Covington, LA - A white paper from Allpax, powered by Pro Mach, looks at how the Shaka(R) retort process blurs the lines between UHT/aseptic packaging and retort sterilization, making it possible for a processor to produce UHT quality food through a batch retort process that has a significantly lower capital and labor cost; faster time to market, including validation; and greater flexibility than UHT processing.
The white paper details the results of a five year research and development effort to commercialize the Shaka process and includes charts and a Shaka retort production video. Shaka retorts agitate packaging using a six-inch double-stroke reciprocating movement at speeds greater than 100 double strokes per minute. The intense horizontal back and forth movement is equivalent to as high as 2 gs of force and this creates a uniform internal heat map within the package.
At a Shaka agitation of 180 reciprocating double strokes per minute, cook time for 400 gm cans of vegetable soup reduce from 50 minutes to 5 - a 90 percent reduction. The production unit is a single production size basket with a capacity of 1,500 lbs. of product. Thus with 3-6 batches per hour, this small footprint Shaka(R) retort can process 4,500-9,000 lbs. of product per hour. Research reveals that the quality of foods produced by the Shaka process is equivalent to that produced by aseptic packaging. Taste, texture, color, nutrient retention, and cook values over a range of products showed minimal differences between products aseptically processed and those Shaka processed.
The white paper, Shaka Retorts Shake Up the Shelf-Stable Food Paradigm, is being offered as a free download by Allpax. For information on a host of Allpax retort solutions call 1-888-893-9277 and visit www.Allpax.com.
]]>Covington, LA - Allpax Products, powered by Pro Mach, is now offering a waste-steam recovery system for retorts that is designed to lower energy costs, reduce consumption of water, and improve the overall sustainability of the facility. This new system is suitable for both new installations and as a retrofit solution.
In every retort operation the FDA requires retorts to be purged of residual atmosphere before the shelf-stable process begins. In the "come-up vent-open" process, steam is flushed through the retort and vented out of the facility for a specified period of time. The Allpax waste-heat recovery system captures the "come-up vent-open" waste steam in a vented tank where the steam condenses into hot water of about 200 degrees F.
This hot water can be used to supplement hot water in lavatories and cleaning stations or it can be run through heat exchangers for heating food or other processes at the plant. One of the first companies to use the new system utilizes the steam for use with a heat exchanger. Heat exchanged water is returned to the Allpax collection tank in a closed loop heat recovery system.
The vented collection tank is pressure neutral in terms of "come-up vent-open" guidelines. In other words, the Allpax tank is engineered to have virtually the same pressure characteristics as an open vent pipe. The heat recovery system is PLC controlled and equipped with pressure sensors, ensuring that operations personnel will be alerted should deviations in specified pressure occur. Tanks are sized to the needs of the operation. The system is easily turned on or off, depending on production schedules. Return on investment should average three years for a mid-sized retort room. As energy prices rise, return on investment speeds up.
"Every company interested in improving its overall sustainability in terms of reducing energy and water consumption while lowering operating costs will find the new waste-heat recovery system a welcome addition to the plant," said Greg Jacob, vice president and general manager, Allpax.
For information on the new Allpax waste-heat recovery system suitable for both new installations and retrofits, call 1-888-893-9277 and visit www.Allpax.com.
]]>Covington, LA - Allpax Products, powered by Pro Mach, introduces a new automated high-speed retort product delivery system for small footprint retort rooms that utilize four-, six-, and eight-basket horizontal retorts for the preparation of shelf-stable food. This new system is suitable for both new installations and as a retrofit solution.
The new Allpax system reduces labor cost and frees up workers for more value adding activities. Furthermore, with workers freed from the physical demands in the retort room of loading and unloading heavy baskets, employers can expect to see fewer repetitive motion injuries, worker compensation claims, and lost work days due to injuries. Employers should also see less damage to baskets and retorts for those operations using forklifts for loading and unloading. Return on investment can be two years or less, depending on the number of retorts served and personnel assigned to loading and unloading operations.
