First Steam Infusion projects installed in China
In a first for OAL, we have installed multiple Steam Infusion cooking systems in China, helping manufacturers to improve standardisation and repeatability in their processes. As demand for Western-style food grows in China, manufacturers are investing in European cooking technology to deliver products that will fly off the shelf. Using OAL equipment and expertise, state-of-the-art plants will now manufacture high-quality products for customers right across China.
Challenge
The appetite for Western-style products is growing in the Chinese market, and manufacturers are keen to diversify their product portfolio to take advantage of demand. However, existing production techniques often suffer from a great deal of variability due to the manual nature of current operations. This can create challenges for manufacturers as the products may differ in quality, appearance and taste between facilities, and even between shifts, which can damage manufacturers’ relationship with their direct customers and the consumers themselves who expect the same great tasting products every single time.
Seeking a solution to overcome this problem of variability, manufacturers in China have looked to proven technology to help them achieve the required standardisation and repeatability of their products. By moving away from manual operations and using the latest equipment, manufacturers plan to keep their customers happy and grow demand for their products.
Solution
Thanks to the global growth in demand for Steam Infusion, the myriad of benefits the technology can bring to food processing and OAL’s partnership with Spirax Sarco, the world’s largest supplier of steam equipment, we were chosen as the key partner on multiple projects.
Working closely with customers, both at our UK head office and on the ground at facilities in China, we have been able to offer solutions to the above challenges. Our team conducted training with new operators in China both in our UK facility and on-site in China to ensure that systems were up and running immediately, allowing customers to make the most of their new equipment from day one, with remote access support to maximise their production potential for as long as needed. As the technology tends to be completely different to anything in the market, this support is a vital element of our offering to ensure the smooth running of operations post-installation. In addition, Spirax Sarco provides on-the-ground maintenance and ongoing health checks of the steam systems installed to ensure the smooth running of the facility.
Key results
Working with manufacturers, we were able to achieve a complete step change in operations. By transforming operations with automation we have helped our customers to achieve the required standardisation of their end products, thus ensuring complete repeatability of recipes in each individual batch. We’ve also improved traceability, as all operations and changes are tracked by the recipe control system, metered ingredients and timed cooking.
With our technology, manufacturers have been able to produce at high levels of standardisation and repeatability within their product portfolio. Steam Infusion has allowed manufacturers to cut their cooking times by over 50%, while delivering taste profiles that will win over consumers in the Chinese market time and time again.
“We’re delighted to expand our operations into China and take on new projects there. Steam Infusion can bring so many benefits to the food production process and it’s great to see the Chinese market is keen to take advantage of the technology.”