Trade Publications for the Meat Processing Industry

TECHNOLOGY SPOTLIGHT

As the global demand for processed meat increases, processors continue to demand equipment, supplies, and raw material to enhance their ability to increase productivity, profits, customer satisfaction, and most importantly sanitation measures.

One solution is a high-speed packaging system for ground beef, which is created by combining two pieces of equipment. One piece is Davenport, IA based Packaging Technologies' high-speed KartridgPak chub packaging machine. The other is California-based Henry & Sons' AC-20 Continuous Vacuum Stuffer. The result is a continuous operation line, high-speed ground beef packaging system.

Henry & Sons' new AC-20 Continuous Vacuum Stuffer offers processors turnkey benefits of complete diversity in sanitation, durability, and extremely high-speed capacity.

Another key benefit is that the machine is made in America, eliminating any issues related to replacement parts and maintenance. Moreover, processors don't need to stock a large inventory of spare parts to be prepared for a machine breakdown.

"Our philosophy is simplicity," emphasizes Dave Henry, chief executive officer, whose company has provided 30 years of product conveying expertise. "With that in mind, our machine is extremely simple to use, maintain, troubleshoot, and most importantly inexpensive to maintain even under the most demanding applications."

Henry & Sons' new AC-20 Continuous Vacuum Stuffer offers processors turnkey benefits of complete diversity in sanitation, durability, and extremely high-speed capacity.

Another key benefit is that the machine is made in America, eliminating any issues related to replacement parts and maintenance. Moreover, processors don't need to stock a large inventory of spare parts to be prepared for a machine breakdown.

"Our philosophy is simplicity," emphasizes Dave Henry, chief executive officer, whose company has provided 30 years of product conveying expertise. "With that in mind, our machine is extremely simple to use, maintain, troubleshoot, and most importantly inexpensive to maintain even under the most demanding applications."

TECHNOLOGY SPOTLIGHT

Custom-made to order Henry & Sons Inc.'s specially modified stuffers boost productivity and reduce maintenance at West Coast-based Custom Food Products.

Processing an especially "challenging" product, a very dry 30-inch long beef roll, threw a monkey wrench into the works at Montebello, CA-based Custom Food Products.

"This product wouldn't run. It is very dry and hard for the stuffer to push through. The machine would overheat and shut down," explains Fernando Jugrez, plant supervisor.

The solution came from Henry & Sons Inc., Paso Robles, CA, in the form of a custom-built, remanufactured stuffer.

"They had a special need and we built a special stuffer," says Mark Henry, vice president of Henry & Sons.

Compared to the old 20 horsepower stuffer, the Henry & Sons machine was souped up to 30 horsepower. Special modifications were also made to the gearbox, as were other customized adjustments.

"It solved the problem," says Jugrez. "They made the machine to fit our product. It has more power and the ability to stuff that others don't. This machine runs two shifts all day long and never stops. It's really fantastic."

Henry & Sons and Custom Food Products were not strangers to each other before this project. Over the past five years, the company has purchased four stuffers remanufactared by Henry & Sons and has been very happy about their performance and low maintenance, Jugrez says.

Jugrez also has high praise for the service Henry & Sons provides. "Dave Henry and (son) Mark came down and looked at the situation and handled it perfectly. They have worked very well for us over the years. Their service is excellent, the kind of service that's hard to find;" he says.

Custom Foods aided Henry & Sons in the development of the company's new AC-20 Continuous Vacuum Stuffer, which will debut at the American Meat Institute show this month in Chicago, at Booth # 5421.

"Custom Food helped us in testing our new design, and that led to the AC-20. The modifications we made to the stuffers we remanufactured for them make them very similar to the AC-20s," Henry adds.

With the AC-20, Henry & Sons goes from remanufacturing others' stuffers to designing and manufacturing its own.

The Model AC-20 features all stainless steel construction and boasts a smooth, quiet performance with minimal required maintenance. All components that contact product are removable for cleaning and sanitation. Feed screw speed is 20 to 600 rpm (depending on product and product temperature), hopper capacity is 95 gallons or 600 pounds, and the main drive is 20 horsepower AC variable speed.

The vacuum system is a Busch RA-40 and vacuum specifications are 2 horsepower, 28 cfm with overheat shutdown protection. Product delivery speed is 2,000 to 45,000 pounds per hour (depending on feed screws selected). The stuffer takes up 50 inches by 30-inches of floor space and weighs about 3,000 pounds.

The American-made AC-20 features all Allen-Bradley controls and UL approved wire. All components are also UL-approved. Service voltage is 480-volt. - Henry & Sons Inc., phone (800) 752-7507, fax (805) 472-2626.