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SHOWCASE Equipment
The ‘Full Service’ from Vigo Vigo Ltd is well known in the UK brewing industry for its American Beer Equipment (ABE) canning line installations, which will shortly total 30 in number. They are less well known for the supply and installation of other key brewing equipment. In an environment where breweries are working flat out to meet demand, the resources required to setup, integrate, operate, and trouble-shoot new production equipment are just not available in-house. Choosing a supplier which provides these services both professionally and competently becomes as essential as the equipment itself.
In addition, if the supplying and installation company are one and the same, there is even more added value in terms of peace of mind regarding backup, accountability and communication (you are just dealing with one company and they are UK based). With ar team of specialist engineers, a focus on safety standards, and manufacturing experience, Vigo offers all of these things. Aside from canning lines, here’s a taster of the other brewing equipment Vigo can offer: ABE Brewhouses: With 9 successful brewhouse installations under its belt, Vigo both supplies and offers as
standard full installation, commissioning and training, in addition to hands-on support during the initial production run. From 3 to 60 US BBL (2 to 40 UK BBL) brewhouses with the capability to brew multiples times per day, Vigo also offers glycol chilling systems, grain handling systems, steam pipework, and connection to all services. Project stage process and layout plans are also provided as standard.
Bottling Systems: All types of beer, including IPAs, stouts and lagers, can be bottled with Vigo supplied bottling equipment. Vigo offers a wide range of bottling equipment, from manual and semi-automatic (<200bph) filling machines to fully automatic CIMEC lines (<5,000 bph) for still and carbonated products. From concept to initial production, Vigo works with its customers throughout the project to meet their specific requirements – aspects of the project can include engineering site surveys, layout plans, and service/utility discussions in order to ensure projects run efficiently and effectively. The calibre of Vigo installations can be seen in Vigo supplied CIMEC lines such as South East Bottling’s and Craft Beer Bottling’s 2,000 bph counter pressure systems; both these companies provide essential contract bottling services to breweries.
Malek Kegging Systems: Nearly all rental kegs in the UK are cleaned on Malek Brautech systems, which Vigo have been supplying and installing for 7 years. Ranging from 15 to 160 kph, Malek’s patented cleaning technology provides the perfect solution to ensure the beer reaches the market at optimum condition. Malek has also developed Minikeg (5 litre) filling systems for the growing consumer demand for flexible/party-friendly packaging formats.
After-sale support is also a key ethic at Vigo. Engineers are available for advice over phone and/or on-site support. Servicing schedules can be setup and scheduled to fit brewery production demands and repairs carried out where necessary. If you have equipment requirements for this year or next, please contact the Vigo sales team.
For further information: www.vigoltd.com sales@vigoltd.com
Makro launches checkweigher for craft brewers Having achieved huge success supplying equipment to the UK craft brewers, Makro Labelling UK has been appointed an agent for the Radwag Rotary Checkweigher, which is most suited to can lines that have been put into the craft beer market.
Richard Portman, managing director of Makro Labelling UK, said about this latest addition to his machine portfolio, “One of the main issues for the craft brewers using cans is being able to conform to the Average Weight legislation. Currently the only option that has been available is
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to employ someone to stand at the end of the filling machine, taking off the line 4 cans in every 100, and weighing them, assuming all is OK then putting them back on the line for packing.” Richard continued, "With the Radwag checkweigher, you can install this over an existing conveyor, and the unit has a star wheel which takes every can that has been filled and records the production from the filler/seamer. With the introduction of the Radwag checkweigher, craft brewers will now be fully compliant with the average weight legislation as complete documentation can be produced should they get a visit from the weights and measures
inspectorate. Priced at around £20k the ROI will be less than a year as craft brewers won’t have to have an operative just carrying out weighing duties.” The Radwag units come with a full one-year guarantee, from when the Makro after sales and service team will have a comprehensive set of spares to look after any clients.
Richard concluded, “I have been looking for an affordable checkweigher for some time, as the craft brewers embrace cans as an alternative to glass. The need for this equipment has become paramount so that they fully comply with the regulations. The machines are available from stock so installation can be extremely quick.”
For further information: www.makro-labelling.co.uk
BREWING & BEVERAGE INDUSTRIES BUSINESS • Autumn 2019
