Industry & Business

AAK (UK) Limited, the country’s leading manufacturer and supplier of fats and functional ingredients, has been delivering free, regular plant health checks for the bakery sector for the past few years. Part of its dedication to develop value added bakery solutions for customers, AAK works in partnership with various bakery manufacturers to optimise performance. AAK’s commitment is clearly paying dividends, with customers reporting reductions in cost and waste, as well as improvements in plant safety and cleanliness.

AAK’s assessment covers every aspect of manufacture, from storage and application of product through to production and delivery, and includes product specification as well as equipment recommendations.

Time is spent listening to operators’ ideas and concerns as well as advising on the set up of equipment. AAK’s technical application manager will then, if required, assess the area, and produce a tailored action plan for any identified improvements. AAK’s input does not end at this point; with customised monitoring to measure progress and fine-tune recommendations.

AAK often helps to improve grease patterns and weights. By perfecting spraying accuracy, excess oil that has previously been sprayed outside tins is limited. This reduces waste and saves money, but also prevents grease being inadvertently sprayed onto the surrounding environment – keeping the area cleaner, enhancing hygiene and improving safety.

For one major sliced bread manufacturer, AAK’s advice on spraying patterns, set up and operating training has resulted in remarkable improvements. The bakery was using AAK’s tin emulsion applied via a competitor’s spray equipment. Having undertaken plant health checks at two separate sites, AAK’s applications manager, Mick Ferguson, provided pictorial guidance on correct application and spray patterns. He also gave advice on optimum spray weights, set up the system and provided a recording process for control purposes, since none was in place.

The results were significant. Having configured the system for optimum performance, AAK’s team had reduced over application and atomisation, resulting in a cleaner, healthier bakery. This translated into savings across the two sites of around 25% and approximately £35,000.

“AAK has never been content with simply selling ingredients or products. We have always focussed on solutions. From our experience of working with a wide range of manufacturers across the bakery sector, we understand that there is no ‘one-size fits all’ solution. A bespoke approach is pretty much always required,” said Mick.

“Where customers are already using AAK products, advice will be given if new or different AAK products might produce a superior result or help to extend the life of tins, pans or oven bands.”

“We also give on the ground advice on equipment, maintenance and servicing. If technical engineering input is required to improve or provide new application equipment, our engineering project manager is on hand to offer design advice and consultation. We also offer bespoke equipment supply agreements, allowing our customers to lease equipment such as spray guns or pump stations. 

“For example, we have found that our low level oiling systems are really making a difference to customers,” said Mick. “Not only do they reduce the quantities of divider oil required, but they make equipment maintenance safer and improve the working environment.”

“Our aim is to optimise efficiency and improve results for our customers. If this means we are advising on areas that have no relevance to our service offering, we are more than happy to share our expertise. We see ourselves as more than suppliers. We see ourselves as partners, and we hope that our customers see us that way too.”

Ends

Editorial Information:

AAK (UK) Limited specialises in the production of oils, fats and functional ingredients for the food manufacturing and baking industries, as well as for foodservice and retail.

Based in Hull, AAK (UK) Limited operates one of the UK’s largest edible oils refineries. Its products are sold throughout the UK and in over 35 countries.

AAK Engineering Services also designs and maintains a wide range of processing aid and application systems to optimise production efficiency and extend the life of tins, pans and oven bands.

To contact AAK (UK) Limited, please visit www.aak-uk.com, call +44 (0)1482 701271 or email uk.info@aak.com

For media enquiries please contact:

Julie Leydon or Rebecca Platt

AAK (UK) Limited press officers

+44 (0)1482 649343

julie@bluestormdesign.co.uk or rebecca.platt@bluestormdesign.co.uk