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A Sticky Situation: Manufacturing Snacks and Confections

Manufacturing Snacks and Confections - HaF Equipment

Revenue in the Confectionery & Snacks segments is estimated to amount to US$299.50bn in 2023 and is expected to grow annually by 3.00% (CAGR 2023-2027). Most revenue is generated in the United States. (Statista) As the demand for chocolate bars, doughnuts, marshmallows, and other popular confections continues to rise, manufacturers must ensure their equipment can handle the levels of sticky, gooey, and deliciously desirable ingredients.

Manufacturing Snacks and Confections - HaF Equipment

America's Sweet Tooth

The demand for sweets and snacks has never been higher, and with the growth of e-commerce and global marketplaces, manufacturers of confectioneries and snacks have had to scale up their operations. To ensure the production of high-quality confections, however, manufacturers must invest in reliable manufacturing equipment that meets the specific needs of their product line. 

Manufacturing equipment for sweets and snacks requires designs with hygiene protocols in mind while producing a consistent output to maintain flavor and texture standards. Additionally, machines used in the production of confections and snacks should be easy to clean and maintain to ensure sanitary conditions and high-quality products. 

In order to maintain this consistency, confection and sweets manufacturers must select durable machinery that is capable of withstanding extended use or risk downtime and loss of revenue due to repairs or maintenance. Investing in the right manufacturing equipment helps producers maximize efficiency while producing delicious treats that consumers love.  

In addition, manufacturers must also consider food safety regulations when selecting the appropriate equipment. That selection must include equipment designed with food safety standards in mind so that products remain clean and safe to consume. By maintaining these standards throughout production, manufacturers can ensure their customers receive a product they can trust.

Equipment Used to Manufacture Confections and Snacks

The equipment required to manufacture confections and snacks varies depending on the specific production process and may include:

    1. Mixing equipment: used to blend the ingredients, such as sugar, corn syrup, and gelatin, together.
    2. Cooking equipment: used to heat and cook the mixture to a specific temperature and consistency.
    3. Whipping equipment: used to aerate the mixture and create the fluffy texture of the marshmallows.
    4. Depositing equipment: used to deposit the marshmallow mixture into molds or onto a conveyor belt.
    5. Cutting equipment: used to cut the marshmallows into desired shapes and sizes.
    6. Packaging equipment: used to package the marshmallows into bags, boxes, or other containers.

Some manufacturers may also use additional equipment for specific production processes, such as extruders or enrobing machines.  Additionally, production equipment for confectioners and snacks may include: 

  • Bulk Bag Unloaders
  • Bag Break Stations
  • Blower packages
  • Bin vents
  • Filter Receivers
  • Piping
  • Liquid skid/tote
  • Extrusion

HaF Equipment Does Its Part

Custom-engineered material handling equipment systems are in greater demand now, more than ever. Increasing demand for safe and hygienic processes drives growth within the snack and confection market. 

By keeping our finger on the pulse of the industry, HaF Equipment is ahead of the curve. The manufacturing of our equipment focuses on operator-centric designs and our proven processes for success to support our major markets, making HaF Equipment more than just a great equipment manufacturer. We are your partner in excellence, committed to your success through service with integrity, purpose, and ingenuity. By designing innovative solutions to powder handling, bulk material handling, dust collection, and batching systems, we meet today’s manufacturing challenges head-on to break through the status quo. 

HaF has the expertise and experience to accommodate a wide range of needs when it comes to material handling and equipment manufacturing. We’re Ready to Connect with you and offer a customized solution and discuss your specific project needs. 

Contact a HaF account manager today to discuss your options.  

For Fun: The History of Marshmallow 

Q: When were marshmallows first enjoyed?
A: 2000 BC, Ancient Egypt. They were rare and a special treat reserved for gods and royalty.

Q: How was it originally made? 
A: It was made from the root sap of the mallow plant, which grew in marshy areas, and mixed with nuts and honey.

Q: What else can you use the mallow plant for?
A:
Heal sore throat, anti-inflammatory. The leaves can be used as a laxative. The plant contains mucilage, which the plants use to store water. That helps with these medicinal effects. Today, you can find the mallow root in teas, tinctures, capsules, ointments, creams, sodas, and cough syrups.

Q: When was the modern marshmallow created?
A:
19th century France. By this point (1927), the mallow root had been replaced by gelatin and/or egg whites. By 1950, Alex Doumak created the mass production extrusion process.

