Investing in your future

We are delighted to announce that we have posted the biggest five year income in our company's history. Our 2010-2014 income exceeded £100 million - an increase of £40 million compared to the previous five year period - fuelling significant investment.

Our strong financial results have enabled us to invest heavily in our facilities, equipment and staff. We have invested over £3 million in capital projects over the last two years to ensure that we have the cutting-edge facilities needed to meet your needs, including over £1.5 million in new, state-of-the-art processing and analytical equipment. Below is a selection of some of the equipment we have installed over the past 12 months:

CT scanner

The quality and performance of many foods, ingredients and packaging materials relies heavily on their 3D structure. Our new x-ray micro-computed tomography (CT) scanner allows us to look at this in considerable detail, giving new insight into the microstructural properties of food and packaging.

ToF mass spectrometer

For authenticity testing, analysing product changes over time and quality benchmarking, we have purchased an Accurate Mass Quadrupole Time of Flight Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometer. Amongst other things, it allows us to quantify trace unknown compounds in complex matrices at much lower levels and has significantly improved the efficiency and the range of services we offer through instrumental flavour analysis.

Large scale cold plasma

Cold plasma offers potential for the disinfection of surfaces, in particular equipment, packaging, food contact surfaces or even food itself, and could extend shelf life or allow online disinfection of processing equipment to reduce crosscontamination and the establishment of biofilms.

UV-C

UV light treatment is a non-thermal, non-chemical technology to inactivate microorganisms. A new UV-tunnel allows us to run trials and explore industrial applications, including the surface decontamination of conveying lines, packaging and containers, as well as of food products such as fruits or vegetables and bakery products.

Coffee roaster

In support of our coffee science, technology and product development services we have invested in both small-scale and production-scale coffee roasters. Roasting is a key operation in coffee processing - all the flavours and aromas of coffee are generated during the roasting process. These acquisitions back up our expertise in blending and tasting, flavour analysis and coffee technology more generally.

Flash pasteuriser and carbonator/filler

Our Armfield HTST/UHT flash pasteurisation unit is ideal if you wish to develop drinks. It can be used to flash pasteurise beverages prior to carbonating and filling using our new carbonator. The unit is suitable for a range of products, including dairy beverages, milk shakes, fruit juices and beverage syrups. It can also be used with fortified and functional beverages.