By investing in the newest batching technology Skandia has improved utilisation of raw material, namely fresh slaughtered trout, at a much higher speed. The results are more satisfied customers and increased efficiency.
Skandia Trout Export specialises in frozen, chilled and live trout. To comply with the increasing demand for exact weight portions, the company has invested in three new ScanBatcher 4700s from Scanvaegt.
Customers are increasingly requesting smaller and more exact weighed portions. “Our old grader wasn't nearly precise enough for this purpose, as it operated with inaccuracies of as much as 3 – 4 grams. We therefore had to process a lot more fish than was actually ordered, simply to be able to complete the individual batches”, explains Henrik Thomsen, Production Manager at Skandia. “Our ability to now produce small batches at exact weights has led to more satisfied customers – with no extra effort on our part.”
To reduce overweight Scanvaegt has worked to improve the ability of its batchers to operate with extreme accuracies, thus dramatically reducing giveaway. With the ScanBatcher 4700, giveaway is reduced to almost zero.
This is due to the patented CamelBack technology, which paired with a powerful computer makes the batcher capable of deciding and re-deciding within a fraction of a second which bin to send the individual product items into to ensure accurate pack weight in all bins.
ScanBatcher 4700 is built solely of stainless steel and other non-corroding, food industry approved materials. The hermetically sealed load cell is enveloped by an open force converter, which protects from overload, shock load and other potentially damaging forces. If a power failure occurs, the ScanBatcher has a UPS system that protects all data and ensures that production can continue with no need for resetting once power is restored.
On top of that, the machines are very open to ensure easy, efficient hose-down cleaning and inspection throughout. There are no crevices or corners where residue can stick, and oblique surfaces let water and grime run off.
Crucial to Skandia's choice has been Scanvaegt's worldwide – yet local – service organisation. Thomsen explains, “The ScanBatcher 4700 has proved to be very reliable in service, which is crucial to us. Downtime is devastating to any production line – ours included.
So when we occasionally do need service, it's a joy to experience the short reaction times that Scanvaegt's service department provides.”