The typical automated retort product delivery system requires enough space for four-, six-, and eight- basket long automated shuttles to run between the basket loading area and the bank of retorts. Each shuttle has a loading arm sized to the length of the horizontal retorts it serves. Typically shuttles move at about 50 feet per minute. The end result is a long, automated, and fairly slow moving train of baskets in large open areas.
In contrast, the shorter two-basket shuttle travels nearly five times as fast - 240 feet per minute. An innovative basket coupling system removes the need for long-loading arms, which contributes to the compact size of the two-basket shuttle. With increased speed and the basket automated couple/decouple mechanism, the high-speed two-basket system performs the loading/unloading process in a space 50 to 75 percent smaller in size than that required by the longer shuttles.
"From the perspective of automation hardware, control software, and the new agitation processes such as Shaka(R) and Gentle Motion that improve productivity and quality, there has never been a more advantageous time in the last decade in terms of technology improvements for the shelf-stable food industry," said Greg Jacob, vice president and general manager, Allpax.
For information on the new Allpax high-speed two-basket loading system for small footprint retort rooms call 1-888-893-9277 and visit www.Allpax.com.
]]>Covington, LA - Using its innovative 2402 multimode R&D retort, Allpax Products, powered by Pro Mach, will demonstrate at Pack Expo 2011 in Las Vegas, September 26-28, how Shaka(R) agitation improves the taste, texture, appearance, and nutritional quality of shelf-stable food. See the new 2402 R&D retort featuring Shaka technology at the Allpax Booth #C-1416.
This summer Allpax shipped the first production Shaka retort licensed in the United States to a major food manufacturer. The Shaka process applies back and forth agitation during the retort process to sterilize food faster through improved thermal transfer - up to 90 percent faster depending on the package and food. Faster processing through the Shaka process has a profoundly positive impact on the final product. Allpax is one of only two retort manufacturers in the world and the only one in the U.S. licensed from UK-based Zinetec to manufacture and sell Shaka technology
Any type of food thin enough to move within the container when agitated will sterilize quickly under the Shaka process. Soups, sauces, ready meals, dips, spreads, baby food, pet foods, and more are all candidates. A Shaka overpressure retort equipped with a suitable retort basket for the package will sterilize cans, pouches, cartons, glass jars and bottles, small food service containers, and plastic cups, trays, and bottles
"Since we shipped the first production Shaka retort, we've seen a marked increase in customers wanting to know more about it," said Greg Jacob, vice president and general manager, Allpax. "Using the 2402 R & D retort for demonstration at Pack Expo, we will be able to show and discuss why the Shaka agitation process is so revolutionary in terms of quality and productivity.
The unique Allpax 2402 multimode R&D retort comes in a wide variety of combinations that can include: Saturated steam, steam air overpressure, water immersion, water spray, and water cascade processes in combination with seven easily changeable modular agitation modes - still, end-over-end, swinging, Gentle Motion shaking (low-speed), the Shaka process shaking (high-speed), hydrostatic simulation, and axial rotation. The unit can handle cans, bottles, pouches, cups, trays, metals, glass, plastics, and double seam film and foil closures
This R and D retort is equipped with the production version of the Allpax control software, which is 21 CFR Part 11 compliant for recipe editing, batch logs, and security functions. The Allen-Bradley PLC-based HMI makes switching between sterilization processes fast and easy, creating an almost infinite number of processing possibilities as manufacturers look for optimum efficiency, quality, and taste.
Last Spring The National Food Lab (The NFL) installed the most advanced 2402 laboratory retort ever built by Allpax. The high capacity stretch unit offered every heat and agitation mode available in one flexible unit. Speaking about the advantages of this lab retort, Terry Berman, division manager of commercialization at The NFL, said, "The NFL's new retort capability means faster time-to-market for new products and potentially better sterilization solutions for products already on the market."
