Disposable Electronic temperature Indicator
Cold Chain Technologies has launched the KoolWatch — a highly
accurate, easy-to-use, compact, disposable electronic temperature monitor that
indicates whether a product has been maintained within critical temperature
parameters during shipment and storage. The KoolWatch has been designed to reliably
monitor the integrity of virtually any temperature-sensitive product. — Cold
Chain Technologies, 29 Everett Road, Holliston, Mass., 01746, phone: (508) 429-1395,
fax: (508) 429-9056, Web site: www.coldchaintech.com
Scale Terminal
The Mettler Toledo JAGXTREME™ Scale Terminal with
an integral Graphical Operator Interface for Harsh Environments (JXHG)
provides an intuitive, user-centered design interface to weighing
applications. The powerful, flexible, graphics-based system allows
customers to quickly and efficiently create user-friendly operator screens
tailored to specific applications. The 256-color graphic palette guides
users through various applications and simultaneous device operation,
reducing training time and potential errors. An extensive Mettler Toledo
library of objects allows for the graphical display of system information
using bar graphs, bitmaps and simple animation. — Mettler-Toledo Inc., 1900 Polaris Parkway, Columbus,
Ohio, 43240-4035, phone: (614) 438-4511, fax (614) 438-4900, Web site:
www.mt.com
Synthetic Labels
Fort Dearborn Co., a leading provider of high-impact
decorative labels for high-velocity consumer goods marketers, has answered
the call for faster cycle times and graphically enhanced labels in the
beverage industry. The ongoing shift from glass bottles and metal cans to
plastic containers — as well as the beverage industry’s focus
on consumer mobility — is spurring the growth of synthetic labels,
and Fort Dearborn is at the forefront of this trend. The coated, white
polypropylene film used for synthetic labels provides excellent printing
and converting performance. The labels are printed with Fort
Dearborn’s HiColour™ six-color printing process that delivers up
to 85 percent of PMS colors and is completely tailored to the needs of the
packaging industry. Printing in HiColour affords the option of combination
runs. — Fort Dearborn Co., 6035
Gross Point Road, Niles, Ill., 60714, phone: (773) 774-4321 Fax: (773)
774-9105, e-mail: info@fortdearborn.com, Web site: www.fortdearborn.com
Plastic-Bottle Fillers
Elopak is bringing a respected line of plastic-bottle
fillers and related equipment to the United States and Canada under an
exclusive agreement with Filmatic Packaging Systems (FPS). These systems
will be marketed under the Elofill brand. Elopak will provide sales,
technical service and spare parts for FPS bottle fillers, cappers,
unscramblers and rinsers. This broad line is well established around the
world with more than 2,600 installations, nearly 1,000 of which are in
dairies. A wide range of standard machines, fresh through ESL/ultra-clean,
can fill bottles as small as 4 ounces and larger than 1 gallon. Available
in various speeds, Elofill models can be provided with eight to 60 heads
with a design that can accommodate many different configurations. — Elopak Inc., 30000 S. Hill Road, New Hudson, Mich.,
48165-9350, phone: (248) 486-4600, fax: (248) 486-4601
Pick-and-Place Capper Series
Filler Specialties has introduced a new ACFS Pick and
Place Capper Series to its current extensive line of liquid fillers and
cappers. The new series model incorporates the company’s current
pick-and-place capper and is offered in both a new stand alone model and
monoblock filler and capper model. Features include the same
stainless-steel base and individually adjustable stainless-steel magnetic
clutches with quick-changeover capping heads. This rotary style,
gear-driven system with variable speed control is available in various
sizes to meet speeds from 50 to 600 bottles per minute and engineered to
handle even the most difficult container and cap combinations. — Filler Specialties Inc., 440 100th St.,
Zeeland, Mich., 49464, phone: (616) 772-9235, fax: (616) 772-9235, e-mail:
filler@filler-specialties.com, Web site: www.filler-specialties.com
Pressure Transmitter
In food and dairy pressure and level measurement
applications, it’s critical the device adhere to the latest 3A
standards for sanitary instrumentation. Viatran’s Model 363 is a gage
and absolute pressure transmitter with a Tri-clamp connection. The
all-welded, stainless-steel model provides maximum protection against
corrosion and high humidity. The flush diaphragm inhibits bacterial growth
and facilitates clean-in-place (CIP) systems. —
Viatran Corp., 300 Industrial Drive, Grand Island, N.Y., 14072, phone:
(716) 773-1700, (716) 773-2488, e-mail: solutions@viatran.com, Web site:
www.viatran.com
Powder Mixer
Fristam Pumps has introduced a new powder mixer for
high-performance blending of dry and wet ingredients into a fluid stream.
