Sponge pudding production line for major contract

Turbo Systems has project managed the installation of a complete production line for a range of 12 microwave-able sponge puddings, as well as supplying the bulk of the machinery

Turbo Systems, one of the world's leading manufacturers of filling and depositing machinery, found its reputation had gone before it when it was asked to provide machinery for a new production line at the factory of a leading ready meals producer - and to manage the whole project.

Simpsons Ready Foods, a family-owned and run business which has been operating in the Manchester area for close on a century, had never previously done much business with Turbo Systems.

But its executives knew more than enough about its quality service to place it at the head of a shortlist of suppliers.

The Simpsons operations director, John Raynor, filled in the background to the deal being struck.

''We were responding to a request from one of the major supermarket chains to manufacture a range of microwaveable sponge puddings with the initial overture swiftly followed by similar ones from other major supermarket companies,'' he said.

This brought a need for a dedicated production line for a range of 12 different puddings.

And while Simpsons looked at other options it quickly settled on Turbo Systems to be both lead supplier and project manager.

''We had known of the company for many years, known their long experience in the field and their reputation for quality products, reliability, service and price competitiveness,'' said Mr Raynor.

So while ultimately a contract was struck with four different suppliers it is Turbo Systems which has provided the bulk of the machinery - a pre-mixer, storage tank, aerator with cleaning in place, syrup and batter monoblock depositors included - and which also masterminded the installation of the complete production line.

And for a company with the Turbo Systems pedigree - it has been operating as an independently owned enterprise for almost 50 years serving a large number of process markets ranging from food and beverages to pharmaceuticals and from chemicals to pet products - the stringent demands from Simpsons were quickly met.

Ted O'Kines, Turbo area sales manager, said: ''We are experienced in meeting our customers' individual needs, particularly those in the food sector where there are usually requirements in the hygiene and safety fields, and we are also no strangers to joint enterprises with other suppliers''.

Simpsons needed to be able to produce a range of puddings, including chocolate, lemon, syrup, spotted dick and a Christmas variety - and insisted that the custard provided with some of them maintained its yellow colour.

Seal quality on the vacuum packs - sometimes turned-out at the rate of 60,000 a day - also had to meet rigorous standards and speed of operation was another factor to be met.

Summing up John Raynor said: ''This is a very technical product to manufacture, one which operates to critical parameters, and as it is a new venture with new packaging and technology for us, we had to ensure we dealt with the best.

With Turbo Systems we know we have made the right decision''.

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