Talk with Allpax at Pack Expo 2011 Booth #1416 about Shaka, the 2402 multimode R&D retort, the company's new waste-heat energy recovery system, high speed automation for small footprint retort rooms, production retorts, Shaka and Gentle motion agitation, control systems, refurbished retorts, and products and services for older canneries relying on vertical retorts. For information now on Allpax products and services for retort rooms, call 1-888-893-9277 and visit www.Allpax.com.
]]>Covington, LA - Allpax Products, a division of Pro Mach and a market leader in retort technology and retort room automation, introduced today a program for ensuring that retort rooms meet the quality and reporting mandates specified under the Food Safety Modernization Act, which was passed by Congress on January 4.
Under this new Allpax program, experienced field technicians will evaluate, free of charge, retort room controls and record keeping and provide recommendations on what steps, if any, are needed to bring the retort operation into compliance with the modernization act. Allpax is focusing a great deal of this effort on older canneries that utilize vertical saturated steam and water immersion retorts and on operations that import foodstuffs.
"Older canneries and importers are at highest risk of not having the control and monitoring capabilities essential for assuring retort room compliance," said Greg Jacob, vice president and general manager of Allpax. "The act emphasizes prevention, holding control, and record keeping to the highest standard in the country's history. This makes it difficult, if not impossible, for manual control, clipboard records, and last generation black box controllers to measure up to the new tougher standards."
The modernization act expands FDA access to records in a food emergency, requires all facilities to have in place prevention plans to address identified hazards and adulteration, increases the number of FDA inspections, and gives the agency the power to order mandatory recalls. Furthermore, the act empowers the FDA to suspend a food facility's registration if there is a reasonable probability that food from the facility will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.
Jacob said that one of the positive unintended consequences of modernizing retort control and monitoring systems is that older canneries will improve productivity, lower waste, and in general extend the operational life of the retort room.
"Allpax has always worked hand-in-hand with regulatory agencies like the FDA to make sure our customers have access to retort room solutions that comply with all the latest rules regarding processing safety and security," Jacob said. "Our solutions provide the peace of mind that comes with an efficient, compliant system."
For information on Allpax's FDA compliant control and monitoring solutions, R&D retorts, automation, refurbished retorts, and products and services for older canneries relying on vertical retorts, call 1-888-893-9277 and visit www.Allpax.com.
]]>Covington, LA - Allpax Products, a division of Pro Mach, announced today that the first production Shaka(R) retort licensed in the United States has shipped to a major food manufacturer. The Shaka process applies back and forth agitation during the retort process to sterilize food faster through improved thermal transfer - up to 90 percent faster depending on the package and food. Faster processing through Shaka technology improves the taste, texture, appearance, and nutritional quality of shelf-stable food.
Allpax is one of only two retort manufacturers in the world and the only one in the U.S. licensed from UK-based Zinetec to manufacture and sell Shaka technology. While Allpax has sold multiple laboratory retorts with Shaka capabilities, the present unit is the first production model sold in the U.S.
"Our first customer for a production Shaka can now achieve first-to-market advantage because of the taste and appearance of its line of products," said Greg Jacob, vice president and general manager, Allpax. "I have no doubt other early adopters will install Shaka retorts and that within a decade food processing engineers will all be wondering why they didn't adopt this technology sooner."
Allpax's laboratory work and the work of others showed that rapid agitation during sterilization reduces the thermal burden on a number of different types of shelf-stable food and results in higher overall quality and greater productivity through shorter cycle time. In many instances the food is indistinguishable in terms of color and taste from that prepared either on a stove as a home cooked meal, or aseptically.
Any type of food thin enough to move within the container when agitated will sterilize quickly under the Shaka process. Soups, sauces, ready meals, dips, spreads, baby food, pet foods, and more are all candidates. A Shaka overpressure retort equipped with a suitable retort basket for the package will sterilize cans, pouches, cartons, glass jars and bottles, small foodservice containers, and plastic cups, trays, and bottles.
