While many families were working and learning from home in 2020, they were also adding new pets to their households.
This resulted in a significant rise in demand for pet products, which in turn fueled a number of expansions and new pet food companies. In addition, just like regular food processors, pet food processing companies have started branching out and introducing new products.
Of course, to make more and new products, companies need equipment. Thankfully, EnSight Solutions is here to help.
Read on to learn about three major ways EnSight Solutions can help pet food processors create the quality pet food products they and their consumers expect.
Material Handling
Just like in the human food processing industry, product handling comprises a big portion of the process. From moving and/or dumping ingredients into a blender to transporting finished product to packaging, organizations rely on a variety of machines to help get their product from Point A to Point B and beyond.
There are a variety of options to help companies move their product. For some product and needs, conveyors can get the job done right. They come in a variety of options, including belt conveyors, screw conveyors, spreading conveyors and storage loader conveyors. Determining which one comes down to identifying how/where the organization wants to move the product, as well as what kind of product the organization is moving. Some products, such as the kibble mixture before it’s formed and baked, works better in a screw conveyor. Others though, like the finished kibble, may work better on a belt conveyor.
Another method of movement is a dumper. Available with one or two columns depending on the loads being elevated, dumpers can raise a cart, trough or other container and tip it over into a hopper or blender.
In addition, equipment like V-mag carts (also known as dump buggies) are a convenient way to move product and ingredients from one spot to another. Many dumpers are designed specifically for locking on and lifting carts.
Mixing/Blending
From kibble to meat logs to specialty treats, pet food comes in a variety of styles, textures and flavors. Organizations achieve the flavor and texture they want by properly marinating and blending the ingredients.
The proper blenders/mixers can help.
Processors can choose from a range of high-shear mixers and industrial blenders. Which one the organization chooses really depends on their ingredients and the final product. Some are more ideal for high viscosity materials, while others are more ideal for mixing dry or frozen ingredients.
High-shear mixers come in two flavors–batch and inline. Batch are for larger runs while inline have a smaller footprint.
In addition, some processors could benefit from cripple reclamation/ingredient recovery systems, which recover cosmetically damaged product and rework it for reuse.
Automation
Demand is rising. Labor availability is not.
To meet the rising demand for product, new pet food processing organizations have been founded and established companies have expanded.
New or old, organizations are having difficulty securing help to run their new lines.
Instead of fighting for labor, organizations can take advantage of technological advancements and fortify themselves against future labor shortages by automating key processes. By partnering with a quality integrator, they can analyze their lines and implement new machines, processes and even robotics to reduce their labor needs. This can also help them move workers into more value-added positions.
EnSight has decades of experience helping food processors create quality products for their customers. Whether you need to move product from one location to another, perfectly blend ingredients, cut meat for drying or automate lines to improve production, our team can help.
Need a solution not detailed above, like forming, tenderizing or chopping? We can help with that, too!
We’ll start by listening to you and your needs to understand your organization and processes. Then, we’ll look at those processes and custom design the solution that will work for you.
Contact our sales specialists to learn more.
