Outlook 2022: Glimpses into the freezing/cooling segment

PREVIOUSLY known as Eurotek Engineering, Korutek rebranded in 2021 to underline its expertise in spiral freezer design and modification.  The company based in the UK offers new spiral chillers, spiral coolers, or IQF (individual quick freezing) freezers as well as most services and spare parts needed by food manufacturers that operate those machines. It has worked with companies such as Heck Food, a producer of burgers and sausages in the UK, and in Norway with Foodtech Industry, a supplier of production equipment, maintenance and services, and Orkla a producer of frozen foods such as ready-to-eat meals, soups, sauces, and pizza.

Frozen foods, from vegetables to cooked meals, are among the fastest growing categories in the industry today because consumers are seeking convenience in food preparation. And during the pandemic, demand for frozen foods grew even further as home cooks increasingly turned to frozen goods, aside from canned goods, that keep fresher and longer in the fridge. Many restaurants now also sell their food in the frozen aisle.

Freezing technologies have also improved over the years, in terms of design and efficiency. FoodPacific Manufacturing Journal asked Korutek Managing Director, Rahim Ali on what lies ahead for this sector.

Rahim Ali, Managing Director, Korutek   

What was it like for Korutek during the past two years?

With COVID-19 and Brexit having an impact on the way Korutek Engineering needed to operate, prior planning and strong supplier relations became critical for us to continue to provide our customers with the services they expected.

Delays at ports and changes in immigration and customs rules all meant that the supply chain was disrupted. Clear communication and forward planning mitigated unseen hurdles caused by the global pandemic.

Our solutions-based approach, strong communication skills and excellent customer service have allowed us to serve our clients in such unprecedented times, and to overcome constraints faced in the global marketplace.

What trends are now driving demand for freezing solutions in the F&B sector?

We have found that the pandemic and lockdowns experienced in the UK and across the world have raised consumer demand for frozen and convenience foods, leading to manufacturers having higher quotas to fill.

This combined with factory labour shortages are pushing companies to become more forward-thinking, automating as much of their production line as possible to avoid missing production quotas.

Government capex incentives, such as the tax super-deduction (UK only), are also increasing the demand for new machinery.

Lastly, there is greater focus on efficiency and environmentalism – due to F Gas legislations and the increasing cost of FREON refrigerants, we have seen more companies opting for natural refrigerants.

Are there new technologies being introduced to improve freezing/cooling, and will we see applications in 2022?

Korutek is pleased to announce a new product range launching in 2022 for food factories looking to increase their freezing capacity, efficiency and product quality. These systems will have small footprints, a modular design, and autonomous operations to create the most productive solution possible.

The new product offering will make the machinery acquisition process simpler. The machine will be easier to transport, and as a modular solution it will minimise disruption on site. Korutek and our team of expert technicians will also be on hand with critical parts, saving critical time in instances of breakdowns.

Please comment on how automation is now revolutionising freezing/cooling.

Automation is allowing factories to operate for longer, and is increasing their overall capacity. It’s also improving the quality of food products with the aid of autonomous freezing/chilling solutions which individually and quickly freeze and chill products.

And as mentioned before, factory labour shortages have pressured companies to automate as much of their production line as possible to avoid missing production quotas.

What can manufacturers expect from Korutek in the year ahead?

Korutek will continue to deliver unrivalled customer service and a solutions-based approach with our team of expert technicians, bringing to customers what they need on-time and on-budget. We’re also eager to launch our brand-new product range.