The Allpax 1300 production Shaka retort has a 52-inch diameter and holds a single basket. Because processing times can be reduced by as much as 90 percent, the relatively small Shaka retort can potentially match or exceed the capacity of multi-basket retorts. Baskets can be loaded and unloaded by one operator. Furthermore, shorter cycle times mean lower energy consumption as compared to larger retorts.
For information on production or laboratory Shaka technology from Allpax and for the company's full lines of production retorts, R&D retorts, control systems, loading/unloading automation, refurbished retorts, and products and services for older canneries relying on vertical retorts, call 1-888-893-9277 and visit www.allpax.com.
]]>Covington, LA - Allpax Products, a division of Pro Mach, delivered seven jumbo retorts to a multi-national food manufacturer within a six month window, while saving the manufacturer 20 percent of the capital cost of the project. Additionally, the new retort's dual process mode capability expanded capacity, made the plant more flexible, and lowered labor costs within the retort room.
This multi-national food manufacturer wanted to completely replace all of its aging retorts at one facility in favor of a new fully automated retort room. The company also wanted an automated retort batch reporting system fully compliant with new FDA regulations. The plant's production requirements could only be achieved through the addition of 1800mm retorts commonly referred to as jumbo retorts due to their 1.8 meter (5 foot 10.9 inch) diameter and six-basket capacity.
The problem for the manufacturer was that the retort room did not have the width to accommodate 10 side-by-side jumbo retorts - the number needed to meet the planned for increase in capacity. Allpax personnel examined the available floor space in terms of width and length, taking into account the space required for an automated loading/unloading system.
The Allpax solution to the limited width in the room was to manufacture retorts eight baskets long, not six, as the standard jumbos are. The eight basket retorts would be 38 feet, an extension of 8 feet over the six basket retorts. Allpax's axial retort doors, which open up, not out, would help ensure the retorts fit into the available space.
The seven longer retorts could stand in place of the ten shorter units and meet capacity requirements. Three fewer retorts meant the food manufacturer realized a 20 percent savings as compared to the cost of 10.
The company asked Allpax whether it could develop dual-mode jumbo retorts that could process either cans or flexible packaging. This ability to process both types of packaging would give the company both flexibility and the potential to lower future capital costs. Allpax has extensive experience in both technologies and designed the new jumbo retorts as dual mode; saturated steam for can processing or water spray overpressure processing for flexible containers. Operators simply select the desired mode. There are no change parts required to switch between modes.
Allpax was responsible for providing the supervisory control and reporting software needed for retort operation and for generating reports that would be used for FDA reporting purposes. Allpax personnel also programmed the new fully automated retort room loading/unloading system, where filled and sealed cans are automatically loaded into baskets, transported to and loaded into the retorts, unloaded after the processing, and then transported back to the packaging line where they are labeled, packed into cases, and shipped. As designed by Allpax, the automated retort room - loading/unloading automation and seven jumbo retorts - can be managed by a single operator. For all of its programming needs, Allpax has a team of software engineers. These engineers are available 24/7 to log into a retort via virtual private network and troubleshoot problems.
"One of our people said that we were able to meet the manufacturer's need for jumbo retorts and automated loading/unloading within six months because Allpax is nimble," said Greg Jacob, vice president and general manager, Allpax. "Nimbleness is part of it, but in addition our depth of expertise in both the hardware and software of retort technology is what made the difference for this customer and all of our customers."
For information on Allpax's production retorts, R&D retorts, control systems, loading/unloading automation, refurbished retorts, and products and services for older canneries relying on vertical retorts, call 1-888-893-9277 and visit www.allpax.com.
]]>Cincinnati, OH - Pro Mach, Inc. announced today the completion of its acquisition by The Resolute Fund II, L.P., an affiliate of The Jordan Company, from Odyssey Investment Partners, LLC. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Pro Mach is a leading provider of integrated packaging products and solutions for food, beverage, household goods, pharmaceutical, and other consumer and industrial markets. Pro Mach supports a diverse customer base, from Fortune 500 companies to smaller, privately-held businesses worldwide. It is headquartered near Cincinnati, Ohio with manufacturing facilities and offices throughout the United States and Canada.
