Customers Archives - Machinery World

‘Turning off our blast freezer until summer’: how UK firms are cutting energy costs

‘Turning off our blast freezer until summer’: how UK firms are cutting energy costs

From an ice cream factory weighing up closing for three weeks over Christmas to a bistro now only open for bookings

David Equi can’t seem to catch a break. He opened a gleaming new factory in Glasgow for his eponymous luxury ice cream business on the eve of the coronavirus pandemic and has now missed out on the cutoff for government energy support by a single day.

Faced with a sharp rise in energy costs, he plans to shut down his blast freezer – a container that rapidly cools 40 pallets of ice cream – this winter. “We’re turning that off and using our existing freezers just to save money, and will switch it back on in the summer. We’re just looking at the tiniest wee things where we can save.”

Equi is also considering closing the factory entirely for up to three weeks over Christmas to save on bills, rather than operating on a skeleton staff as usual at the business, which supplies customers from Aldi to the Gleneagles hotel.

Many businesses will have invested in long-term sustainability measures to become more energy efficient but now, faced with rising prices, firms of all sizes across the country are examining every available measure to cut their bills.

David Equi of Equi’s Ice Cream
David Equi runs an ice-cream business but missed out on the cutoff for government energy support by a day. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/The Guardian

David Equi says: ‘We’re just looking at the tiniest wee things where we can save.’ Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/The Guardian

The electrical retailer Currys plans to turn down the brightness of its TVs; Vivendi, the owner of the Havas advertising agency, is turning down the temperature in its offices by 1C; and 300,000 LED lights will illuminate Oxford Street this Christmas – cheaper and more efficient than standard lightbulbs.

The incentive is clear: the restaurant and pub group Mitchells & Butlers said at the end of last month that its energy bill had almost doubled to £150m on pre-pandemic costs. Alston Wholefoods, a village shop in Cumbria, has switched off its freezer and is instead using laminated pictures of products for customers to order, saving an estimated £3,000 on its annual bill.

Some small businesses fear they will be asked by the government to shut down this winter to conserve energy supplies. Others say the sudden increase in costs has left them fighting for survival.

Article from The Guardian, read the full story here.

News


Official UK Distributors for HAUS Centrifuge Technologies

Official UK Distributors for HAUS Centrifuge Technologies

We are extremely pleased to announce that we are now the Official UK Distributors for HAUS Centrifuge Technologies.

HAUS manufactures decanter centrifuges and separators for a number of industries including dairy processing.As a leader in the development and manufacturing of modern, high capacity continuous industrial type decanters, HAUS started its activities in 1954 in Aydın with repair and renewing of various types of water pumps and presses. The company manufactured the first olive oil press in the region in 1962.

HAUS Maxclean 40T

Today, the company has the ability to manufacture 350 decanters and 150 separators per year with 375 employees.HAUS has a mission to manufacture machines and install facilities to fulfill customer satisfaction at the utmost level with high quality production based on modern technology.

Focusing on R&D in order to improve the efficiency of the machinery, the company designs and manufactures various types of decanter centrifuges with innovative product development.

See all of our HAUS machinery here

News


Scottish ice cream brand Porrelli scoops fresh Asda listing

Scottish ice cream brand Porrelli scoops fresh Asda listing

ROKK customer Porelli is celebrating after scooping an exclusive deal with Asda to stock two new ice cream flavours.

Produced on the ROKK RFE 1200 Twin Barrel Continuous Freezer, Porrelli’s new Bubblegum Swirl and Hazelnut Chocolate flavours will be available in 51 stores in Scotland.

This new deal is the Paisley based ice-cream factory’s first supermarket listing for the flavours, following a recent investment of £35,000 in state-of-the-art technology allowing new innovative flavours to be invented.

The new flavours are available in a 500ml size, retailing at £2.50 a tub and are in addition to the Vanilla and Scottish Tablet dairy ice cream tubs which are already available in Asda stores.

The family-run company have been working with Asda for more than 20 years and previously participated in Asda’s Supplier Development Academy, helping to boost the business from direct delivery to local Asda stores in Glasgow to a national Scottish distribution through depot.

Enzo Durante, managing director at Porrelli said:

We are thrilled to secure our first national supermarket listing for the Bubblegum Swirl and Hazelnut Chocolate flavours.

Over the past few years we’ve seen real innovation of ice cream flavours mimicking confectionary, thanks to a revival of the modern-day ice cream parlour.

Thanks to this consumer demand, we are always developing new flavour combinations and sauces, so it’s good to see this popularity now finding its way into retail pots in the supermarkets.

 Regional buying manager at Asda, Heather Turnbull, said:

Porrelli Ice Cream has been available at Asda for 20 years now and has been a huge success in stores across the country, so we know our customers are going to enjoy the two new flavours that have launched.

Over the years we have stocked a number of Porrelli Ice Cream products allowing customers to enjoy luxury ice cream packed full of home-grown Scottish taste, talent upporting local Scottish suppliers is an integral part of what we strive to do at Asda and we’re delighted to continue to support Porrelli Ice Cream range across our stores.

Porrelli has been making ice cream for more than 90 years for the catering and retail industry and stocks more than 100 flavours.