This efficient new mixing method incorporates a Fristam FZX liquid-ring
pump and FS shear blender into a system that pulls a consistent amount of
vacuum and maintains performance even as viscosity increases. — Fristam Pumps, 2410 Parview Road, Middleton, Wis.,
53562, phone: (608) 831-5001 or (800) 841-5001, fax: (608) 831-8467, Web
site: fristam.com
Two-Piece Dispensing Closures
Rexam Closures’ LLC-2 two-piece dispensing
closures provide customers with the ultimate dispensing convenience. The
closures feature a stay-back hinge for ease of pouring. When products are
dispensed, the closures’ orifices extend to pull the product back
into the package so there is no mess. The patented two-piece closures are
molded separately and then snapped together, providing a variety of
multi-color options for presenting a dynamic package on the store shelf.
The LCC-2 closure’s flush hinge and access-area design prevent
breakage during capping and handling while running through the capper like
a screw cap. In addition, the rugged, high-performance hinge is designed to
withstand the wear and tear of continuous opening and closing. — Rexam Closures & Containers, 3245 Kansas
Road, Evansville, Ind., 47725, phone: (812) 868-2228, fax: (812) 867-7802,
Web site: www.rexam.com/closures
Two-Position Micrometer
The new Two-Position Micrometer from Spray Dynamics
eliminates hand adjustments and the PLC changes the pump volume. Features
include a new automatic adjustment, a manual volume adjustment MSI pump and
an automatic volume adjustment MSI pump. Controls depend on existing model
and will need a quote. — Spray Dynamics
Ltd., 108 Bolte Lane, St. Clair, Mo., 63077, phone: (636) 629-7366, fax:
(636) 629-7455, e-mail: spray@usmo.com, Web site: www.spraydynamics.com
Custom Zipper
Zip-Pak® has developed a zipper to complement a
revolutionary new pouch-making technology that dramatically increases
production speeds for zippered stand-up pouches. The new Pouch King from
Cincinnati-based R.A. Jones & Co. Inc., combines Jones’
proprietary rotary sealing turret technology with Zip-Pak’s unique
press-to-close zipper to produce high-quality resealable stand-up pouches. — Zip-Pak, a division of ITW,1800 Sycamore Road,
Manteno, Ill., 60950, phone: (800) 488-6973
Close-Coupled Pump Drive
Waukesha Cherry-Burrell’s Tru-Fit™
close-coupled pump drive is designed to free up critical plant space,
resolve alignment issues and increase process productivity. With a 20 to 25
percent average reduction in overall pump length, Tru-Fit has a smaller
footprint than traditional coupled pumps and is available with a
right-angle gear reducer to conserve even more space. Tru-Fit’s
unique self-aligning shaft eliminates the need for couplings and guards as
well as the high-maintenance costs associated with shaft misalignment. The
pump drive’s maintenance-friendly adapter and compact and open base
design allows for easy cleaning. Unique features for Tru-Fit for the dairy,
beverage and food industries include more than 70 gear ratios for each
size, 1/5 to 60 horsepower motors, optional stainless-steel base and
three-bolt mounting to minimize pump change-out time. — Waukesha Cherry-Burrell, 611 Sugar Creek Road,
Delavan, Wis., 53115, phone: (262) 728-1900, fax: (262) 728-4904, Web site:
www.gowcb.com
Pressure Mini-Transmitter
Burkert introduces the Type 8311 Pressure
Mini-Transmitter, boasting a two-wire 4-20mA output and two transistor
switch outputs. In a single package, this intelligent unit offers
indication, monitoring, transmitting, continuous on/off control and
high/low alarm capabilities. It is designed for applications that include