"We are proud to announce our new ownership under The Jordan Company," said Mark Anderson, Pro Mach President and CEO. "Our management team and I look forward to partnering with them to accelerate our growth strategy and build on our position as one of the largest packaging machinery manufacturers in North America."
"Our outstanding management team, which transformed Pro Mach from a collection of individual brands to a leading integrated solution provider, will remain intact and continue to lead our growth and execute our strategy," added Mr. Anderson. "The Jordan Company, with headquarters in New York and offices in Chicago and Shanghai, China, will provide significant support for Pro Mach and its management team to draw upon as we continue to grow our company and fulfill our highest priority - serving our customers. With The Jordan Company's support, we look forward to enhancing ProCustomer, our exemplary customer sales, support and service program that Pro Mach is recognized for in the packaging industry."
Pro Mach's product and solution brands include Allpax, Axon, Brenton, Currie by Brenton, Dekka, Fowler, ID Technology, IPak, LSI, Orion, Ossid, Rennco, Roberts PolyPro, Shuttleworth, Wexxar/Bel, and ProCustomer.
"By providing a single source for integrated solutions and a wide range of standalone products, Pro Mach solves strategically important packaging operations challenges for a diverse range of customers every day," said Brian Higgins, Principal, The Jordan Company. "Pro Mach and its brands have an excellent reputation for consistent delivery of exceptional products and support to its demanding customers, many of whom have been customers for more than 20 years. We look forward to working with the Pro Mach management team to expand Pro Mach's capabilities to provide superior products and services to its customers."
Barclays Capital arranged the debt financing for the transaction. Mayer Brown LLP acted as legal advisor to The Jordan Company. Barclays Capital acted as financial advisor to Pro Mach. Latham & Watkins LLP and Thompson Hine LLP acted as legal advisors.
About The Jordan Company
The Jordan Company (www.thejordancompany.com), founded in 1982, is a leading middle-market private equity firm with over $5 billion of assets under management and a successful track record of investing in and growing businesses across a wide range of industries. The firm's partners have been investing together for more than two decades, establishing The Jordan Company as one of the most experienced and stable investment teams in private equity. The investment team is supported by the firm's Operations Management Group, which initiates and supports operational improvements in portfolio companies. The firm generates deal flow through a well-developed network of sourcing relationships. Headquartered in New York, The Jordan Company also has offices in Chicago and Shanghai.
About Odyssey Investment Partners
Odyssey Investment Partners, LLC, with offices in New York and Los Angeles, is a leading middle-market private equity firm with more than $2 billion under management. Odyssey Investment Partners, LLC primarily makes control investments typically in established middle-market companies in a variety of industries. For further information about Odyssey Investment Partners, LLC, please visit www.odysseyinvestment.com. The firm can be reached in New York at 280 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017 or (212) 351-7900; and in California at 21650 Oxnard Street, Woodland Hills, CA 91367 or (818) 737-1111.
]]>Covington, LA - Allpax Products, a division of Pro Mach and a market leader in retort technology and retort room automation, announced today the successful development of the fastest retort basket loading system in the world - in excess of 10 sweeps per minute and basket changeover in less than 20 seconds.
"Food and pet food processors can potentially add a filler line and the new 400X Hyper-Loader and significantly boost throughput," said Greg Jacob, vice president and general manager, Allpax. "The productivity improvements should more than outweigh the capital investment for a solid ROI."
The Hyper-Loader technology of more than 10 sweeps per minute, up from 6 to 7 for a standard Allpax automated loader, and a reduction of basket changeover time from 30 seconds to less than 20 came out of an application where a pet food processor upgraded its kitchen. With the upgrade came more cans per minute than the automated loader could handle. The Allpax solution raised the throughput of 212 X 107 sized cans from 2,000 to 3,000 per minute, a 50 percent increase.