The company is well-known for its unusual flavours including Tablet, Iron Brew, Turkish Delight and Italian Mascarpone & Amarena Cherry.

Story courtesy of Scottish National

News


See us at the Ice Cream and Gelato Expo 2019!

See us at the Ice Cream and Gelato Expo 2019!

See us 12th-14th February at the Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate

The Ice Cream and Gelato Expo is a unique expo showcasing a huge assortment of ice cream varieties together with its equipment and supplies. This show provides a unique forum for suppliers, retailers, caterers and manufacturers of ice cream products. 

The show aims to encourage and support the production, vending and consumption of premium quality ice creams and other frozen treats. The Ice Cream and Gelato Expo also showcases the various types of machinery and equipment’s utilized by the ice cream industry.

The event enjoys massive popularity among all the sections of the society and within all age groups. The event provides the ideal opportunity to business to build brand images, create and optimize business opportunities and launch new products.

If you’re looking for new products, suppliers, inspiration or a new business venture, don’t miss out on the only dedicated exhibition for the Ice Cream Industry.

To pre-register please click here.

Click here to watch the highlights of the Ice Cream Expo 2017 or click here to watch Steve Christensen: The Ice Cream Bloke’s videos of the first and second day.

Opening Times

Tuesday 12th February
10.00am – 5.00pm (last entry 4.30pm)

Wednesday 13th February
10.00am – 5.00pm (last entry 4.30pm)

Thursday 14th February
10.00am – 3.00pm (last entry 2.30pm)

News


New ROKK 3 Series Homogeniser

New ROKK 3 Series Homogeniser

Brand new for 2019, ROKK introduces the 3 Series, a high pressure homogeniser and piston pump with excellent performance and reliability.

With machines from 25 – 25,000 L/H for a superior ice cream mix combined with highly competitive pricing, ROKK offers local service and spare parts support from it’s UK distributers Machinery World.

FEATURES

  • Designed according to the EU safety rules (CE standards)
  • Single and two stage options
  • Engineered, manufactured and tested according to ISO EN 9001 Quality System
  • Engineered and designed for easy maintenance and clearing (CIP and SIP)
  • Suitable for abrasive and viscous product
  • Automatic homogenisation pressure controller with pneumatic adjustment
  • Stainless steel construction (Frame) and electrical panel board
  • Less footprint with ergonomic design
  • Sanitary design analogue diaphragm high pressure gauge
  • V belts drive train and gearbox speed reduction unit
  • AC motor drive

News


New addition to the Ciccarelli family business

New addition to the Ciccarelli family business

If you’ve had an Italian gelato in the North East of England, chances are it will have been made by one of the Gregorio brothers of family-run business Ciccarelli. The fleet operators, food service wholesalers and owners of a gelateria on South Beach still use an antique Carpigiani L40 to make multi award winning gelato – but the veteran has recently been joined by a brand new Cattabriga Multifreeze Pro 18.

We spoke to Domenico to find out how the two new workmates were getting along.

Ciccarelli started serving gelato to the people of Northumberland in 1966 from just one ice cream van. Today the business, which is run by the five Gregorio brothers Michele, Antonio, Gino, Franco and Domenico, operates a fleet of 30 vans, multiple static pitches, a beach-side Artisan Gelateria, 200 cover Fish & Chip Restaurant Takeaway and an Ice Cream Factory which wholesales to some of the best known restaurants and tourist attractions in the region.

Named for mother Elena (nee Ciccarelli), who still plays an active role in the business, the gelateria produces over 40 flavours daily, using the finest ingredients from Italy blended with milk and cream from the local dairy. The family don’t use freezers for storage but produce fresh batches on multiple batch freezers all day, every day – which leads you to wonder – just how many litres will the Carpigiani have produced in its life span?

They invested in their brand new Cattabriga Multifreeze Pro 18 after Franco visited the Machinery World stand at the Ice Cream Expo and was shown the batch machine in action. His positive reaction prompted Domenico to drive to Machinery World with some mix to try it out first hand:

Whilst we have been buying parts from Machinery World for about ten years, we used to buy our machines from Italy,” says Domenico. “But being able to pop down and trial the machine with our own mix was fantastic – and I was incredibly impressed from the word go with both the machine and the Machinery World approach.

hey were as fast and efficient with the delivery and installation of the Cattabriga as they are with the spare parts arm of the business,” he continued. “An engineer came up, installed the machine and did a full days’ training with the staff. He also left his phone number which was great, as with most things it takes time to get used to – we didn’t believe how efficiently it could work at lower settings. When we came across a problem he answered straight away and gave us all the reassurance we needed as we kept jamming up the blade.

And the machine itself?

I have always wanted a brand new Cattabriga,” admits Domenico “and LOVE the economy of metal blades, as I change the plastic scrappers religiously every season on all the batch freezers.

The capacity range is incredible – I still can’t quite believe that you can mix anything between 2litres and 18litres in the same barrel.

