiencies and reducing labour requirements, while
simultaneously improving product quality and safety. Because of the clear
return on investment, we see continued high demand for optical sorters and
other inspection automation solutions. However, economic uncertainly has been
building in the second half of 2023 and, in some cases, temporarily delayed the
previous pace of capital equipment investments.
| Sweetened, dehydrated fruit being processed on an integrated system of five Impulse vibratory conveyors from Key Technology |
Are there specific food and beverage trends that are driving growth in the product inspection machinery sector?
An
important factor driving demand for automated inspection technology is the
continued rise of labour costs and increased difficulty in hiring, training,
and retaining workers on processing lines. Another critical element is higher
customer expectations about the quality and safety of what they consume – this results
in greater damage to a brand’s image in the event of poor product quality or a
food safety incident. Additionally, inspection technology achieves important
process efficiency and yield benefits. Lastly, extreme weather is impacting the
quality of raw materials, which results in greater demands for sorting systems.
The combination of all these drivers is fueling growth in the product inspection machinery sector.
How is Key addressing these trends or customer needs?
Key Technology is focused on maintaining close connections to our customers’ operations and understanding their specific challenges. By staying aware of new opportunities for automation technology, we help processors improve efficiencies, increase profitability, resolve bottlenecks and address new issues as they arise. We’re focused on providing equipment solutions that are powerful, easy to use and can operate effectively on connected Industry 4.0 processing lines.
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| Fresh peeled and cut apples go through Key Technology’s VERYX optical sorter |
Companies in APAC are
particularly eager to adopt new technology that improves process efficiencies
and cost savings – automated inspection fits very well with this mindset. Also,
given how quality-oriented consumers are in this region, leveraging product
inspection to improve product quality and safety is extremely valuable for APAC
food and beverage companies.
Finally,
are there solutions tailored to the food safety requirements of small and
medium size companies in Southeast Asia?
Key
Technology food sorting and material handling solutions are highly configurable
to address a wide variety of differences in our customers’ product inspection
requirements. Our systems can be scaled to match lines that process different
production volumes, from small and medium capacities up to very large
processing requirements, and offer the flexibility to accommodate lines that
may process multiple products with frequent changeovers.
(Interview facilitated by McBride Public Relations)
Find more industry reports in https://www.industrysourcing.com/i/food_beverage
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