At only four feet longer than a standard Allpax automated loader, the Hyper-Loader offers essentially the same footprint and should present few issues in retrofit applications. For information on Allpax's Hyper-Loader, production retorts, R&D retorts, control systems, automation, refurbished retorts, and products and services for older canneries relying on vertical retorts, call 1-888-893-9277 and visit www.allpax.com.
]]>Covington, LA - Allpax Products, a division of Pro Mach and a market leader in retort technology and retort room automation, announced today an expansion of its capabilities to supply hard to find and replace parts for vertical retorts. Allpax typically supplies custom ordered ASME certified parts within four weeks.
This Allpax service is designed to give companies utilizing vertical retorts greater assurance for continued productivity and safe operations through ASME certified parts manufactured by retort experts. Customers most commonly ask Allpax to supply wing nut type lugs, lid gaskets, baskets, and basket handles. Allpax maintains drawings of each customer's parts and delivery on reordered parts is fast and effective.
Beginning last year with state-of-the-art control system hardware and software, Allpax developed a specialized focus supporting vertical saturated steam and water immersion operations. Control systems were followed by comprehensive and integrated support programs for increased safety, energy savings, and now assured supply of hard to find and replace parts.
"We work with customers to improve the efficiency, sustainability, and longevity of vertical saturated steam and water immersion operations," said Greg Jacob, vice president and general manager, Allpax. "Then when it makes sense for customers, we partner with them to cost effectively manage the migration to new or refurbished retort vessels and current technology control systems."
Jacob said that due to new FDA reporting mandates Allpax is receiving an increasing number of calls from older canneries about the cost effectiveness and process for upgrading to new control hardware and software.
For information on the Allpax program for providing hard to find replacement parts and other services for older canneries relying on vertical retorts; production retorts; R&D retorts; control systems; retort room automation; and refurbished retorts call 1-888-893-9277 and visit www.allpax.com.
]]>Livermore, CA and Covington, LA - The National Food Lab (The NFL) and Allpax Products, a division of Pro Mach, announced today the installation of the most advanced laboratory retort in the world in The NFL's pilot plant. Using the Allpax Stretch 2402 multimode R & D retort, The NFL can identify the optimal combination of processing parameters (agitation and heating media) that will result in the highest quality product and maximum process efficiency.
"The NFL's new retort capability means faster time-to-market for new products and potentially better sterilization solutions for products already on the market," said Terry Berman, director of commercialization at The NFL. "Companies can now use one pilot plant, not two or even three as they had to do in the past, and have product preparation, multiple retort processes, and control strategies at their fingertips."
"The NFL wanted to provide the most versatile retort testing service in the world and was the first Allpax customer to specify every Stretch 2402 mode available," said Adam Reichert, Allpax process engineer/thermal processing specialist. "They also requested a longer retort for greater capacity."
The unique Allpax Stretch 2402 at The NFL offers saturated steam, steam air overpressure, water immersion, water spray, and water cascade processes in combination with seven easily changeable modular agitation modes - still, end-over-end, swinging, Gentle Motion shaking (low-speed), The Shaka Process(R) shaking (high-speed), hydrostatic simulation, and axial rotation. The unit can handle cans, bottles, pouches, cups, trays, metals, glass, plastics, and double seam film and foil closures.
This retort is equipped with the production version of the Allpax control software, which is 21 CFR Part 11 compliant for recipe editing, batch logs, and security functions. The Allen-Bradley PLC-based HMI makes switching between sterilization processes fast and easy, creating an almost infinite number of processing possibilities as manufacturers look for optimum efficiency, quality, and taste.
For more information on the new retort capabilities at The NFL, call Terry Berman (925-556-4813) and visit www.TheNFL.com. For information on Allpax laboratory and production retorts, call 985-893-9277 and visit www.allpax.com.
