Unlock Warehouse Potential with Combilift's Free Designs
Optimizing Warehouse Space: The Combilift Approach
Combilift doesn't believe in a one-size-fits-all solution. As Chris Littlewood, the Country Manager for Australia, explains, "We focus on the customer's needs rather than the size of the warehouse. Whether it's a small area or a large facility, we design layouts that optimize workflow." They offer free warehouse design plans to assist clients in reassessing and redesigning their operations.For more than a decade, Combilift has been committed to this holistic approach. McVicar notes, "Optimizing warehouse space has always been a top priority. With the recent changes in e-commerce and the need for sustainability, it's more crucial than ever to help customers." Their team of nine warehouse engineers worldwide is ready to provide these valuable designs.
During the initial meeting with a client, Combilift doesn't start with presentations. Instead, they conduct a thorough walk-through of the facility to understand the unique needs. McVicar emphasizes, "We need to be on the ground to get a true sense of what the customer requires. It's a collaborative process that may take several tries to reach the ideal design."
Adapting to Uncertain Times: Working Around Customer Needs
In uncertain times, Combilift aims to optimize within the existing infrastructure. McVicar explains, "Customers can't always start from scratch. Even with seemingly uniform buildings, there are subtleties and constraints. We work around these to provide the best solution."The key concept, according to Littlewood, is optimizing workflow. "We look at how materials move through the entire facility, from manufacturing to storage to distribution. Each area interacts, and we ensure a seamless flow."
Combilift's message to customers is clear: they are dedicated to providing the best warehouse optimization outcome. McVicar states, "We'll put in the time and effort because we believe in our approach. And we do it for free because we know it will bring value in the long run."
In a world where space is limited and efficiency is essential, Combilift isn't just offering forklifts; it's offering a pathway to smarter, more sustainable warehouse operations. And that's a solution worth considering.Revolutionize Food Processing with Precision Size Reduction
Ready-to-Eat Vegetables and Fruit
Pre-cut vegetables and fruits have witnessed a significant surge in popularity due to their convenience. They simplify home cooking and meal prep, making it easier for consumers to maintain a healthy diet. A wide range of pre-cut options is available, and consumers are willing to pay a premium for the convenience they offer. Popular cuts are used in various vegetable products, such as salad mixes, coleslaw, stir-fry blends, soup mixes, oven-ready vegetable combinations, and vegetable noodles. Similarly, the demand for convenience extends to fruits, with options like fruit salad mixes, pre-cut melons, sliced pineapple, bananas, papaya, and apples becoming increasingly sought after. 1: The convenience of pre-cut vegetables and fruits cannot be overstated. They save time and effort for consumers, especially those with busy lifestyles. Home cooks can quickly assemble a delicious meal using these pre-cut ingredients, without the hassle of spending time on chopping and dicing. This has led to a growing demand for pre-cut produce in the market. 2: The variety of pre-cut options available is also impressive. From different types of salad mixes to various fruit combinations, consumers have a wide range of choices to suit their preferences. Whether it's a simple salad or a complex stir-fry, pre-cut vegetables and fruits make it easier to create a variety of dishes.Innovative Cutting Solutions
Both fresh and frozen vegetable processors are capitalizing on this growing market with innovative cuts that integrate easily into meal kits. For example, zucchinis and squash can be sliced into long, noodle-like strips, while beets and carrots can be shaped into playful bowties instead of conventional straight cuts. The best size reduction equipment delivers clean, precise cuts that minimize moisture release and extend the shelf life of products. 1: These innovative cutting solutions not only enhance the visual appeal of the products but also improve their functionality. The unique cuts make the products more versatile and suitable for different types of recipes. Consumers are attracted to these visually appealing and functional products, which drives the demand in the market. 2: Additionally, this equipment helps processors increase their yields by repurposing previously discarded vegetable waste. By converting waste into valuable products such as juice or potato hash browns, processors can reduce waste and increase their profitability.Understanding Produce Characteristics
Choosing the right equipment for vegetable and fruit processing depends on understanding the characteristics of the produce. Some ingredients, like those with higher density or structural fragility, are best processed using belt-fed systems where cutting is synchronised with belt speed. This is ideal for slicing leafy vegetables. Others, which are less delicate, may be more suited to gravity feeding. 1: Key factors to consider include density, structural fragility, temperature, and flowability. These factors play a crucial role in determining the most suitable equipment for efficient and precise processing. By understanding these characteristics, processors can select the equipment that maximizes efficiency and maintains product quality. 2: For example, leafy vegetables require a different type of equipment compared to denser vegetables. Belt-fed systems are more suitable for leafy vegetables as they ensure consistent slicing and minimize waste. On the other hand, denser vegetables may require different cutting techniques and equipment to achieve the desired results.Urschel - a global leader in size reduction
Image: Veeva SystemsUrschel is widely recognized as a pioneer in food cutting technology, with their equipment used globally by food processors. In [insert region], Heat and Control exclusively represents Urschel, drawing on over 70 years of expertise in helping customers choose the right equipment.If you’re interested in size reduction solutions for your fresh produce — we can arrange a free test cut of your product to identify the best Urschel machine for your production line.Let’s review two of their most innovative solutions for fresh produce.Slicers
