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A simple machine that works a treat

RATHBONES Bakeries has increased production rates, guaranteed hygienic production and saved on staffing costs following the installation of a Streamfeeder model ST1250 to feed base cards automatically into Flowrapper infeeds on its crumpet line at the Newport plant.

According to bakery manager Ann Sansom, the Streamfeeder model is “a simple machine that works”, and she is delighted with it. “No one here belongs to Mensa, including me,” she adds, “so I want a machine that is simple to use and reliable in operation which is what we have with this unit.”

Supplied by UK agents Partners in Packaging, the Streamfeeder model ST1250 base card feeder uses Streamfeeder patented Differential Friction Technology to ensure precise product separation and feeding. At Rathbones, the machine is used to feed base cards or U cards at 60/min, into 6s, 8s and 12s crumpet pack sizes 24 hours a day, six days a week. “The new machine has been extremely reliable and has been a great help to us, in terms of meeting our 24 hour production schedules,” says Sansom.

Sansom also believes that by no longer hand feeding cards into the crumpet packs, the company has reduced the risks of any product contamination which is important for the EFSIS accredited production site. It has also, of course, given a saving on labour costs as it has cut one person from the line.

Five Streamfeeders have been supplied to the Newport, Carlisle and Wakefield sites of Rathbones Bakeries, a national group of family bakeries which is part of the Greencore Group. It produces over 50 varieties and supplies 20 million loaves, rolls and speciality breads every week to retail and foodservice outlets.

Duncan Macintyre, joint managing director of Partners in Packaging says: “More and more UK companies are coming round to the benefits offered by the Streamfeeder card feeder units and the significant cost savings they can bring to a busy bakery. The bakery industry has proved to be the single largest growth market for this extremely versatile piece of kit. Payback on the equipment is very attractive,” he says.