]]>Covington, LA - Allpax Products, a division of Pro Mach and a market leader in retort technology and retort room automation, announced today that the company is expanding its energy and sustainability retort room audits from a pilot endeavor to a full fledged national program.
For the past 18 months, Allpax worked with a small number of canneries, each of which utilizes vertical retorts. These audits identified improvements for lowering energy costs, minimizing waste water, and enhancing quality, productivity, and assured conformance to FDA guidelines.
"The audits demonstrated that there are techniques and technology available today that unquestionably improve the economic and environmental sustainability of canneries that employ vertical retorts," said Greg Jacob, general manager, Allpax. "We are expanding the program nationally because of the overwhelmingly positive response from plant managers, maintenance personnel, and operators."
The Allpax audit examines the overall consumption of steam, the process for venting of steam, the amount of water consumed in cooling, and the overall effectiveness of manual and automated controls. Auditors also evaluate wear on hard to replace parts such as hinges, handles, and baskets, and the potential safety hazards from corrosion.
Allpax now offers a product for condensing steam once it leaves a retort. The condensate provides the facility with a new source of hot water. The new heat recovery product is in line with FDA regulations and ensures "come-up-and-value-open" schedules are not affected. Allpax also expanded its manufacture of hard to find components for older vertical retorts. The company now buys used vertical retorts for refurbishment and resale.
For information on Allpax's comprehensive line of products and services for older canneries relying on vertical retorts, call 888-893-9277 and visit www.allpax.com.
]]>An extension of The Small Business Jobs and Credit Act of 2010 extends and temporarily increases the additional first-year depreciation provision for investment in new business equipment, such as packaging and processing machinery. For new equipment placed in service after September 8, 2010 and through December 31, 2011, the new law provides for 100% additional first-year depreciation. In other words, the entire cost of qualifying new machinery placed in service during that time frame can be written off, without limit.
Note that even though the legislation was not signed into law until December 17, 2010, the effective date of this provision was made retroactive, to include qualifying new equipment placed in service after September 8, 2010. Thus for:
The new law leaves in place the existing rules as to what kinds of property qualify for additional first-year depreciation. Generally, the property must be depreciable equipment with a recovery period of 20 years or less. Also the original use of the equipment must commence with the taxpayer - used machinery does not qualify.
Taxpayers must have taxable income to take advantage of the deduction. Deductions cannot be used to reduce taxable income below zero. Deductions are allowable even if the purchases are wholly or partially financed. This incentive particularly benefits small and mid-sized companies who have an opportunity to make investments that otherwise would be delayed or impossible to make this year.
How the economic stimulus benefits your company:
Capital investments by definition are undertaken with an eye on long-term expansion or upgrades to existing production capacity. If you are considering expanding a plant or making investments in new equipment, the expense deduction provides help in paying for it by lowering your tax burden and improving cash flow. Companies that take advantage of the tax incentive early in the year may also get some benefits with their estimated tax payments as they make their financial plans for the year. It pays to take advantage early. Companies planning to take advantage of the new tax incentive should consult their tax planner to fully understand the benefits. However, for most companies considering a new equipment purchase, this is a strike now opportunity to receive the value of new equipment, plus the added value and quicker ROI offered with the tax incentives. Contact our experienced sales teams and we can work together on creating a plan to suit your business needs.
]]>Covington, LA - Allpax Products, a division of Pro Mach, will demonstrate a new software solution for enabling more consistent maintenance and faster repairs of retorts at Pack Expo 2010 in Chicago. A second new software offering being demonstrated ensures higher quality and productivity in retort rooms. See these and Allpax control, HMI, and retort room automation solutions at the Allpax Booth #S-947.
Maintainer software automatically tracks and alerts personnel when critical retort components are scheduled for maintenance. Maintainer also provides retort room personnel with quick access to machine documentation, maintenance tech notes, and 3D views of retort components. With maintenance schedules, concise written information, and detailed graphics at their finger tips, maintenance employees gain insight into the complex inner workings of today's high tech retorts - insight into maximum throughput, consistent quality, and low downtime.
