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Private….Matters

Private label or brand consumers are switching sq2

A tightening economy sees increased focus on private-label production, driving the demand for quality, cost-efficiency and sustainability

Private label or brand consumers are switching
Private label or brand? Consumers are switching

But is this change all about price?

Not according to Circana, a global leader in consumer behaviour.

Their research reveals a major part of the shift is from traditional trusted brands to retailers’ own mid to high-end Private Label ranges.

”…Sixty per cent of shoppers in Europe now think private labels are as good as national brands, and crucially: 21% of consumers who buy both, many of whom are middle-income cohorts, now think they are better than national brands”

Steph Cullen, head of Circana

Customer trust in Private Label brands has been won through retailers’ constant focus on innovation and quality.

Retailer’s manufacturing partners have a deep understanding of this market dynamic. As a result, they are ready to invest in mixing capability that helps meet retailers’ demands.

Brand Switch 2022
A clear switch to Private-Label

The Greaves Experience

In Greaves’ own experience, private label manufacturers are often more willing to embrace new methods than brand competitors as they seek our help to meet the exacting standards of leading food retailers.

Rapid mixing, repeatability, consistency and swift batch changes are always top of their agenda.

However, there is also a new focus on sustainability. Goals include reduced energy consumption, lower processing waste and extended shelf life.

The Greaves Effect

Greaves engineers work collaboratively with manufacturers’ technical teams. We first evaluate current performance and then offer innovative ways of achieving their objectives whilst complying with certification requirements.

Our initial consultation involves a “deep dive” into existing processes. This is key in identifying what additional gains might be achieved beyond our customer’s initial expectations.

We find customers are frequently surprised at the significant capacity and quality gains achievable through a relatively small investment.

Automation Benefits
Automation Benefits

Often, the number and size of machines required are less than anticipated. New mixing technology can dramatically reduce cycle times.

Furthermore, process waste can regularly be reduced to insignificant levels. As a result, this helps customers achieve their sustainability goals and deliver additional cost savings.

Greaves Deliver

In summary, Greaves’ collaborative approach enables our customers to consistently deliver quality products with the extended shelf life that meets retailers’ sustainability goals.

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100 years and still improving – The Move to High Performance Mixing

2019 is our centenary year. Over the past 100 years, Greaves has built an enviable reputation for our knowledge and expertise in mixing processes and systems. While the technologies have continually developed to meet the growing needs and expectations of our customers, we have witnessed a significant acceleration in the sophistication of mixing requirements over the past 20 years.

Above all, with market forces driving a relentless pursuit of product quality and consistency, our clients have been pressed to constantly improve their manufacturing processes. As a result, enhanced technical performance and mixing productivity are now essential. These advances have primarily been achieved through process systems delivering ever more flexible control automation and a corresponding reduction in the need for human intervention.

In today’s manufacturing world, the Greaves Team sees a constant requirement for High-Performance Mixing Solutions and Integrated Mixing Systems. Furthermore, we have seen this shift across all of our markets whether industrial chemicals, food or pharmaceuticals.

Examples of 21st Century integrated mixing systems from Greaves

Consequently, many features that might have been considered as optional ‘add-ons’ or costly luxuries in the 1980s and 90s are now common requirements:

  • Hygienic design with no “hang-ups” to avoid cross-contamination
  • Highly-polished stainless steel
  • Integrated cleaning systems for rapid product change
  • Rapid heating and cooling for energy efficiency
  • Pressurised/vacuum vessels to control cycle times
  • High-performance shaft sealing technology to eliminate product leakage
  • Automated filling and discharge to expedite production turnaround
  • Programmable cycle control with batch recording for end-to-end traceability
  • Material and finish certification, FAT & SAT acceptance for comprehensive documentation

Notwithstanding these rapid changes, we are proud to maintain our position at the forefront of industrial mixing technology.

So, here’s to the next 100 years.

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Greaves Solution: Capacity Up 660%

Borregaard are an innovative additive producer servicing a wide range manufacturing industries including Construction, Agriculture, Animal Feed, Oil & Gas, Food and Pharmaceutical.

The single largest use for lignosulfonates is as plasticisers in making
concrete, blocks and bricks

Borregaard is the leading UK manufacturer and distributor of Lignosulphanates.

Lignosulphanates are widely used in construction products to increase manufacturing efficiency, reduce energy usage and improve product performance.

Project Brief:

Borregaard UK Production Manager, Chris Barrick takes up the story…

“To meet increased demand and to improve efficiencies, we needed to rapidly increase our production capacity and turned to Greaves for help. Our manufacturing process is very challenging as it includes the dispersion of a fine, hygroscopic powder in liquid.  Process time for large batches was often upwards of two days from start to finish and required a significant amount of operator input.”

Chris invited Greaves to study the companies existing production set-up and offer alternative solutions.

The Greaves Proposition...
Greaves technicians conducted a thorough process review and proposed a change in mixing technology using Borregaard’s existing process vessels. The next step was to perform small-scale trials in Greaves MixLab R&D centre. The trials confirmed the suitability of the new technology which gave Borregaard confidence to invest in Greaves full-scale solution.

The Results...

The first two Greaves mixers were installed in Borregaards existing 5000L & 24000L vessels and had an immediate impact on operations.

Chris Barrick continues: ” This has resulted in improved efficiencies for operators and production output.  We are now able to produce 5 times more product in our larger process and 10 times more product in our smaller process over the same period of time as previous methods of mixing technology had produced.

We are extremely pleased with the outcome and would like to thank the team at Greaves Mixers for helping us to achieve this significant step forward in our production efficiencies and capacity.”

Project Update...

The Borregaard parent company has been so pleased with the commercial success of this new technology that they have now made funds available for investment in 3 new vessels and mixers.

Greaves is delighted to work with Borregaard and its team and we look forward to assisting their future growth.

If you have an issue with mixing capacity and would like to talk to Greaves, please get in touch.