Choosing a turnkey manufacturing solution has its undeniable advantages when it comes to food processing expansions and equipment procurement projects. Rather than doing everything in-house — design, layouts, manufacturing, installation, training, support, many food processors are choosing to outsource part, or all of the project, to a single manufacturing company.

This does two things: alleviates the burden and risk of trying to complete a massive project in-house, and gives one the expertise beyond their own company and own industry to streamline the processing operation. In a turnkey project, the contractor provides all manufacturing and supply chain services, including design, fabrication, installation, aftermarket support, and technical service. In essence, the company outsources the design and manufacturing of a project to a third-party contractor who takes responsibility for the entire project, from design to completion and all the way to commissioning. But this doesn’t mean things are done independently, or that the beneficiary simply buys an off-the-shelf solution. Most often it is a tight collaboration between the two companies, resulting in a customized, complete design.

Valeria Lucinschi, business development manager, Kuipers, says the main solutions they deliver are turnkey. They believe this to be an important aspect of their technology as it gives them the opportunity to ensure efficient integration of various components within a line. In addition, she says, they aim to pre-test all their plants before shipment. Efficient pre-testing can only be done when a plant is delivered in turnkey execution.

“When it comes to potato processing, the main solutions we offer are chips and French fries. These include various types of chips such as kettle-style or hard bite and either frozen or chilled French fries. Various unique features are incorporated within our lines. Kuipers’ frying systems are without a doubt the main exclusive component, which contributes greatly to the quality of the end product as well as the overall efficiency within the line. A good fryer design combined with an effective process saves our clients huge costs by maintaining the frying oil turnover time low as well as the level of oil within the system,” Lucinschi explains. “A turnkey solution is essentially related to automation and automation means increased efficiency and a decrease in long-term costs. A processor should invest in a turnkey solution when they decide they wish to avail of these benefits,” she adds.

You can read the rest of this article in the Spring Issue of Potato Business Digital magazine, which you can access by clicking here.