FOOD BUSINESS GULF & ME Jan-march 2018 | Page 16

NEWS 14 sustainable, biodiverse local farms, and cooled to under four degrees within a few hours from being picked from the tree to keep them completely fresh and with the same great taste as the moment they were picked. They're served up chilled on Kite Beach in Dubai - and they're soon to be available in organic stores too, or delivered to your home! The coconuts are kept to a cool 1-4 degrees, meaning that Thirsty Camel coconuts keep the same great taste as the day they were picked. The water from the fresh, young green coconuts is fat free, low in sugars and calories, and rich in electrolytes and vitamins, as well as hypoglycemic and hypotension-inducing compounds such as calcium and potassium. The real difference is the taste though, Nam Hom coconuts are known as the aromatic FOOD BUSINESS GULF & MIDDLE EAST coconut, and they are picked at nine months old, at the point at which they have the maximum amount of fresh hydrating water. Fabcon expands Middle Eastern presence through Kuwaiti deal A leading food processing equipment manufacturer has bolstered its presence in the Middle East by supplying bespoke equipment for one of the region's first purpose-built batch fried crisp factories. UK-based Fabcon Food Systems has provided the systems for a £1.5 million production line in a new Kuwait factory, built and owned by the AlWazzan Foodstuff Industries Group. It is the company's first direct sale into the Middle East market. Working closely with the Kuwaiti group's management team, Fabcon have installed a range of their specially-designed pre-processing equipment, including frying, seasoning, distribution and supply line supporting structures. The Norwich-based specialists were chosen for the project after demonstrating their experience in potato processing and seasoning, and their project management credentials, to see the project through its design, supply, installation and commissioning phases. Trevor Howard, managing director of Fabcon Food Systems said: “We were approached by AlWazzan's owner Muntaser AlWazzan after he learned about our expertise in building batch crisp lines. “The purpose-built factory is hugely innovative and the facility is an exciting new venture in a new market for Muntaser and his company. They now have a 21st century production plant to support their business as it quickly expands across the region.” Muntaser AlWazzan, of AlWazzan Foodstuff Industries Group, added: “To operate a successful facility we required the best equipment, knowledge and expertise. Fabcon's team has delivered all of those things and expertly saw the project from start to completion. “We now have one of the most innovative potato crisp production facilities in the Middle East with room for further expansion.” Formed in 2015, Fabcon Food Systems manufacture, supply and install innovative handling and processing equipment for the food industry. Designed and built at the company's Norwich factory, Fabcon supply their systems and machinery to customers in the UK, mainland Europe, the Middle East and Africa. JANUARY - MARCH 2018