pressure control, filter monitoring and pump dry-run protection. The Type
8311 employs two NPN or two PNP programmable transistor switch outputs
(open collector/700mA max). The menu-driven unit is programmed via a
three-key pad with critical data presented on an extra-large,
eight-character digital display that also incorporates a 10-segment bar
graph. The process value (4-20mA) is transmittable to a PLC. — Burkert, 21072 Bake Parkway, Suite 100, Lake
Forest, Calif., 92630, phone: (949) 837-7600, fax: (949) 837-7343
Modular Plastic Conveyor
Columbia Machine now uses Intralox® modular
plastic conveyor belting for palletizer discharge conveyors, providing a
more stable means for transporting unitized loads. Columbia’s design
engineers worked closely with Intralox to develop new style of conveyor,
which offers a less expensive alternative to slat conveyors and eliminates
the chordal action that can cause load degradation.
— Columbia Machine Inc., P.O. Box 8950,
Vancouver, Wash., 98668-8950, phone: (360) 694-1501, fax: (360) 690-4583,
e-mail: pallsales@colmac.com, Web site: www.palletizing.com
Corporate Management Software
The CSB-System software package has been tailored to
meet the specific requirements of the food and beverage industry while
allowing for adequate room for growth and future enhancements. The modular
approach allows the software to be easily integrated into any existing IT
structure. The combination of all available standard modules —
including Enterprise Resource Planning, Production Planning and Control,
Automated Data Capture and Computer Integrated Manufacturing — yields
a high-performance corporate management system. Advantages of CSB-System
include maximized growth potential, flexible material planning and capacity
resources and paperless HACCP. CSB-System also offers solutions for
accounting and finance, human resources and customer relationship
management. — CSB-System International, 3131 Camino del Rio North,
Suite 580, San Diego, Calif., 92108, phone: (800) 852-9977 or (619)
640-0436, fax: (800) 851-6299 or (619) 640-0476, e-mail:
contactus@csb-system.com, Web site: www.csb-system.com
Product Catalog
Action Instruments, part of Eurotherm Inc., a leading
supplier of industrial instrumentation for process control and data
acquisition products and unit of Invensys plc, has published a new
short-form catalog covering the company’s line of signal
conditioners, limit alarms, field transmitters and other industrial process
instruments. The catalog includes the newly released Ultra SlimPak II line
of DIN rail-mount signal conditioners. A new product selector guide has
been included to aid engineers in locating products they need. For a copy
of the catalog, contact Eurotherm at (703) 669-1324, e-mail
info@eurotherm.com or download a copy at www.actionio.com. — Action Instruments, 741-F Miller Drive, Leesburg,
Va., 20175-8993, phone: (703) 443-0000, fax: (703) 669-1300
Industrial Refrigeration Compressor
Mycom’s I-Series Compressor, currently available
in 160 mm rotor diameter and 180 mm rotor length, is designed to operate
with anhydrous ammonia or R-22. Features of industrial refrigeration
compressors include D-flange motor mounting, CP-iP control panel,
efficient design for variable frequency drive system, no oil pump required,
oil filtration system, integral strainer, capacity control, volumetric
ratio, oil cooling and bearings. —
Mycom, 16825 I.H. 35 North, Selma, Texas, 78154, phone: (888) 886-9266, Web
site: www.mycomus.com
Superformer/Case Erector
The newly designed OK Superformer meets tough U.S.
