Mettler-Toledo Product Inspection is pleased to announce the release of ProdX™ 2.7, the latest update to its pioneering data management software for product inspection. ProdX™ has been a cornerstone of quality control and data management for food manufacturers, seamlessly integrating with product inspection devices like checkweighing, metal detection, x-ray inspection and vision inspection systems.

ProdX™ software is designed to save manufacturers time and money by automating essential quality control processes. It monitors, reports and collates all product inspection activities in real-time, helping manufacturers support regulatory compliance and protect their brand through the safe storage of data. By analysing this data, production line improvements can be easily identified – boosting productivity and combating rising costs.

Designed with the evolving needs of food production lines in mind, ProdX™ 2.7 builds on the existing foundations and now offers significant advancements to improve operational efficiency, product quality and sustainability, while continuing to facilitate compliance with local and global regulations.

Key Updates in ProdX™ 2.7

ProdX™ 2.7 represents a major leap forward in the ongoing commitment from Mettler-Toledo to optimising product inspection processes for food manufacturers. This new version delivers key improvements to reporting, user management, device integration and operational transparency – enabling manufacturers to boost efficiency, reduce costs and achieve high levels of compliance and safety across production lines.

Notable enhancements introduced with ProdX™ 2.7 include:

Enhanced Dashboard and Monitoring Features: ProdX™ 2.7 now introduces dashboard charts that make it easier for operators to monitor device statuses and key performance indicators in real time. The user-friendly interface enables manufacturers to monitor multiple lanes simultaneously, thanks to multi-lane checkweigher statistics being displayed in a new table format for improved visibility.

Additionally, the web-based monitor now includes new “giveaway” and “individual” value charts, which provide more granular data insights for both single device and production line views.

Optimised Reporting Capabilities: One of the significant advancements in ProdX™ 2.7 is its expanded report automation. The new version allows users to generate custom reports with greater flexibility, and a new template has been added specifically for performance test results. The software also includes automated summary reports, offering an easy overview of compliance with food safety regulations, whether for individual shifts or broader production runs.

Extended User and Access Management: Increased transparency is a highlight of the new ProdX™ update. The software logs all user events, including successful and failed login attempts, changes to access rights and profile modifications. This added level of traceability not only strengthens data security but also simplifies compliance with auditing processes.

Greater Connectivity and Device Integration: ProdX™ 2.7 extends the commitment by Mettler-Toledo to seamless connectivity by enhancing the Open Platform Communication Unified Architecture (OPC UA) tags. The statistics have been enhanced with minimum and maximum individual weight tags and zone counters.

New Message Queuing System for Greater Efficiency: The migration to RabbitMQ message queuing system in ProdX™ 2.7 means faster and more scalable data handling, allowing the software to process a larger volume of messages without compromising performance. This upgrade addresses previous limitations, making the system more robust and capable of managing complex, data-heavy environments.

Supporting Business Growth and Cost Efficiency

With ProdX™ 2.7, Mettler-Toledo continues to support food manufacturers in their efforts to grow their businesses by enhancing data-driven decision-making. The software’s ability to automatically collect and archive inspection data means that critical information is always available for real-time analysis, empowering manufacturers to boost productivity, reduce operational costs and achieve compliance.

Peter Spring, ProdX™ Product Manager at Mettler-Toledo, comments: “ProdX™ 2.7 takes our software to the next level in terms of usability, connectivity and efficiency. It offers a range of new features that allow manufacturers to automate time-consuming tasks, improve the speed and accuracy of reporting and ultimately deliver a higher level of product safety and compliance. As food manufacturers face increasing demands for sustainability and efficiency, ProdX™ 2.7 provides the tools they need to meet these challenges head-on.”

For more information, click here or visit www.mt.com/prodx-pr

Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks delivers innovative solution for Bowman International

 

For Bowman International, a leading supplier, manufacturer, and distributor of plain bearings and sintered parts, success had created storage problems. Determined to make the most of its existing Abingdon facilities, the company turned to Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks’ warehousing specialists for a solution.

 

“Our specific requests were quite unique,” explains Bowman International Managing Director, Paul Mitchell. “We needed to use our cubic capacity to its full advantage. The problem was that by continuing to use our existing stacker with its limited lift height, we would be wasting valuable space. The alternatives were to either acquire an additional building or replace the stacker with an articulated forklift — both at considerable cost. Making that change also posed the risk of disruption because staff would be unfamiliar with how the equipment works.

 

“That’s when we called in Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks.”

 

After carefully assessing the situation, Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks came up with a cost-effective combination involving new racking and a bespoke stacker capable of working in very tight, 2.4m aisles and reaching heights of more than 7m. In doing so, this innovative solution maximised the potential storage space and freed up additional space for offices.

 

Rebecca Foggin, Sales Executive at the Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks distributor takes up the story. “Our engineers were able to configure a stacker with an exceptionally compact junior chassis. Importantly, the AXiA truck we recommended features a lithium-ion battery which not only cuts running costs but can be opportunity charged during breaks, ensuring non-stop availability.”

 

Summing up, Paul Mitchell said, “The change has proved extremely successful. We were initially concerned that the transition to the new model might slow down our operations, but the opposite was true. The new truck was an immediate success with operators, who love the smooth handling and highly responsive performance.

 

“Indeed, the solution delivered by Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks has been a success in every way, saving us the cost of acquiring an additional building plus all the associated overheads that would have been incurred.

