Thermo Fisher Scientific program accelerates checkweigher delivery

Critical needs include time issues ranging from crisis response recalls, preventing underweight product recalls and production disruptions due to equipment failure, said the firm. 

The rapid delivery program, launched in North America and Europe, removes the need for food processing facilities to find a used checkweigher or borrow one from a different manufacturing line. 

Half the time of industry standard ​ 

The program lets food processing facilities take delivery of a configured checkweigher in four weeks instead of the eight to twelve weeks common industry-wide. 

For the North American market the VersaWeigh is available in 12 configurations and four belt widths ranging from 100mm to 400mm. 

The Versa GP is available in four configurations in belt widths up to 200mm in Europe. 

Volkert Jan Hage, product manager of checkweighers at Thermo Fisher told FoodProductionDaily.com that food industry accuracy, safety and quality initiatives continue to grow. 

“The checkweigher is a critical “tool” processors use to support those objectives.  ​ ​

“As such, Thermo Fisher Scientific developed the quick delivery program to help processors get the checkweighing function back up and running faster than ever before.  ​

“The program is designed to assist urgent production needs, including cases where a checkweigher is not currently in place and has been suddenly mandated by the processor’s customer​.” 

It is an ideal tool when the need for a checkweigher is determined, added Jan Hage. 

“[It] allows for delivery of the equipment in less than half the time compared to the industry standard​.” 

Current challenges ​

When asked about current challenges for food processors, Jan Hage said it depends on the quality control system they have. 

“It often means they have to do manual sampling several times each hour, which is labour intensive and expensive. ​ ​

“If products of inadequate weight are being shipped, the food processor could receive complaints and could be fined.”​ 

Launched under the YES! Banner, the program aims to minimize the impact of production line shutdowns or startup delays due to checkweigher supply issues.  

He also explained about Thermo Fisher Scientific’s service that addresses products quarantined due to a potential recall. 

“It is called the Product Assurance Services & Solutions (PASS) program. ​ ​

“We remove questionable-weight products from the plant and test them offsite so that production can continue uninterrupted​.”