flexibility requirements with a simple and easy-to-use case erector. One of
the most advanced case erectors on the market, it forms up to 16 cases per
minute. The OK Superformer is a complete machine as standard. Some of the
standard specifications included automatic box squaring, low taper or box
alarm, one turn of a handle to change four adjustments points and
stainless-steel construction. — O/K
International Corp., 73 Bartlett St., Marlborough, Mass., 01752, phone:
(508) 303-8286, fax: (508) 303-8207, Web site: www.okcorp.com
Variegate Feeder
Rich caramel, fudge and jam are popular ingredients in
ice cream. With the new Hoyer Addus VF 1000 F variegate feeder from Tetra
Pak Hoyer, the addition of such high-viscosity ingredients is more
cost-efficient. The Hoyer Addus VF 1000 F hopper is suspended on weighing
cells and the control system is similar to the Hoyer Addus FF Fruit Feeder.
Production parameters are constantly displayed and can be stored in the
computer memory for next production run of the same product. The
3-A-approved pump provides a constant, non-pulsating flow, ensuring a high
level of dosing accuracy and uniform product appearance over time. — Tetra Pak Hoyer Inc., 753 Geneva Parkway, Lake
Geneva, Wis., 53147, phone: (262) 249-7400, fax: (262) 249-7500, e-mail:
hoyerusa@tetrapakhoyer.com, Web site: www.tetrapakhoyer.com
Conveyor Chain Buyers Kit
KVP now offers a conveyor Chain Buyer’s Kit that
provides everything needed to select from the company’s full line of
RAM plastic and steel flat top, snap-on, multi-flex, gripper and case
conveyor chains. The kit also covers KVP’s 40P and 60P flat top
plastic roller chains. The boxed “kit” includes a full line
chain catalog, chain manufacturer cross-reference information and
KVP’s new volume-based price list. —
KVP, a subsidiary of Summa Industries, 1036A MacArthur Road, Reading,
Pa., 19605, phone: (610) 373-1400 or (800) 445-7898, fax: (610) 373-7448,
e-mail: info@kvp-inc, Web site: www.kvpfalcon.com
Continuous Motion Filling and Sealing Systems
Autoprod addresses high-speed product handling
concerns with its new continuous motion filling and sealing system for
preformed containers. Suitable for all types of food products including
beverages, yogurts, desserts, entrees and HMR meals, the new system also
takes advantage of Autoprod’s new frame design. This system features
an integrated servo-controlled CIP/SIP piston filling system but can be
supplied with most any other type of filler including scales, volumetric
pocket or vibratory. The continuous motion feature allows processors to
fill products of lower viscosity at high speeds while allowing smaller
headspace in the container. — Autoprod
Inc., 5355 115th Ave. North, Clearwater, Fla., 33760, phone: (727)
572-7753, e-mail: sales@autoprodinc.com, Web site: www.autoprodinc.com
Pneumatic Valve Manifold System
Rexroth has developed a pneumatic valve manifold
system for wash-down applications. Clean Line Series CL03 features a
hygienic design and high protection class. The Series CL03 valve system has
an IP69K protection class rating for high-pressure wash down as high as
1450 psi. Benefits include improved system performance because valves are
mounted closer to the actuators. With a high flow of up to 0.85Cv, the
valves can perform many tasks. Options include multi-pin connection or
serial communication for major protocols, which allow the use of Rexroth
advanced diagnostic capabilities. The CL03 consists of individual subbases
in inch or ISO-G ports, and the system can be expanded up to 16 valves in
single-valve increments. Since each valve can be individually supplied with
two different pressures, one valve system can handle up to 32 different
pressures. — Bosch Rexroth Corp., 5150
Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates, Ill., 60192-3707, phone: (847)
645-3600, Web site: www.boschrexroth-us.com
Dosing Pump with Internet I/O Screen
Seepex progressive cavity pumps are available in
packaged skids designed to eliminate the time and costs associated with
engineering, procuring, assembling and commissioning flow-control systems.
