Tim keeps his promise
“When the time is right
we’re going to have one
of those big AEW Automatic machines.”
Tim Vlcek is truly a man of his word! In 1996 when we published the very first issue of Advantage, we wrote about Vlcek’s – a Broadview, Illinois, based company founded in 1927 by Tim’s grandfather, Charlie.
Tim took over the business from his father in 1990, which by now had earned an enviable reputation as a supplier of high quality beef and pork steaks to hotels, restaurants and institutions (HRI). He set about boosting business by investing in an AEW model 400 high speed bandsaw that he counted on giving him the essential ability to respond quickly to customer’s orders with accurate, superbly cut portions. A team of 15 operators took advantage of the 400’s speed, reliability and ease of cleaning to greatly increase productivity, proving to Tim that success could only be won by investing in the right tools for the job. He told us then, “Our operators love the 400 and that shows in the increased productivity figures.
When the time is right we’re
going to have one of those big AEW Automatic machines.”
Well, guess what? It’s 2004 and Tim is now the proud owner of a
fleet of no fewer than 5 model 400 bandsaws and ‘the big automatic
machine’ he always promised
himself – none other than an AEW Delford Systems SmartSlice Vision
fresh meat portioner coupled to a Delford checkweigher and GS900 4 channel
grader.
The market has, of course, changed and Vlcek’s have changed with it. They no longer supply the HRI market direct because of the high cost and problems associated with distribution, so the number of customers has been reduced from over 200 to a more manageable double figure portfolio of ‘majors’. This much more workable strategy makes it far easier to achieve the ideal formula of keeping production costs low and product quality high.
The company has doubled its workforce to 30 very capable people who, with the help of the SmartSlice Vision and grading system, can process in excess of 12,000 portion cut steaks in just one 8 hour shift for the very demanding high quality end of the market. Such quantities used to take 14 hours. Vlcek’s also produce private label products for a number of prestigious companies who sell into the HRI market throughout the USA.
“ Not too long ago we reached an important milestone where our reputation for quality and service won us 2 major contracts. It gave me the resource and confidence to invest in the automation we needed to take that vital step forward. And I couldn’t wait to call AEW Delford Systems to place the order!” said Tim.
Tim and AEW Delford Systems go back a long way, so when we told him we could guarantee speed of production, excellent slicing quality, increased yields, lower labour costs and the ability to take on larger orders, he believed us.
“I was a little concerned about cutting beef tenderloin because the muscle structure can sometimes cause problems with slicing quality, but the guys at Lake Zurich assured me that SSV could easily handle it – and it does. They also said the cutting patterns would not only increase yield but give us the flexibility to handle any size of order – and they do, because it’s so easy to change over from program to program.” said Tim.
Thanks to easy operation, the GS900 grading system provides the ‘icing on the cake’ as far as Tim is concerned, making a significant contribution to throughput of a much higher level. The days of having to buy in pre-portioned product from – would you believe – companies who had a SmartSlice Vision, are now over.
It was this writer who interviewed the remarkable Tim Vlcek all those years ago. It was not for nothing that I entitled the story: Bandsaw Boosts Business. I was right, it did. Now, just think what he’s going to do with a ‘big automatic machine!’
Thanks again Tim and good luck!
