CREATING A CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR SMOKED FISH
Marr Foods invest in Delford & Sortaweigh
systems as part of £2 million investment programme
Marr Foods is the UK’s largest independent seafoods processor, with
a reputation for supplying quality fish and seafood to major multiple
retailers.
The company takes an active role in promoting and protecting the fish
industry at home and abroad. It is a member of the Marine Stewardship
Council, which promotes environmentally-friendly fishing and the use of
sustainable species, and a sponsor of the Training School for Fishmongers
in Hull, which trains supermarket staff to provide quality service.
Marr Foods have two major processing facilities in Hull, including a purpose-built
smoked fish plant, which has recently undergone a £2 million investment
programme. The result is a centre of excellence for smoked fish, with
products smoked, handled and packaged to assure maximum quality.
The new facility, which employs 120 staff, is the largest smoked fish
plant in the country. Employing traditional wood smoking, it supplies
some 55 tonnes of fish each week, including kippers, mackerel, cod and
haddock – chilled or frozen - in retail packs or in bulk for supermarket
fish counters.
The product development team actively develops new product and recipe
ideas, with regular tasting panels held to guarantee consistent quality.
Investment in Quality Facilities
In line with its commitment to quality – from the trawler to the
table – Marr has invested in the very best buildings and equipment.
This includes the installation of the latest Delford & Sortaweigh
systems as part of an automated grading, checkweighing and labelling line
for vacuum packs.
At the heart of the new line is a Sortaweigh Optimiser 20 channel
grading system.
Product from the smoking room is hand-fed onto a specially designed flighted
conveyor that separates and positions it for accurate weighing at speeds
of up to 140 pieces per minute. The sophisticated Sortaweigh software
then carefully grades the individual pieces for packing in fixed weight
packs, minimising giveaway.
After vacuum packing, all packs are verified using a Delford Guardian
1000 Checkweigher and labelled on a Delford Concept 500
Label Applicator.
Capable of operating at up to 120 packs per minute, the Guardian
1000 Checkweigher is designed for the food industry. Robustly
constructed from stainless steel to IP65 with food quality belts throughout,
it is easy to clean – by wiping down or low pressure hose.
The Concept 500 self-adhesive label applicator is also
constructed from stainless steel. Capable of speeds in excess of 250 labels
per minute, it is designed for integration into packaging lines where
speed, accuracy and reliability are of paramount importance.
Use of the Delford Checkweigher and Label Applicator ensures that all
products leaving the factory are of the correct weight and appearance.
Paul Fieldgate, Factory General Manager, is pleased with the performance
of the new automated line
“In order to satisfy demand, we needed
to significantly increase our capacity, and the Sortaweigh grading line
has helped to double our throughput and make more efficient use of staff.
Although it took a little time to fine-tune the system, Delford’s
engineers have been on hand to provide any necessary engineering and software
support. The system works well and I am delighted with the result.”
