A well-known producer of pork products was in search of a solution for a pork belly slicing project as it developed new offerings incorporating bacon bits and slices. 

The company was focused on maximizing the use of available space while keeping costs under control. 

The processor turned to Grote Co. to purchase a slicer, but it also needed to buy other machinery. When the customer discovered that PFI, also part of the Grote Co. Family of Brands, could provide the additional equipment for the project, the decision was easy. 

The collaboration between the sister companies resulted in a solution that not only addressed the manufacturer’s challenges but also provided a major additional benefit: enabling it to operate on one line instead of two. This saved the company significant space and costs.

After assessing the situation to determine the best equipment to meet the brand’s needs, PFI and Grote Co. collaborated on a processing line that included:

• A PFI sanitary stainless steel two-stage dumper, which transfers product to the line, where a metal detector ensures the product is safe to continue processing.
• An inclined belt conveyor that transports the product to a custom platform. The conveyor includes tool-free adjustments for easier loading from the PFI platform. 
• A Grote High-Speed Slicer, which slices the pork into either bits or slices. 

The customer worked with PFI as the single point of contact, enabling streamlined communication and project management. 

The results

PFI and Grote Company worked together to manage the project, providing testing and support, which culminated in a seamless, on-time delivery and installation for the customer. The solution maximizes available space while addressing efficiency needs.

PFI pork belly slicer loading. Photo courtesy of Grote Co. and PFI

With this project successfully installed and in operation at the plant, the door is open for future collaborations between the manufacturer and the Grote Co. Family of Brands. 

The ability to collaborate across brands gives customers access to a holistic solution that simplifies the purchasing process, delivery and installation, as well as providing reliable ongoing support and maintenance. 

Source: Grote Co. and PFI