Pinguin Foods is a leading, international processor of harvest fresh vegetables priding itself on delivering fresh to frozen produce that are tasty, healthy, and of the highest quality. Pinguin is an independent division of the major European Food Group, Greenyard Foods, which processes over 440,000 tons of product annually over eleven production sites. However, moving food from fresh to frozen requires solids handling that is reliable, efficient, and fast. Hidrostal Ltd., the UK distributor for the major Swiss pump manufacturer, has provided an international processor of fresh to frozen vegetables with the perfect pump for passing peas.
MOVING FROM FIELD TO FORK
At Pinguin’s site in Boston Lincolnshire, the company utilizes a field to fork approach that encompasses the washing, de-stoning, separation, blanching, and freezing of raw vegetables. Hidrostal’s “F” type pumps, ideally suited for food processing, are employed to transfer the field harvested peas directly with the use of recycled mains water as the motive media.
Pea season typically runs from June until August where the produce is being transferred at a rate of up to 11 tons per hour per line during this period. The process involves peas picked fresh from the fields which are then put through an ongoing process to remove, silt, stones, soil, and loose pods and skins before entering the blanching and freezing process.
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Featured Image: Pea processing at Pinguin
Above: Pinguin’s food processing involves washing, de-stoning, separation, blanching, and freezing of raw vegetables.
KEEP IT MOVING, KEEP IT CLEAN
This solution allows the vegetable produce to be pumped and piped to its destination in favor of an open belt conveyor system, which under these open environment circumstances would be susceptible to contamination, debris, and product loss. In addition it has the added benefit of allowing Pinguin to retain the main road through its premises and not affect the traffic and transport of product across its yard.
The Hidrostal pumped option was selected due to its proven ability to handle and transfer delicate product with zero damage due to its low velocity and low shear design hydraulics while retaining optimum efficiency and maximum energy saving.
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MORE THAN JUST PEAS
After pea season the same pumps are then used to transfer cauliflower and broccoli florets with the same level of output and accuracy. These pumps are critical to the successful continuation of the entire production cycle.
Both the client and the manufacturer are delighted that their pumps have functioned so well for Pinguin and ensured the safe and speedy processing of peas from production to our plates. ◆
For more than thirty years, Hidrostal Ltd. has been at the forefront of designing and delivering innovative pump solutions that deliver real benefits to business. For more information, contact Lucy Ogden at Hidrostal Ltd. via email at lucy.ogden@hidrostal.co.uk or visit www.hidrostal.co.uk.

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MODERN PUMPING TODAY, October 2015
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