Flows range from 1cc/min to 20gpm on standard skids and 1000:1
constant-torque turndown is now available through advanced AC motor
technology. The skids can deliver thin to highly viscous liquids as well as
corrosive and solid-laden chemicals. —
Seepex Inc., 511 Speedway Drive, Enon, Ohio, 45323, phone: (937) 864-7150,
fax: (937) 864-7157, e-mail: sales@seepex.net, Web site: www.seepex.com
Bulk Containers
Meese Orbitron Dunne’s heavy-duty Ship Shape bulk
containers safely stack up to three high when filled and covered and nest
empty up to seven high without locking to maximize available space between
the top rack and ceiling. Rotationally molded from durable polyethylene in
a single piece, the rigid Ship Shape containers accommodate up to 1,500
pounds each, permitting taller, more secure stack heights and the use of
additional rack levels than are possible with wooden pallets. Available in
seven different designs with capacities ranging from 32 to 40 cubic feet
with two- or four-way lift access. Ship Shape containers are weatherproof
and resist heat and cold, enabling shipping and storage of dry, bulk
chemicals and pharmaceuticals, plastic resins, automotive and machinery
components, scrap and recyclable materials and other non-regulated
products. — Meese Orbitron Dunne
Co., 4920 State Road, P.O. Box 607, Ashtabula, Ohio, 44004, (800) 772-7659,
(440) 998-1202, fax: (440) 992-4667, Web site: www.modroto.com
Listeria Detection Plate
Designed for use in food processing plants, the 3M™
Petrifilm™ Environmental Listeria Plate method is faster, easier and
more informative than current methods of Listeria detection. This
easy-to-use method delivers results within 31 hours of sampling and
provides three powerful ways to interpret results. The new plates require
no enrichment, making them a safer method for testing. Other methods such
as chromogenic agars and immunoassay tests can take more time and may
require more steps. — 3M Microbiology, 3M Center, Bldg. 275-5W-05,
P.O. Box 33275, St. Paul, Minn., 55133-3275, phone: (651) 733-1213, fax:
(651) 737-1994, e-mail: microbiology@mmm.com, Web site:
www.3m.com/microbiology
Electric Valves
Valco has introduced 300-Series electric valves in a
15-millimeter-wide package. With advanced solenoid technology, the
300-Series valves are capable of applying extremely short patterns at high
machine speeds, according to the company. An adjustable stroke version is
also available to enhance dotting performance. Valco's purge switch is
located on the front of the valve and the nozzle size is clearly imprinted
on the outside of the tip. The valve is fully sealed with an 18-inch cable
for immersion in water for cleaning. A lightweight plunger features a
carbide ball seating on a ceramic nozzle tip for a longer lifecycle. The
300-Series valve is suited for applications in the envelope, mailer and
folding carton industries as well as other high-speed graphics and
paper-converting uses. — Valco
Cincinnati, 411 Circle Freeway Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45246, phone: (513)
874-6550, Web site: www.valcocincinnatiinc.com
Melt Phase Forming Technology
By combining the distinct advantages of both
traditional thermoforming and blow molding, PBM Plastics’ patented
new Melt-Phase forming technology is creating previously unheard of shapes
and capabilities for use by plastics engineers. The new process creates
containers that can be thinner, with deeper draws, seamless walls and
precision flanges — all with a variety of materials that offer
engineers heat-resistant and chemical-resistant capabilities and more. — PBM Plastics, 240 Enterprise Drive, Newport News,
Va., 23603, phone: (757) 888-6800, fax: (757) 888-6373, Web site:
www.pbmplastics.com
New Conveyor Option
Multivac’s new QuickLoad™ conveyor option
for the B500 belted chamber machine is easy to use and requires only one
person to operate. Other benefits include a variety of seal heights,
hygienic design, adjustable speeds and a built-in self-diagnostic backup
system to prevent the negative effect of breakdowns. — Multivac Inc., 11021 N.W. Pomona Ave., Kansas City, Mo.,
64153, phone: (816) 891-0555, fax: (816) 891-0622, Web site:
www.multivac.com
Tethered Tag Readers
Psion Teklogix now offers 900 MHz, class 0 (read only)
and class 1 (read and write) RFID tethered tag readers that operate with
the company’s line of rugged mobile computing devices. The new RFID
tethered readers provide Psion Teklogix customers with an RFID device that
they can use to meet compliance requirements from Wal-Mart and the
Department of Defense. — Psion
Teklogix Inc., 2100 Meadowvale Blvd., Mississauga, Ontario L5N 7J9, Canada,
phone: (905) 812-6382, e-mail: ptinfo@psion.com
High-Performance Food Machinery Greases
Food processors can operate critical application
equipment for extended periods of time without significant wear and damage
with Anderol’s high-performance food machinery greases. Anderol®
783 is designed with synthetic base fluids and advanced anti-wear
chemistries to reduce equipment friction and overall operating
temperatures. Even in extreme temperature and pressure applications,
Anderol 783 doesn’t soften or evaporate, which extends lubrication
cycles, reduces equipment wear and minimizes maintenance costs.
