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Pork processor switches lubricants

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Aug 18, 2005

The Foodlube range from Rocol is a comprehensive group of lubricants which has been specially developed for the food and drink industries.

Simplifying lubrication management and ensuring only food-grade lubricants are used throughout its processing plants has led one of the UK's largest pork processors to switch completely to the Foodlube range from Rocol Lubricants.

Hull-based Cranswick Country Foods operates several food production facilities including a state-of-the-art abattoir and cutting plant and a factory in the city which specialises in sausage production.

Renowned for quality and innovation throughout all aspects of its meat business, the company is a major supplier of own label products in partnership with retail, foodservice and manufacturing customers.

After years of using a number of individual Rocol Foodlube lubricants alongside those from other suppliers, Cranswick's Chief Engineer Keith Richardson took the decision to totally eliminate any risk of food contamination at its pork and sausage processing plants by streamlining lubricant supply and switching completely to Rocol and its Rocolcare lubrication management programme.

"We wanted to ensure that only food-grade lubricants are used across our production facilities", says Richardson.

"Our abattoir and cutting plant has been recently refurbished to significantly increase capacity, with butchery work taking place here both for our own group as well as a large number of manufacturers in the UK and export markets".

"Our excellent reputation depends on safe, efficient processing and we cannot afford to take risks with contamination".

"Previously we were using lots of different lubricants and it made a lot of sense to standardise across the plants".

"Being familiar with the quality of the Foodlube products from Rocol and their comprehensive service and support, it was an obvious choice".

As part of the support provided by Rocol under Rocolcare, an in-depth site survey was conducted which recommended correct lubricants for the numerous applications across Cranswick's factories, the exact levels of lubrication required and the frequencies.

To properly implement the lubrication programme, Rocol has also provided comprehensive training and signage to ensure operators avoid errors and costly machinery downtime.

"The signage for our plants is particularly useful".

"The use of photos to show exactly how the lubricant should be applied is second only to having someone demonstrate the procedure in person", adds Richardson.

In addition to removing the contamination risk and improving the efficiency of application, Cranswick is also benefiting from the lubricant supply chain management by Rocol.

"Like many food producers, time is the one thing that we are extremely hard pressed for", explains Richardson.

"Having Rocol to take care of any auditing and managing stocks of lubricants - and we use large quantities of them - is really helpful, meaning we can almost forget about supply and concentrate on other issues".

According to Rocol Richardsoner Jamie Williams, long term use of Foodlube lubricants managed via Rocolcare will deliver some key production efficiencies: "Cranswick expects the long term benefits of Rocolcare to include fewer machinery breakdowns, less production downtime and longer service life for equipment".

"Many food and drink manufacturers across the UK are already experiencing these key long term Foodlube usage benefits".

To further improve lubrication at its pork processing facility, Cranswick has also appointed a dedicated preventive maintenance engineer whose primary role is to lubricate machinery throughout the plant over a night shift.

Having this specialist in place reduces reliance on machinery operators to complete lubrication tasks and the margin of error.

The Foodlube range from Rocol is a comprehensive group of lubricants which has been specially developed for the food and drink industries.

All the products in the Foodlube range are formulated using only FDA approved ingredients and meet the requirements of the widely renowned NSF H1 registration scheme.

In addition, all lubricants are free from mineral hydrocarbons, nut oils, soya oils and genetically modified ingredients.