Thai Industrial Gases, a division of the worldwide BOC gas processing company, has established spiral freezer manufacturing capabilities to serve Asian food processors.
The spiral freezer can freeze or chill up to two tons of processed poultry per hour and uses low amounts of carbon dioxide. The first Asian-built freezer was installed at Panus Poultry, one of the largest poultry exporters in Thailand, at the end of July. Panus Poultry exports its products mainly to the UK, Germany and other countries in Europe.
"BOC can now provide customers in Asia with locally built high quality, innovative technology. This is particularly important to us since Thailand and Malaysia have the potential to become an export base for the food freezing industry in South East Asia," said Theera Sayampipakdi, business director for TIG's Process Gas Solutions line of business.
Steve McCormick, BOC's global engineering director, food markets, commented: "Producing technology locally represents another milestone in the globalisation of BOC's capabilities in the food industry. Our ability to provide cost efficient products globally enables BOC to capitalise on new business opportunities and to serve our customers globally, no matter where they're located."
TIG is working with BOC's global food market sector and a local manufacturer, Lersak Stainless (Thailand), to fabricate the spiral freezer. Lersak has been selected as the main fabricator because they have the fabrication capabilities that meet BOC's stringent global standards.
Thai Industrial Gases (TIG) is the leading manufacturer and distributor of industrial and specialty gases in Thailand. It was established in 1970, employs more than 500 employees and has an annual turnover of Baht 3 billion (€72m).
Lersak Stainless specialises in engineering design and machinery, processing equipment for complete plants in various industries, including food and beverage.
The BOC Group is a worldwide industrial gases, vacuum technologies and distribution services company, serves two million customers in more than 50 countries. It employs some 43,000 people and had annual sales over €6 billion in 2001.