News briefs: UK food equipment manufacturers form US alliances
Double D steps up itsUSsales operationsScottish cooker and oven manufacturer Double D Food Engineering has signed a distribution agreement with a North American supplier of meat processing machinery, Nu-Meat Technology. The company said that teaming up with the New Jersey-based supplier will increase its leverage in the US, where it currently has a number of installations with processors of meat and poultry. Nu-Meat Technology supplies a range of injection machines, brine mixers, emulsifiers and tenderizers, and will now act as an agent in selling Double D's range of batch and continuous ovens, chargrills and bar markers through its US network, claims the company. 'We talked to a number of distributors based in the US but we decided that teaming up with Nu-Meat Technology is the right fit as its product range compliments our offering. The partnership will strengthen our ability to provide custom-built fully integrated in line production solutions and extend our customer base in North America," a spokesperson told FoodProductionDaily.com The move is part of an ambitious expansion strategy by the company with sales operations also set to be stepped up in Canada and Germany, added the spokesperson. The company, which designs and manufacturers all its equipment near Edinburgh, said that it plans to base its senior service engineer at Nu-Meat for several months to ensure continuity of after sales service to its customers. Double D, which was founded in 1979, was acquired by the Bonspiel Group, a Scottish-based specialist engineering group in July 2007. Wright Machinery merges with PPM Technologies Wright Machinery, a supplier in the design, manufacture and installation of processing and packaging systems, recently announced its merger with PPM Technologies, a US provider of thermal processing, product handling and packaging equipment. The merger reflects a trend among businesses in today's archly competitive food industry to consolidate for strength. The two suppliers released statements on the merger that claim the consolidation of the two companies, while enhancing their position globally, will benefit food manufacturers through increased sales and service coverage as well as extended product range. A spokesperson for PPM Technologies told FoodProductionDaily.com that with operational capabilities now in North America and Europe, the combined business can manage its global supply chain more effectively and continue to focus on innovation going forward: "Both businesses have distinct expertise in areas of processing and packaging. By combining this knowledge, we will focus on development of breakthrough technologies that will enable customers to succeed in today's competitive market." Chief executive officer (CEO) of PPM Technologies, Mark Eaton, will lead the combined company while James Walsh, currently CEO of Wright Machinery, will take on the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO).
