Known for their fruit preserves, jams, pickles, and even wine, Barkers New Zealand was established in 1969. The small family hobby has come a long way in the last five decades, becoming one of New Zealand’s well-known brands. So, when they approached our team with a new inquiry in February 2021, we were excited to be able to assess their situation and guide them to a suitable solution.
The Issue:
Barker’s fruit processing and bottling lines have been a well-established cornerstone of their business. In early 2021 it was evident that their current motor and gearboxes were not up to the challenge of the wet and harsh washdown environment.
The existing gear drive was made with cast iron housing with a standard paint job. And while the equipment had no issues keeping up with production the problem lay in the flaking paintwork, which in turn affected the ability of the line to get approved to produce hygienic and safe food.
Solution:
After studying the fruit processing & bottling lines and collecting specifications and dimensions, we were able to recommend a Clean-Geartech stainless steel gearbox and motor as a complete replacement. With Clean-Geartech, we were able to offer an exact match to the existing output shaft and flange by special ordering the gearboxes and motors direct from the supplier in Italy.
The special non-standard gearbox mounting parts in this case did result in a 2-month turnaround time, however, to ensure that the specifications were met without the need to replace the entire system or modify the machine itself, the waiting period was worth it.
What you can do:
Barker’s New Zealand is not a unique working area. There are certain chemicals along with water exposure which means certain finishes will be affected more easily. So that you can get ahead of the curve, we strongly suggest looking to replace parts with their stainless-steel counterparts. This can be done in small increments at the time of maintenance to avoid a large expenditure when something happens to the entire line.
How can EQM help:
We now offer EQM Hygiene, which covers all your stainless-steel options. So, if like Barkers New Zealand you have a desire to ensure a smooth and seamless flow throughout the replacement process, we can work with our suppliers to provide a custom solution suitable for your facility. To discuss the EQM Hygiene range and the best options for your facility then get in touch with our team today
Make your geardrive or bearing hygiene issue become our challenge and let us show you how we can take the problem away!
