Cranberry harvest partner

THE COLOURS of autumn over a bright sea of red bring thousands of people to Wisconsin in the United States, to celebrate the annual cranberry harvest and experience a unique manufacturing process that starts with bog harvesting.

Cranberries are grown in the U.S., Canada and Chile, and exports of the popular fruit are growing. Wisconsin is the top cranberry-producing state in the US, turning out more than half of the world’s supply. In 2013, about 4.8 million barrels of cranberries were produced, and this was the largest crop on record. Considered one of the fastest developing food markets, cranberry exports have soared in recent years, and 25% of the US supply is sold internationally.

Badger State Fruit Processing

Wood County is the heart of cranberry country in central Wisconsin. This is where processors like Mariani Packing Company and Ocean Spray produce a variety of cranberry products, including the cranberry raisin often known as the popular brand ‘Craisin’. Pittsville is the home of Badger State Fruit Processing, the largest marsh grower in the state, owned and operated by Butch Gardener. For years, Mr Gardener has trucked the tiny berries in and out of plants for processing, and he knows the Other features eliminate laminations and enclosed hollow bodies that can harbor bacteria. Scalloped flat bars are continuously welded, replacing skip welding. The new plate frame replaces traditional tube frames and elastomer isolators replace coil spring isolators that can trap product and rust. The new isolator-brackets feature an “easy slide out” capability that enables the processor to remove isolators during maintenance without a forklift. The new internal ground arm replaces a traditional ground strap that is prone to breakage and can cause product to hang up. Equipment stickers, which can flake and fall into product zones, are eliminated.

Key’s Standard Utility Shakers, which include all of these hygienic improvements, are available in two sizes, 61 cm and 91 cm wide, both 1.8 metres, and with or without screens. The model 2472 offers 10 0.93 sqm of screen area and the model 3672 offers 1.4 sqm of screen area. These standard shakers feature geometry that enables multiple shakers to be nested in a line, maximising the versatility of the two standard shakers to meet the needs of each application. The shakers with screens include drip pans to capture water or fines. Key offers customised Utility Shakers in other sizes and configurations.

The Iso-Flo conveyors, including the Standard Utility Shakers, are backed by Key’s five-year warranty that assures equipment reliability whilst limiting the processor’s total cost of ownership.