Challenger software ensures quality and productivity by monitoring critical operating parameters and reporting on any point of deviation from norms during the retort process. At the end of a "challenge" mode, Challenger provides a written report comparing actual performance to expected performance. Challenger gives operations personnel a new and important diagnostic tool to help keep the retort process within quality and productivity norms.
In addition to the two new software offerings, Allpax and Rockwell Automation will jointly demonstrate the Allen-Bradley InSite suite of remote monitoring capabilities including surveillance, diagnostics, administration, knowledge, optimization, and visualization.
All the software demonstrated at the booth will be in simulated operation with an Allpax 2402R4-Stretch research and development retort. The 2402R4-Stretch laboratory retort can process products being researched through rotary agitation and shaker agitation; and through steam, steam air, water immersion, water spray, hydrostat simulation, or sterilmatic simulation sterilization. Allpax laboratory retorts are compact, moveable, and can be rented, leased, or purchased.
"Everything that Allpax does in the retort industry helps to ensure consistent quality and produce tastier food at the lowest labor cost and highest speed," said Greg Jacob, vice president and general manager, Allpax. "Our software is in such demand that plant management asks us to retrofit competitors' retorts with Allpax solutions. Maintainer, Challenger, InSite, the 2402R4-Stretch laboratory retort, and other offerings are a must see at Pack Expo for every packer of low-acid, shelf-stable food."
For more information on the quality, throughput, and energy and labor savings of Allpax software solutions call 888-893-9277 or visit www.allpax.com.
]]>Covington, LA - Allpax Products, a division of Pro Mach, supplied the Department of Defense (DOD) with five new Gentle Motion retorts - the first high-capacity, high-throughput retort specifically designed for pouches and semi-rigid trays. The five retorts will be used to process up to 250,000 multi-serving entrees and side dishes per month for troops on field deployment.
"Our retorts will mean tastier food for the troops," says Greg Jacob, Allpax general manager. "Allpax also saved the military money. Projects like this one bring home the fact that equipment suppliers have the potential to make things better for customers and ultimately for consumers, who in this case are our fighting men and women."
Allpax demonstrated to the DOD that, depending on the type of entree packaged in the 6.6 pound multi-serving trays, Gentle Motion retorts can reduce processing time by 15 to 42 percent over static retorts. Faster processing time, in both heating and cooling of entrees and side dishes, offered the DOD a number of advantages.
Taste, texture, and visual appeal of shelf-stable food improve with the Gentle Motion retort's shorter processing time. These improvements result from the retort's capability to prevent overcooking or scorching food. Also, the retort's reciprocating motion and even heat distribution along the major surfaces of multi-serve trays aids in the overall hydration of starches. The Allpax retorts help create more than 15 entrees and side dishes for the DOD, including 6.6 pound trays of chicken stir fry, Burgundy beef stew, barbecue pulled pork, spaghetti with meatballs, turkey tetrazzini, and Santa Fe style rice and beans. All meals remain shelf stable for 36 months.
In addition to producing higher quality meals for troops on field deployment, the high-capacity, high-throughput Gentle Motion retort offered speed. The DOD purchased five retorts rather than six, which was the original number of retorts estimated when the project went out for bid. With five gentle motion units, the DOD meets its capacity goal of processing 250,000 multi-serving entrees and side dishes per month. One less retort meant a significant cost savings.
Allpax supervisory, control, and maintenance software provides operators and managers at the co-packing facility where the retorts will be used with a host of tools to ensure consistent speed and quality. Internet connectivity through a secure Virtual Private Network (VPN) gives DOD personnel a window into each retort's production. This will aid DOD personnel in program management and logistics.
For more information on the quality, throughput, and energy savings of the Gentle Motion retort call 888-893-9277 or visit www.allpax.com.
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