Top two producers today: Kraft Heinz Company, Doumak, Inc.

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Soft Drink Production: The Role of Material Handling Equipment

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Soft Drink Production: The Role of Material Handling Equipment

Material Processing in Soda - Manufacturing Equipment

Authors: Sarah Wagner and Hunter Kloes

Long before the soda industry brought us drinks as a refreshment, pharmacists prescribed “soda pop” to patients. Initially, pharmacists served carbonated water at the pharmaceutical counter to patients for medicinal purposes. Soft drinks were not limited to the medical industry, however. They were also commonly accepted to drink with dinner.

By 1820, flavoring was added to carbonated beverages – from salt to ginger. In 1830, soft drink producers started adding lemon; by 1858, they added tonic. Yet, it wasn’t until 1886 that John Pemberton, a pharmacist in Atlanta, Georgia, invented the first cola drink. 

John Pemberton was a chemist and druggist before serving in the Civil War. During the war, Pemberton suffered a major wound and became dangerously addicted to the pain reliever morphine. To defeat his dependency on morphine, Pemberton created Coca-Cola. He heard another doctor used coca (cocaine) to cure opium habits; Pemberton combined the coca leaves with kola nuts. His bookkeeper convinced him to call it “Coca-Cola.” Nearly 140 years later, soft drinks make up over a $430 billion industry. (Grand View Research)

Material Processing in Soda - Manufacturing Equipment

Steps in Soft Drink Production

  1. Water Treatment. Flocculation is the process where solids form larger clusters, or flocs, for removal from water. Aluminum sulfate and ferric chloride are examples of what’s pulled. Monochloramine is used to kill germs, yet it is still safe to drink. 
  2. Extraction of Raw Goods. Raw materials for producing goods and services may include vanilla bean, apricot seed, and lemon. An example of extraction used in soft drinks is the brand, Dr. Pepper. It contains extract of cherry, licorice, amaretto, almond, vanilla, blackberry, apricot, caramel, pepper, anise, sarsaparilla, ginger, molasses, lemon, plum, orange, nutmeg, cardamom, allspice, coriander juniper, birch, and prickly ash. Whew!
  3. Sugar or High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) Handling. Sugar is extracted from beets, corn, and cane. Raw goods are then mixed with the sugar sludge. The concentrate is typically made at the soft drink plant headquarters using a variety of ingredients like those listed above.

The Role of Material Handling Equipment
in Soft Drink Production

Soda production is a complex process requiring sophisticated material-handling equipment to ensure efficient processing and production. To produce high-quality soda, raw materials such as sugar, yeast, and water must be loaded into equipment designed to manage the ingredients for further processing. This includes specialized machines for weighing, blending, and pasteurizing the ingredients in a precise manner.

Then, additional equipment is needed to move the processed material from one station to another within the facility. For instance, conveyors are often used during storing and transporting bulk materials like sugar that need to be directed onto other processing equipment with little manual labor involved. Robotic arms are also commonly used to automate assembly lines, while pallet jacks can help streamline loading processes at different stages of production. 

Sanitary Design in Soda Manufacturing

The importance of sanitary equipment design in soda manufacturing cannot be overstated. The demand for safe food and beverage products has never been greater, and sanitary equipment is essential to meet these requirements. Sanitary equipment design involves using materials, components, and methods that eliminate contamination risks during production. This includes using hygienic surfaces, minimized crevices, effective drainage systems, and avoiding cross-contamination between different production steps.

Choosing the Right Manufacturing Equipment for Soda Production

Quality control protocols must be implemented when choosing soda production and manufacturing equipment to ensure all materials used meet health standards and minimize potential hazards associated with the production process itself. In addition, all components should be easy to clean and maintain while being corrosion-resistant from any liquid or chemicals used during the manufacturing process.

When it comes to soda manufacturing, there is no room for shortcuts. The selection of the right equipment is essential in ensuring a safe, efficient, and profitable operation. 

At HaF Equipment, we understand that the quality and performance of your process equipment can determine the success or failure of your business. That’s why all of our products are designed to meet and exceed industry standards while providing maximum efficiency and reliability. Our team has decades of experience engineering high-quality solutions that have been tested and proven to perform in challenging manufacturing environments. 

Contact a HaF account manager today to discuss your options.  

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