In the potato storage and processing sectors, where the intense competition means that fine margins can make a large difference, user control panels and systems are a valuable addition to their specific processes, as well as in the fast-moving consumer foods sector more generally.

Control panels and systems can monitor and reply to processes and equipment across high volumes of product, performing consistently throughout long processes and offering a very cost-effective solution to the problem of monitoring and controlling many different metrics within the potato storage and processing sectors.

With the increasing processed potato demand, there has been a greater need for control and monitoring during the production process. With many producers selling to large retail chains, that operate on a large volume/small margin basis, details can make a real difference to the overall profitability and quality of the output of processed potatoes production lines.

One of the main purposes of control panels and systems within these specific food storing and processing industries is the maintenance of different values within certain limits. To ensure consistency and quality of output, guaranteeing that certain metrics are maintained within a specified range can be very important to the overall effectiveness of the process. This could be anything from temperature to the volume of frying oil within a controlled tank.

Responsive Control Panels

With highly responsive sensors sending information to the main hub of the control panel, the panel can then respond by controlling the necessary equipment to bring the deviation back within the specified limits for that process.

Control panels can be constructed to be compatible with the equipment required within the potato storage and processing industries. This implies that they can effectively control these values across several different processes, making them particularly valuable assets for ensuring quality is maintained across a large product output.

Together with controlling the processes of manufacturing food products, control panels also have a role to play in prolonging the life of the stored spuds and processed potatoes themselves. Their capacity to monitor and control equipment can also be effectively used in auditing temperature in storage and food warehouses. Controlling temperature through control panels, whether it is to maintain high or low-temperature conditions, is important in keeping products fresh and cool without the additional use of preservatives with products, which can affect the taste and require the introduction of chemical solutions to products.

Similarly, high temperatures are often required in the process of sterilization. This is also very important to ensure high standards of hygiene in the potato processing industry, with a great deal of regulation around the sterility of manufacturing equipment used in its production processes.

You can read the rest of this article in your complimentary e-copy of Issue 1 of Potato Business Dossier 2022, which you can access by clicking here.