Scelta Products B.V. choose GEA EasyFry XL for onion ring production
About the company
Scelta Products was set up in 2000 by the current directors/owners Jos Koster and Wilco Boone and has since grown to become a leading producer of frozen healthy snacks, such as coated pre-cooked mushrooms, coated onion rings, cauliflower, broccoli and other vegetables that are exported worldwide. As an innovative company keen to grow, they are constantly looking for ways to add value to the products. The acquisition of onion ring producer Rieber & Son Kruiningen in 2009 left the company with two production locations within a radius of 5 kilometers. So in 2011, the decision was taken to bring these two together into a single new factory to be able to work more efficiently and to provide space for future growth. In October 2012, Scelta opened this new future-oriented factory that was built to meet today’s highest quality requirements.
Staying ahead in competitive markets means innovating with new products. Scelta Products B.V. is a company that based its growth on innovation and partnership with reliable suppliers. When they wanted to expand their ‘added-value’ product range to include onion rings, they selected the GEA EasyFry XL for frying these products.
More than just a fryer
So in 2011 when the company decided to build a new facility with extra space for expansion, a bigger fryer was one of the priorities. They had plans to expand the production with coated onion rings, and needed a much higher capacity line. When asked why they choose the EasyFry XL, Wilco Boone of Scelta Products B.V. added, “The double scraping system of the EasyFry works extremely well, and keeps the oil quality high. Another benefit is the polished frames which we ordered as an option. I think this has reduced the cleaning time by at least 50%. This was certainly worthwhile for us. The fryer runs two shifts a day and is cleaned weekly." Wilco Boone continues, “I’m convinced there are other good fryers in the market. But GEA delivers more than just a fryer. They have very good after sales, the technical support is excellent and in case of unexpected down-time, they are very fast with the supply of spare parts and this is very important for us. Time is money!”
“The double scraping system of the EasyFry works extremely well, and keeps the oil quality high.”
Here, processes and recipes were developed and refined. Another addition to the range is the onion bhaji. Wilco again, “In our range, we have also introduced the Indian delicacy onion bhaji, a new product for us. Because we had the opportunity to test this application in the GEA Technology Center in Bakel first, we were able to make a good choice for this investment.” The company’s future growth will come from new and innovative products, so it is important to have a supplier who not only has the equipment to realize these products but one that also acts as
a partner in developing them and has the facilities to try out products before investing in the equipment. The last word goes to Wilco, “I’m convinced there is a future for GEA and Scelta. In our current production area we have space for a third line and I feel GEA can certainly play a role in this.”
“Another benefit is the polished frames which we ordered as an option. I think this has reduced the cleaning time by at least 50%.”
Excellent after sales and technical support
Despite also looking at competitors’ fryers, some of which had lower purchase price, Scelta eventually selected the GEA EasyFry XL, in the 9000/1050 execution, which is nine meters long with a one meter (net) wide belt. This fryer enabled the onion ring production line to boost production from 1500 to 2500 kilograms per hour, an increase of over 60%. The new factory was opened in 2012, and the new line is up and running. Wilco explains why he selected GEA as a supplier, “Our experience with the first EasyFry is good. We get excellent after-sales support, the technical support is great and spare parts are delivered fast, an important consideration for us”.
“GEA delivers more than just a fryer. They have very good after sales, the technical support is excellent and in case of unexpected down-time, they are very fast with the supply of spare parts and this is very important for us. Time is money!”
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