Jackstone Freezing Systems said it had originally spun off its plate freezer arm to focus on producing other freezing systems, though now hopes to re-integrate the division to step up its presence in the market.
The group said that by bringing plate freezing back under the Jackstone name, it will be able to supply a wealth of both previously available and innovative new horizontal and vertical plate freezers.
"We hope to become a premier provider of plate freezers to the fishing and food processing community as we have already done with our spiral, Boxafreeze & (individual quick freezing)
IQF
[systems]," Jackstone stated.
Plate freezing Gary Franklin, who will take up the role of sales manager for the new division, told FoodProductionDaily.com that plate freezers offer high-speed bulk freezing to meat, seafood and beverage manufacturers for their ingredients and products.
While Franklin said that the technology it primarily shipped to other European markets due to the high level of processed, packaged food in the UK market, he believes that there is potential for plate freezing in its domestic market as well.
"The company will look increasingly at providing more streamlined automated systems that offer an entire package rather than just a single process," he stated "We are now in a position to be working with processors to retrofit their existing equipment to make it more up-to-date for current industry needs.
Innovation One possible area of innovation being considered by the group was the use of automated loading systems that would allow fishermen and other suppliers to more directly get their product to the freezers, according to Franklin.
He added that other technologies such as new conveyor systems were also being considered.
In order to meet the labour and energy efficiency requirements of manufacturers, Franklin said that more environmentally friendly systems such as adopting greener refrigerants like carbon dioxide (CO2) would be a vital focus.