Anderol’s grease products are based on white oils such as the PQ®
40 AA and PQ® AA series. White-oil-based food machinery greases have
been formulated with advanced anti-wear chemistries to reduce equipment
friction and overall operating temperatures. All Anderol greases are rust
and oxidation inhibited to preserve the life and performance of critical
application equipment including bearings, gears, hinges, packings, slicers
and valves. — Anderol Inc., 215 Merry
Lane, P.O. Box 518, East Hanover, N.J., 07936, phone: (973) 887-7410 or
(888) 263-3765, fax: (973) 887-6930, e-mail: info@anderol.com, Web site:
www.anderol.nl
New Logistics Services
High Plains Freezer Services now offers new technology
that gets trucks with palletized loads turned around in just an hour versus
the two hours that trucking companies allow. This not only avoids detention
charges but, in some cases, also provides rebates to shippers. Other
new services include a consolidated pool program to Colorado, New Mexico,
Nebraska and Utah for LTL shipments. —
High Plains Freezer Services Inc., 575 Snowy Range Road, P.O. Box 1470,
Laramie, Wyo., 82073, phone: (307) 742-6649, fax: (307) 742-4856, e-mail:
info@highplainsfreezer.com, Web site: www.highplainsfreezer.com
Grease for Food-Grade Applications
With a unique combination of an aluminum complex
thickener, white lubricating solids and other additives, Molykote®
White Bearing Grease reduces friction, prevents metal-to-metal contact and
minimizes wear in food-grade applications, even under high-surface
pressures and marginal lubrication conditions. Because the raw materials
have been selected to be used in mechanisms where incidental contact with
foodstuffs or pharmaceutical products are possible, Molykote White Bearing
Grease can be used as lubrication in dairies, beverage, meat processing and
pharmaceutical plants; process machinery; and canneries. The grease has
been reformulated and meets FSA Regulations 21 CFR 178.3570 and USDA H1
classification and is available in NLGI consistency class 2. Molykote White
Bearing Grease has a service temperature range of 1 to 302 degrees F and a
drop point of 518 degrees F. It can be applied by hand packing,
hand-operated grease guns, automatic greasing equipment and central
lubricating systems. When stored at or below 90 degrees in the original
unopened containers, the grease has a 60-month usable life from the
production date. — Dow Corning
Corp., Box 0994, Midland, Mich., 48686, phone: (517) 496-6000, Web site:
www.dowcorning.com
Remote Process Monitoring
The Visulex Ex Camera system is specifically designed
for observing and inspecting processing operations, even in
explosion-hazard locations. With L.J. Star’s integrated ISO 9001
video system, images can be directly viewed or downloaded to a PC for
further analysis. The Visulex camera mounts on any DIN 28120 or similar
sight glass, in an overhead observation location, in either new or retrofit
applications. — L.J. Star Inc.,
P.O. Box 1116, Twinsburg, Ohio, 44087, phone: (330) 405-3040, fax: (330)
405-3070, Web site: www.ljstar.com
Partners in Progress
Combined Efforts
Combined Efforts
Johnson Truck Bodies teams up with Oberweis Dairy
to build new standard in refrigerated home-delivery trucks.
