29 Jul 2024

Heathfield Provisions doubles capacity with DIVIDER 660+ slicer

A game-changing switch

Heathfield Provisions, a UK meat processor, was looking for a way to enhance their production line and increase their efficiency. They found a helpful partner in Marel, and together, the companies came up with a solution. The most impactful way to achieve this was by replacing their chop cutter with Marel’s advanced TREIF DIVIDER 660+ slicer. This upgrade helped them double their capacity.

Heathfield Provisions, a division of Hall & Roberts Ltd., is based in Widnes, UK. This British pork processor specializes in the art of bacon curing, supplying both wholesalers and retail shops. Annually, they process 1.5 million tons of gammon and bacon products.

Efficiency boost with outstanding yield

Paul Edwards, Senior Account Manager at Marel, states, "Heathfield was looking to optimize their production line and increase efficiency. The switch from a chop cutter to the TREIF slicer has been a game-changer for them. Operating the DIVIDER five days a week during an eight-hour shift, they have successfully doubled their capacity."

The process involves tempering products to -5°C, slicing, followed by hand-weighing and packing into bulk packs prior to thermoforming for the food service market. The impact of the TREIF DIVIDER 660+ has been significant, improving overall efficiency and yield to outstanding levels, due to its smaller gripper ends.

TREIF DIVIDER 660+

Elevated hygiene standards

Ian Frame, Director of Heathfield Provisions, shared, "With the TREIF DIVIDER 660+, we've doubled our capacity and achieved better yields, all while improving hygiene standards. The machine’s open design and the cleaning trolley have made the cleaning process much simpler compared to our previous equipment.”

A flexible solution for the ready-cut market

The combination of the TREIF SAS (Slicing and Stacking simultaneously) with a tilted shaft and the advanced in-house blade technology ensures optimal product presentation, even for challenging products. The DIVIDER 660+ also enables the creation of cheese stacks, such as zigzag or shingled meat slices and accurately places the products on the belt.

Various expansion modules are available, including a belt extension that can connect to the packaging machine, with optional individually adjustable belt tilting. Additionally, an optional SmartFeeder can be integrated. Smartfeeder: your essential link from slicing to packing | Marel

Keep working hand in hand

“We are eager to continue collaborating with Marel, as we've been impressed with their solutions during our visits to the Cutting Days in Ellesmere Port. We're currently testing the TREIF HAWK portion cutter and are excited to keep working hand in hand” concludes Ian Frame.

More about the TREIF DIVIDER 660+ slicer

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