 

“I’ve also been impressed by the ongoing support shown by the Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks team, who have arranged six-monthly visits to inspect the stacker and also provide any additional advice and assistance.”

 

Find out more

For more information on what Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks can do for your operations, call the Greenline 0845 371 3048, contact info@mitsubishi-forklift.co.uk or visit www.mitsubishi-forklift.co.uk.

Porky Whites is proud to add two all-new sausages to bolster its popular retail range. Taking inspiration from the rich, vibrant and complex flavours of Thailand and the spreadable pork salami from Calabria, the two products are now being stocked (as of 23rdSeptember 2024)  by Tesco.

 

More about our new products

Our all-new Turmeric and Coconut Pork Sausage (aka The Exotic Six) has a hint of sweet coconut and warming turmeric, giving these Thai-inspired sausages their distinctive moreish taste.

 

Our succulent Nduja-inspired sausage (aka The Italian Six) is as versatile as it is flavoursome. With a gentle heat and distinct colour, it’s a welcome addition to many a dish!

 

Commenting on the launch of the two new lines Porky Whites Managing Director Francesca Wyatt said, “We’re so excited to finally see these two new lines on shelf with Tesco. The feedback we’ve had from each tasting panel has been incredible and we think these are going to become firm favourites. Porky Whites has a long heritage for bringing new flavours and product innovations to the market. From our Signature Surrey Sausages with real hits of honey and lemon, to our Swedish-inspired meatball range which we launched early this year with Asda, we’re always on the lookout for the next big thing for our customers.”

 

These two new lines coincides with the launch of Porky Whites brand new retail sleeve artwork. Rolling out across the 9-strong retail range, the new look packs not only bring a pop of colour to supermarket shelves, but also some much-needed dinner inspiration. Thanks  to the front of pack plate shots and new QR codes on the reverse of pack, customers can get some dinner inspiration straight to their mobile devices!

 

Relevant links:

• Porky Whites Turmeric and Coconut Pork Sausages – https://www.porkywhites.co.uk/product/premium-pork-sausages-with-turmeric-and-coconut
• Porky Whites Nduja-Inspired Pork Sausage – https://www.porkywhites.co.uk/product/premium-nduja-inspired-pork-sausages
• Porky Whites Recipes – https://www.porkywhites.co.uk/recipes

Many food manufacturers still rely on outdated paper and spreadsheet-based processes to manage their compliance and quality systems.

This often leads to inefficiencies that can harm brand reputation, and more importantly, harm the customers.

Join us on Thursday, October 24, for an insightful webinar where we’ll explore how a dedicated smart compliance management system can transform how you approach and manage quality and compliance.

Discover how it can help you build a robust framework, streamline your operations, avoid common non-conformities, and create an audit-ready environment.

Don’t miss this opportunity to make compliance easier and more effective for your business!

• Date: Thursday, 24 October 2024
• Time: 10am EST / 3pm BST
• Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/851849274074622807

 

Brakes, the UK’s leading foodservice wholesaler, has launched a £1m campaign to reward independent businesses over the Christmas period.

 

The initiative is part of the company’s successful mybrakes rewards programme, which was launched in 2023 to offer customers a more personalised rewards experience, benefiting from cash rather than points. More than 14,000 Brakes customers have signed up for the programme, which offers rewards and cashback across the year that can also be redeemed for products or vouchers at the mybrakes rewards store.

 

Leading the giveaway is a Christmas promotion, which allows customers to receive up to £1,000 in cashback, as well as additional chances to win bonus cash prizes.

 

Brakes has also announced a second tranche of new products for Christmas, which will see more than 30 additional new products being launched in the run up to Christmas, adding to the 100 that have already been introduced.

 

Paul Nieduszynski, Sysco GB CEO, said: “We’ve listened to what customers want and created a campaign that offers them a significant cashback reward at a critical time. We believe that this is a real Christmas cracker of an offer which will appeal to customers, helping them to generate a significant return on anything they spend with us.

 

“It’s also great to see more innovation, with the new products we’re announcing today meaning that more than 130 new lines are available in our Christmas range. We pride ourselves on being the wholesaler driving innovation and helping customers to grow this festive period and beyond.”

Bidfood Scotland, one of Scotland’s leading foodservice providers, is delighted to announce that Jon Mack, Business Unit Director for Bidfood Scotland, has been appointed as the new Vice President of the Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA).

With over 30 years’ experience and established relationships within the Scottish wholesale sector, Jon is well placed to represent and serve all SWA members over what is hoped to be an exciting period.

Working closely with newly instated SWA President Tom Slaven, the pair will seek to champion Scottish wholesale, working closely with all members to keep on top of a continuously evolving political and economic landscape and ensure a successful future for the sector.

Jon Mack, Business Unit Director for Bidfood Scotland and Vice President of SWA said:

“After over 30 years in this marvellous industry, I am honoured to be taking on the incredibly important role of Vice President for the Scottish Wholesale Association.

“It’s a privilege to serve alongside such dedicated professionals, and I look forward to continuing our work to strengthen and support the wholesale sector throughout Scotland.”

Andrew Selley, CEO of Bidcorp UK commented:

“I am delighted for Jon to be appointed such a prestigious position, I have full confidence that he will become a real asset to the SWA, just like he has for Bidfood Scotland. There are few that can rival his experience and knowledge of Scottish wholesale and I look forward to seeing the success he will bring.”