Belt-Fed, Wheel Slicer: A belt-fed, wheel slicer delivers produce onto two high-speed feed belts that form a ‘V’-shaped trough. These belts are synchronised with a rotating slicing wheel to ensure consistent advancement of the product. Knives under tension, serving as spokes, support the wheel’s rim and are slightly twisted to create a uniform pitch from hub to rim.The TranSlicer by Urschel exemplifies this type of machine, which is well-suited for slicing leafy vegetables such as romaine, iceberg, kale, radicchio, cabbage, spinach, celery, cucumbers, eggplant, honeydew, cantaloupe, and leek. Knife pitch helps pull the product through the wheel, ensuring precise slice thickness without crushing.Slices are released into a sloped discharge chute to reduce speed before exiting the machine.This slicer handles firm and leafy products up to certain diameters, ideal for elongated items that benefit from proper orientation, minimizing waste. For example, slicing carrots into 4.8 mm flat slices can achieve capacities of 4,500 to 5,500 kg per hour, while cucumbers at the same thickness can reach 3,600 to 4,500 kg per hour.Comminution Mincer/Slicer: In this type of slicer, produce is guided to a high-speed, rotating impeller within the cutting head. The impeller’s centrifugal force propels the produce outward past the cutting edges of a stationary reduction head.These machines are used for dry, paste, and liquid size reduction applications, including purees for fruit juices and fruits and vegetables for baby food or soups. The Comitrol by Urschel is a great example of equipment suited for such applications.For more information get in touch via info@heatandcontrol.com or www.heatandcontrol.comRevolutionizing Soft Plastics Recycling in Queensland
Introduction of the Pilot Program
The Queensland Government has taken a bold step by allocating $1 million to launch a pilot program dedicated to soft plastics recycling. This move is set to transform the way communities handle and recycle soft plastics, offering them new opportunities to contribute to a greener planet. Soon, four new trial hubs will be established across the state, providing a centralized location for residents to recycle their soft plastics.These trial hubs will explore different collection methods to determine the most effective solutions for urban, regional, and remote residents. The community's demand for soft plastics recycling is clear, and this pilot program is a response to their needs. By testing various approaches, the government aims to find the best fit for all Queensland communities and ensure the long-term sustainability of the recycling process.
State Minister Leanne Linard emphasizes the importance of this initiative, stating, "The community has made it clear how much they value the ability to recycle soft plastics and want to see it return. We know they also want to ensure it is sustainable in the long term, and that's why it's so important to discover what works best for Queensland's varied communities and regions."
Collaboration with Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia Limited
In collaboration with Soft Plastics Stewardship Australia Limited, the government is aiming to test innovative approaches to recycling soft plastic waste. Since the end of the REDcycle program, many Queenslanders have been holding onto their soft plastics, expressing the need for an alternative. The pilot will kick off in Brisbane before the year's end, with additional hubs in the Sunshine Coast, Goondiwindi, and Cairns launching in the coming months.Over a 12-month period, these trial hubs will evaluate various collection options to find the best fit for all Queensland communities. This includes kerbside yellow-lid bin collections in specific locations, return to store options, council drop-off locations, and drop-off at central points such as container refund points. Each collection method will be evaluated to provide insights for future decisions on the most effective models or combinations of collection strategies.
The pilot programs will also seek to uncover local processing options for soft plastics and explore potential markets for recycled products. This initiative aims to reduce stockpiling and the need for long-distance transport, while fostering local markets and job creation. As Linard points out, "It's also vital that we have cost-effective options for processing the material that is collected and viable end-product markets."
Collaboration with Central Queensland University
As part of the trial, the government will collaborate with Central Queensland University to process some of the collected materials at its testing facilities. This will allow for an assessment of contamination tolerance levels for various end products, helping to clarify consumer messaging regarding the types of soft plastic packaging that can be collected and identify viable markets for recovered soft plastics.These efforts are crucial in moving towards a circular economy, where valuable material is diverted from landfill through reuse, recycling, and remanufacturing. Queensland is growing rapidly, and this initiative is a step towards keeping waste out of landfill and turning it into useful new products.
Industry Response and National Strategy
The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) has applauded the announcement from the Queensland Government. CEO Tanya Barden stated, "We are pleased to see the Queensland government take action on soft plastics recycling. This funding, combined with SPSA's work, is a vital step toward long-term solutions."As the Federal government considers reforms to Australia's packaging regulations, the industry views this as a chance to create consistent packaging standards nationwide. Stakeholders believe a unified approach would simplify processes, reduce confusion, and promote progress towards a circular economy. Barden and the AFGC are encouraging other states and territories to back this national strategy for soft plastics recycling, as recent surveys have revealed that inconsistent packaging regulations pose an obstacle to advancing Australia's circular economy.