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Food & Drink
Seasoned success
An automated seasonings plant in Thailand has benefited from the
strategic alliance between Marco and Matcon
A module within Marco’s innovative TRAC-IT MES factory floor Ingredient batch quantities vary from a few grams, to over a
solution is playing a vital role at Monexco’s newly commissioned hundred kilograms and the plant has been designed to operate
automated seasonings plant in Thailand. The project, which was 24 hours a day with a throughput rate of seven batches per hour.
completed at the beginning of 2007, is the first carried out under Ever-changing consumer requirements necessitate optimum
the umbrella of the strategic alliance between Marco and plant flexibility so that formulation changes can be rapidly
powder handling specialists Matcon. Matcon was responsible introduced. To meet these demands, the complete
for the supply of all the process equipment with the exception of manufacturing process is based around mobile bins utilising
the mixers and packers, whilst Marco’s software brings Matcon's Vari-stroke Cone Valve technology, which allows both
important traceability, control and visibility to the operation. minor and major ingredients to be formulated into an
TRAC-IT MES (Manufacturing Execution System) is a blend of Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC). This enables the fast and
‘operational specific’ software modules, which are then accurate direct dosing of products from silos or IBCs, without
customised to meet the exacting demands for each part of the the need for secondary feeders. (Secondary feeders would be
manufacturing process, including traceability, recipe slow and would not allow rapid formulation changeovers,
management, analysis, scheduling, stock control and without extensive cleaning to prevent ingredient cross
management. Fitting between the factory floor control systems contamination). A growing number of manufacturers such as
at one end of the spectrum and business systems at the other, Monexco have turned to IBC batch production as an alternative
the TRAC-IT MES layer effectively controls the ‘who, what, to fixed conveying and formulation equipment. This method of
where and when’ of such operations by analysing and production, known as Parallel Processing, allows each discreet
responding to factory floor data in real time. operation to run at maximum efficiency and ensures that down-
The four storey plant is designed to receive and store a range time is kept to a minimum.
of powdered raw materials, formulate the ingredients into Marco’s MD Murray Hilborne is clear on the advantages of his
batches and then mix them in a high speed mixer. The mixed company’s encompassing TRAC-IT MES solution and as he
product is then taken to the finished packaging hall, for packing concludes: “We are showing time and time again that significant
into sachets, which are included in the Company's range of gains can be made by manufacturers in a diverse range of
consumer-ready bowls of noodles. Raw materials arrive via a industries, typically without having to revolutionise their
variety of modes including road tanker, IBCs and sacks. manufacturing processes. The TRAC-IT MES layer uses existing
data that’s often ignored or
under-utilised, to provide a
constant measure-control-
improve environment
where traceability comes
as standard. By exploiting
TRAC-IT MES software, our
customers are increasing
operational efficiency,
reducing cycle times,
eliminating data entry
errors, whilst improving
quality and customer
service. Our alliance with
Matcon ensures customers
receive the best solution
for their particular
application, utilising the two
companies’ unsurpassed
expertise and experience.”
For more information
contact Marco on tel:
01342 870103 or visit:
www.marco.co.uk
www.solidsandbulk.co.uk August 2007 • Solids & Bulk Handling 9
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