How flexible powder handling, processing boost production, according to Matcon

Shambrae Starr is a Matcon regional sales manager.

Matcon powder-handling solutions are available in Canada through Firing Industries Ltd. The manufacturer knows that consumers want tailor-made products delivered quickly, which makes flexibility a significant demand in manufacturing processes. A recent webinar by Matcon regional sales manager Shambrae Starr explains how organizations in the food-processing, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industries can evolve and adapt production methods to meet customer demand quickly and remain competitive – with flexible powder handling and processing.

Principles of lean manufacturing

According to Starr, it is possible to have flexibility while increasing production, with the assistance of intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) from Matcon. IBCs solve these issues through parallel processing and follow the principles of lean manufacturing. Parallel processing decouples production steps so that formulation, blending, packing, and cleaning occur at the same time, optimizing productive work hours in overall operation.

It is tough and time-consuming to clean fixed powder mixers and blenders between recipe changeovers, especially if the recipe involves different liquids or allergens. Recent advancements in IBC tumble-blender technology enable the use of IBCs to change between recipes quickly, add liquids to blends, and lower the risk of allergen cross-contamination with better containment in a more flexible powder handling process.

Available to view at this link, Starr’s webinar You CAN Have Flexibility AND Increase Production is perfect for businesses that face short lead times and small order sizes daily or that want to grow their market shares. Among the topics are how to decouple process steps for parallel processing, how to minimize downtime between product changeovers, how to create a lean manufacturing system that responds to client demands on short lead times without increasing cost, the benefits of a de-coupled powder-handling system, getting beyond parallel processing and IBCs, and maintaining recipe batch integrity. Starr illustrates how flexible powder handling and processing can increase production.

Currently covering sales in the Midwest United States, Northern California, and Canada, Starr has represented companies directly or as a manufacturer’s rep in packaging, palletizing, conveying, mixing, pneumatic conveying, and dust collection. Firing Industries supplies Matcon IBCs.

To learn more, contact Firing Industries’ application-sales engineers at ddubuc@firing.com or (877) 688-0974.

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