How we helped a major food & beverage company boost their bottom line
November 4, 2019
3 MIN READ
When one fix can solve multiple operational problems, it's a winning situation for everyone involved. And that was precisely the situation when Leybold presented its SCREWLINE dry screw vacuum to an end user at one of the largest food and beverage processors in the world.
The problem
At the time, the customer had been overspending on maintenance for its outdated oil-sealed pumps. They were paying not only for monthly oil changes, including costly oil disposal, but also for extensive repairs involving spare parts that were difficult to obtain.
Related: Check out these 5 Vacuum Pump Maintenance Tips to Optimize Productivity.
The solution
The Leybold team showed the client how dry vacuum pumps could reduce maintenance overspending by eliminating the need for monthly oil changes and updating their vacuum packaging system. We demonstrated that this updated technology would also allow them to reduce their downtime, thus increasing production levels and raising revenue potential.
Related: See how much switching to dry vacuum technology can save your company. Click the button below to use the Total Cost of Ownership Comparison Calculator.
Added value: Reduced risk of oil contamination
The food processing company also learned that the benefits of dry vacuum pumps go beyond the financial and cross into the realm of regulatory compliance.
In oil-sealed vacuum pumps, lubricant creates a vacuum inside the pump housing. That oil can backstream up the walls of the pump line into the sealing chamber. Backstreaming can also occur due to oil vapor, which at certain pressure points can flow upward through the inlet and into the sealing chamber. Read more on the topic in this article, Contamination in Vacuum Systems: Sources and Remedies.
Key takeaway? Any level of oil in the chamber poses a contamination hazard.
The customer realized that they could avoid this hazard, and any potential liability related to it, by switching to dry vacuum pumps.
The trial
So that the food processing company could experience the benefits of dry pump technology firsthand, Leybold provided the company with a SCREWLINE dry screw vacuum to use on a trial basis. After experiencing the improvements in maintenance and safety, they decided to purchase the model, which would provide a return on its cost in 18 months.
Related: Explore our range on the Leybold SCREWLINE product page.
The benefits
Since switching to dry vacuum pumps, the customer has seen an increase in production time on its food packaging line. Without the need to deactivate the machines for vacuum related repair or maintenance, they were able to keep their systems running more consistently.
As a result of increased production, reduced energy consumption, and reduced maintenance, the product is now produced in a more cost-effective way.
The client's maintenance and production floor personnel have benefited as well. Fewer vacuum pump repairs means that maintenance personnel now have more availability to address critical issues along the production line. On the floor, the dry technology eliminated oil exhaust, resulting in a more comfortable work environment.
Related: Learn more about the impact of vacuum on the food industry on our resource page, Modern Vacuum Technology and Industrial Food Production.
The key takeaway
By switching to dry vacuum pumps, the customer was able to strengthen their bottom line, make their product safer, and improve the work environment for their employees. And you don't have to miss out! Click the button below and contact us today, to find out what dry pump technology can do for you.