To ensure the “clinking” sound from the
glass milk bottles in their new retail home dairy delivery trucks would be
“profitable music,” North Aurora, Ill.-based Oberweis Dairy was
very specific in outlining its needs. The new trucks had to be designed for
maximum driver comfort and safety, durability and longevity.
As late as 2001, there were those who thought the
milkman would forever remain a memory and younger generations would never
know home milk delivery. There was solid rationale for such thinking. Home
milk delivery had been dying since the 1970s. Americans were drinking less
milk and supermarkets were selling milk as a loss leader. The well-known
Divco truck responsible for the home milk delivery grunt work in the 1940s
and ’50s ceased production in 1986. Rice Lake, Wis.-based Johnson
Truck Bodies had stopped production of their delivery truck in the early
1970s.
But as other dairies discontinued home delivery,
Oberweis saw opportunity. “In late 2002, we were continuing to
experience exploding growth in our retail division as consumers wanted the
convenience of the best milk and ice cream delivered right to their
door,” says Michael McCarthy, vice president of route sales for
Oberweis. “We were running 13 percent sales over 2001 with 30,000
deliveries a week. With an aging fleet and a determination to continue to
grow and reach new markets, I had to secure relationships with truck
vendors to make sure I had trucks to cover our future needs.”
While home delivery is still only a very small portion
of the multi-billion dollar U.S. milk market, it is making a comeback and
growing. Hectic modern lives and young parents living in the suburbs are
major reasons. In fact, toddlers are one of the keys to a milk
route’s success.
Oberweis currently has 45,000 home delivery customers.
Based on the territory, a driver can have as few as 100 to as many as 220
customers a day. “One of our biggest advantages is the double-runs we
ask of our home delivery trucks. This allows us to serve twice the
customers with half the vehicles, hence our requirement for exceptional
truck longevity and durability,” says McCarthy. “And it is why
I assigned our lead mechanic the task of improving the quality and design
of the home delivery milk truck we use today. Although there were truck
body vendors who wanted our business, only Johnson Truck Bodies stepped up
to the plate with a willingness to do the special fabrication needed for
our truck cabs.”
Johnson was up to the task. “Oberweis was very
specific in outlining the needs and demands that would be put on their
trucks as they significantly push the envelope by having their trucks do
double runs during a 20-hour day, five days a week,” says Greg
LaFrance, Johnson’s director sales and marketing. “And since a
success key to the growing demand for home delivery is its nostalgic
element, a specific Oberweis requirement was that the new trucks had to
visually represent the nostalgic milk trucks of the 1940s and ’50s.
“The refrigerated body utilizes seamless,
fiberglass construction for both interior and exterior. To meet the special
custom cab enclosure requirements, the refrigerated body is married to an
International 4300 Series chassis. The cab permits full stand-up access to
the refrigerated body through an easy slide bulkhead door, and quick and
easy exit/entry for customer delivery through a full-glass, one-piece,
stand-up curbside door.”
Now that Oberweis has taken delivery of its first new
home-delivery milk trucks, the dairy is thrilled with the quality, says
McCarthy. “The fiberglass bodies are seamless with no rivets. This
makes them great for decal application. More importantly, Johnson bodies
are 20-plus percent more thermal efficient than regular metal boxes,”
he says. “I have since ordered one more truck and can see the need
for more over the next two years as the future growth in home delivery will
in large part be due to entering new markets.”
Adds LaFrance: “With Oberweis’s guidance,
it is safe to say we have a truck that can meet refrigerated home retail
delivery requirements in any North American city.” — Johnson Truck Bodies, a Carlisle Company, 215 E.
Allen St., Rice Lake, Wis., 54868, phone: (715) 234-7071 or (800) 922-8360,
fax: (715) 234-4628, Web site: www.johnsontruckbodies.com
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