Process Control and Automation


“The automation CEPI develops matches this demand by providing total interconnection and information exchange. We can send and receive information to and from any third party in the line. Our solutions provide full horizontal and vertical integration, managing dialogue and data among our devices and those of other partners, after the dosing and before the raw ingredients management. All our data can be easily integrated with global ERP to archive organisation- wide traceability. It can generate important information not only for the production departments and management, but for departments such as Quality Control (lot usage information for each raw material) and Purchases (schedule of raw material purchase, spare part purchase).


“The move toward a total digitalisation extends to a preference for remote control of all operations, from any location and on all devices such as smartphones and tablets, which CEPI is already providing alongside with remote commissioning, maintenance and monitoring.” Rob says: Increased digitisation throughout the production line will pave the way for inspection data to be shared end to end. The great benefit of this capability will be full traceability and transparency of production and packaging line processes, which can help manufacturers to operate more efficiently, as well as improving levels of consumer trust and confidence in the quality and safety of the finished confectionery.


Japan’s Inaba Peanuts Co., Ltd. improves product consistency and increases production volumes by acquiring a tomra 5b optical sorter


Inaba Peanuts Co., Ltd. produces more types of food than its name suggests. Established more than a century ago as a maker of rice crackers in 1918, the business began to specialise in processing peanuts since 1947. It now also produces snacks such as almonds, cashews, walnuts, chestnuts, Japanese Dried plums, Almond fish, and Fried beans. At its four factories in Gifu Prefecture in central Japan, the company’s mission is to produce foods with “safety, security, and deliciousness”. Inaba’s almonds and cashews became so popular that


the company faced two significant challenges. One was the need to increase output to keep up with demand - but production rates were restricted by bottlenecks because of heavy reliance on manual sorting. The other was to achieve fewer variations in product quality - but again, the traditional method of manually sorting nuts was limiting achievable consistency.


Reassured by TOMRA Food’s approach


Inaba Peanuts Co., Ltd.’s President and CEO, Mr.YoIchi Ogura, found solutions to both these challenges when he attended FOOMA JAPAN, the international food machinery and technology exhibition, in 2017. Visiting the stand of TOMRA Food, Mr. Ogura quickly recognised that TOMRA’s sorting machines could help Inaba achieve both its targets: higher production volumes and consistent product quality. What’s more, TOMRA’s sorters could also help Inaba reduce food waste and improve yields. This is important not only for business efficiency but also because consumers increasingly expect food producers to adopt sustainable business practices. When TOMRA Food reviewed Inaba Peanuts’ requirements, it was clear that the company needed the TOMRA 5B optical sorting machine. Inaba took delivery of a TOMRA 5B in September 2021 and is delighted with the results.


KennedysConfection.com Inaba Peanut’s Team


Mr. Ogura commented: “Even though we assigned a large number of skilled personnel to our almond and cashew nut lines to sort-out foreign materials and defective products, and even though these people were very good at their jobs, we weren’t happy with the variation in quality. The other problem was that our workforce was ageing, and inspection work on production lines doesn’t appeal to the younger generation. Finding people to do this work was becoming a significant issue.


“The TOMRA 5B has solved these problems. There is


no longer any variation in quality. The standards of the end product are very stable even when the quality of infeed materials varies. The machine works faster than people can. We no longer have the struggle of trying to recruit people to do a job they don’t wish to do. And with its touchscreen control, operators like the way TOMRA’s machine is easy to set up and control.”


Kennedy’s Confection July 2022 19


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