The girls love it too:

It freezes really quickly, making production so efficient – we were using 3 machines in a pattern continuously making small batches all day, but now I just use this one – Jessica

I like how we can choose separate settings for the sorbets, the choice of levels of hardness and how quickly it freezes. The front door doesn’t ice up either so it is incredibly easy to operate – Kirsten

So will the Cattabriga take the place of the Carpigiani?

It is a fantastic machine, but, hey, the L40 is family – if you can’t use the stick (paddle) you’re not a true gelateo!” laughs Domenico.

News


Planning ahead for 2019!

Planning ahead for 2019!
The Ice Cream Alliance is a membership association that supports the ice cream industry. Their mission is to “encourage and support the production, vending and consumption of premium ice creams and other frozen treats”.

It is the only membership trade association for the ice cream industry in the United Kingdom and is the organiser of the Ice Cream Expo. This is an annual event and the only one of its kind in the UK, attracting visitors and businesses from all over the world.


What does the ICA do?

The Ice Cream Alliance works hard to represent the interests of its members as well as the general trade and to promote the industry as a whole. This can involve liaising with authorities such as EHOs, Trading Standards, planning officers and event organisers to best help members.

More particularly, they are involved in an ongoing campaign regarding ice cream in schools, including lobbying Parliament and influencing policy makers, addressing the media and giving access to practical tools to help their members.

They are also working hard to promote quality ice cream. This involves giving the public information about what real artisan ice cream is and the opportunity to enjoy local ice cream products.

If you’d like a copy of the 2019 Wall Planner, you can download one on the link below

News


Cheshire farm record a 40% increase in production

Cheshire farm record a 40% increase in production
Cheshire Farm are recording a 40% increase on production compared to the same period last year and recently featured on BBC News.

BBC News visited Cheshire Farm, a Machinery World customer which uses ROKK machinery to talk about how great the weather this summer has affected ice cream sales. Cheshire farm are recording a 40% increase on production compared to the same period last year.

 

News


Record breaking times on the Isle of Man

Record breaking times on the Isle of Man

If you’ve had an ice cream at the International Isle of Man TT, chances are that it will have come from local producer, wholesaler and vendor Davisons. With all that high performance technology flying around the island, it comes as no surprise to hear that Davisons have invested in their own super machines, which have increased production rates fourfold.

We caught up with Director Greig Davison to find out how his new ROKK MP1200 (1,200 litres per hour ice cream mix plant) is shattering as many records as the riders.

Ian Davison started business on the island 30 years ago as a chocolatier, adding ice cream production from 1995 – and this soon became the mainstay of the business. Applying the same business ethics of never cheating on the quality or flavour of the product, Davisons always use cream from the Isle of Man, British sugar – and the finest flavourings from Italy.
The family business, which rapidly expanded to include son Greig, cousins, uncles and even 90 year old accountant Grandad in the mix, operates 2 outlets, 7 vans – and wholesales to over 95% of the island’s other outlets and distributors.

Davisons have been customers of Machinery World for around 5 years, initially using them to quickly source spare parts for their existing machine. When it became time to purchase new machinery, Davisons didn’t hesitate to turn to Machinery World and sister company ROKK:

“We were keen to find somewhere in the UK to buy from, that kept spare parts in the UK too” explains Greig. “We really liked the simplicity of our old machinery, as if something went wrong, it was easy to diagnose and replace, so we wanted to find something which was intelligently designed with all the leading edge aspects we need, but put together in an uncomplicated way. What we didn’t like with our old machines was the time delay involved when having to deal with overseas suppliers – and the inevitable language barriers. Machinery World ticked all the boxes. Also, because of the similarity of the ROKK MP1200 to our old machines, when the Machinery World engineer came to set it up, we were able to have an extremely detailed training session – learning everything we need to know in just one day.”

Our new ROKK equipment is idiot proof, simple to use with no messing around or unnecessarily complicated technology that could go wrong – but still sophisticated enough to do everything we need it to do.”

And it certainly does everything Davisons’ need: their new plant for preparing ice cream mix includes a boiler for heating the ice cream mix and a chiller plant for cooling it post-pasteurisation – and has increased production capacity from 300ltrs per hour to 1,200ltrs per hour.

“Our ROKK system gives us the chance to do other things in the day, so we are not always playing catch up over the summer,” continues Greig. “And, of course, with Machinery World being UK based, we can get any spare parts we may need the next day. The whole team are approachable, always available on the phone and they certainly know their stuff. If we have an issue, we can send a What’s App video and get an answer within half an hour – which would have taken half a week from overseas.

“As a family business, relationships are very important – and we do like a bit of banter. All the team at Machinery World are not only knowledgeable and helpful, they are also always ready for a laugh -and great fun to work with.”

So with more time on their hands this summer, the Davisons can spare a moment to bet which of their current 32 core flavours will grab the TT’s most popular ice cream trophy this year.

News


Men in black

Men in black

Our new VW Transporter service van has arrived in gleaming back paintwork with new graphics to match our website.

The vehicle joins our existing fleet which will all eventually be upgraded with matching vehicles.

The Machinery World brand is a very visible aspect of our business, therefore we were keen to integrate it strongly onto our vehicle liveries with the help of our long-standing design and digital agency HTDL who designed the vehicle livery.

Commented Paul Crowter, Managing Director

News