at Danish Crown Oldenburg Convenience

Oldenburg Convenience
CASE STUDY
“It’s the savings along with the flexibility the
system allows. And both are substantial!”
Claus Hubbermann, plant manager at
Oldenburg-based Danish Crown Oldenburg Convenience
Marel’s ValueSpray
at Danish Crown Oldenburg Convenience
Plant manager Claus Hubbermann’s eyes
light up and a smile from ear to ear appears
on his face when asked about the reasons for
installing a ValueSpray unit at Oldenburg
Convenience. “It’s the savings”, he says, “
along with the flexibility the system allows.
And both are substantial!”
Operating in the highly competitive and fast-changing
convenience meat market, efficiency is high on the agenda for
Hubbermann, who has been using Marel equipment since 2005.
In 2010 the ValueSpray was added to the line-up in the seasons
department of Oldenburg Convenience, where it has since been
operating to full satisfaction.
CASE STUDY
Marel’s ValueSpray at Danish Crown Oldenburg Convenience
“Short term
flexibility and
just-in-time
production
are the key to
success in our
business. The
ValueSpray
offers us just
that!”
Flexibility
“As a supplier to a large supermarket chain, we have to produce
large amounts of pork to different specs at relatively short notice.
Especially in the summer season, the morning’s weather forecast
determines the day’s product varieties as well as volumes. This
means short-term flexibility and just-in-time production are the
key to success in our business. The ValueSpray offers us just that!”,
explains Hubbermann.”It is very easy to clean and set up for the
next production run”, says Hubbermann. “I can have the whole
thing up and running again in just 5 minutes!”
precision of the Value Drum (system for in-line production of
coated or marinated fresh products), to name two other
Marel systems we currently use, we are very satisfied with the
performance of our line-up.” He does not need many words to
describe his long-standing relationship with Marel: “Everything
just works out: the machines work, service is good, performance
claims are met and promises are kept.
Trend Responsiveness
Flexibility has become even more important recently, as consumer
trends point towards a preference for more meat variation in
smaller portions, meaning more equipment changeovers,
according to Hubbermann. “People like fingerfood these days: new,
smaller and different-tasting products that are ready to eat.
Torch-shaped, twisted meat sticks, for example, are the latest trend.
The versatility of the ValueSpray helps us cater to this need for
variety quickly. In conjunction with the other Marel systems we are
currently using, we are able to create production lines which are
highly responsive to end customers’ ever-changing preferences”,
Hubbermann recounts.
Substantial Savings
Another major advantage of the ValueSpray over traditional dipper
systems is its ability to generate substantial savings. “If we change
marinades between production runs in a dipper system, a lot of
marinade is simply lost. The ValueSpray sprays marinade directly
onto the meat product, allowing for a much smaller marinade
reservoir and thus less loss after each changeover. As a result, our
overall marinade use has reduced by as much as 30%”,
Hubbermann explains.
Everything just works
“Together with the 2.5 - 3% yield increase realized by the OptiCut
(a volumetric portioning machine) and the solid reliability and
Company Profile:
Oldenburg Convenience GmbH in its current form
was founded in 2008 as a processor of convenience
meat products. Since its merger with Danish Crown
Fleisch GmbH in 2013, the company produces
portions and packages around 250 tonnes of pork
and beef per week, including fillets, marinated meat
varieties, bratwurst, cutlets and seasoned products.
The company currently has 121 employees, mainly
from the Oldenburg area. Its customers include
European Trade Discounters.