The British food processing equipment manufacturer has signed a deal with the family-owned European firm, which included commissioning a high accuracy seasoning system at Unismack’s bakery facility in Kilkis in northern Greece.
The partnership has already been integral in supporting the Greek company’s UK launch of its new Wellaby’s ‘Simple Bakes’ line of gluten free snacks.
The new equipment will include a vibratory product infeed conveyor with a continuous, airless oil applicator to aid dry seasoning adherence.
A screw feeder and scarf feeder have been added for dry seasoning, while a stainless steel seasoning drum has been specially designed to ensure product is homogenously seasoned while keeping product breakage to a minimum.
A vibratory product discharge conveyor has been fitted with screens to remove crumbs prior to packaging and the whole system’s throughput is around 250 kg per hour.
Trevor Howard, managing director of Fabcon explained the new system removes the need to add seasoning to raw dough batches before baking, which can lead to flavour loss in the finished product.
“Seasoning can now be added continuously to any product, easily and effectively,” he said.
Dimitrios Stratakis, MD of Unismack, added, “It’s another milestone for our company, especially as we look to make more inroads into the UK food sector.”
Simple Bakes – launched in the UK in 2016 – contain no gluten, nut, eggs or dairy and are lower in calories and fat than potato crisps. The snacks are available to retailers and wholesalers in a range of flavours, including Pinch of Sea Salt & Pepper, Spicy Chilli and Smoky BBQ. Each 120g bag has an RRP of £1.79 ($2.39).
Fabcon Food Systems – founded in 2015 – manufactures handling and processing equipment at its Norwich factory for customers in the UK, mainland Europe, the Middle East, Australia and Africa.