Food & Drink Process & Packaging Issue 29 2020 | Page 40

Engineering specialist steps up to Coronavirus challenge with new stainless steel solutions Gateshead, UK-based Tech Projects has applied its specialist stainless steel fabrication expertise to develop a hand sanitising unit and screen, which will support safe working practices and social distancing in the food processing sector. The company, which is based at an extensive and well-equipped site in Felling, designs and manufactures conveyor systems as well as manufacturing and installing structural access and material handling solutions. With more than 20 years’ experience, Tech Projects supports leading UK and international companies, including major food and beverage manufacturers, with stainless steel fabrication services: these are applied to facilities where hygienic and corrosion resistant equipment and working environments are of paramount importance. In response to the current Coronavirus pandemic, Tech Projects has been working with its customers to provide solutions that will safely accelerate and improve processes, while enabling businesses to comply with health and safety regulations, and social distancing and hygiene guidelines. Tech Projects has designed a stainless steel mobile hand sanitising unit which has been supplied to a number of food manufacturing operations, as well as other industrial facilities. The unit is completely manufactured from stainless steel and has a flexible design so it can be supplied in any multiples of sanitisers required, catering for both high and low volumes of use at different times of demand. All units have four swivel castors, with brakes for 40 FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk fixing into position, and are completely mobile allowing movement within the workspace. This provides flexibility and minimum downtime, as staff do not have to leave a workstation and instead are able to operate closely to the mobile sanitising unit, which can be moved to wherever it is needed. The design ensures it can also be chained securely through the frame to a barrier or fence if required. Tech Projects has also applied its experience in stainless steel fabrication – and the design and manufacture of bespoke machine guards – to protect employees in food and beverage manufacturing with a number of screen solutions. These have been supplied to allow safe working and enable workers to adhere to social distancing requirements. Screens have been supplied to four North East-based food manufacturers and a brewery in Birmingham to allow workers to operate safely side-by-side on the factory floor, while enabling operators to maintain visibility over the process.