| Arable
Tong invests in new paint facilities for the highest quality finish
s part of an ongoing growth and development programme, Tong Engineering has invested in the latest powder coating and shot blasting systems at its new manufacturing plant in Spilsby.
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Situated on the company’s seven-acre site, the first-phase building has been kitted out with a new powder coating spray booth, water wash extraction and a large drying oven, alongside a new shot blast unit to prepare materials prior to painting. Neil Martin, Operations Director at Tong Engineering, says “Our new metalpreparation and paint facilities form a key function within the new factory, and are already proving to drive efficiencies. The advancements in application methods,
temperature control and cycle-time have developed significantly, ensuring that the process is not only more efficient, but the appearance of the end product is consistently to the highest standards in paint durability and finish.” The new shot blasting unit uses a powerful technique to clean the metal’s surface and create a quality finish which guarantees optimum adhesion of paint. This steel preparation process is the first stage of a 3-part paint system at Tong, in which metal is first shot-blasted, followed by the application of a durable rustinhibiting primer which is then finished with a premium quality top-coat, before it is cured at high temperatures. “The spacious new drying oven can accommodate large equipment modules with a much higher bake temperature
than our previous system,” explains Neil. “It also delivers a fast bake-cycle which means much quicker turnaround of the complete painting process.” “As an industry leading manufacturer, our investment in a purpose-built production facility, featuring the latest painting and shot blasting plant, gives Tong the edge on quality and capacity. The finish of Tong equipment is designed to last, giving our customers the confidence that their investment in Tong handling solutions will provide optimum longevity and performance for many years to come.” For more information on Tong's latest range of handling equipment visit www.tongengineering.com.
BURGUNDY BROCCOLI ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF PURPLE SPROUTING BROCCOLI urgundy Broccoli, the brand that launched the UK's first whole head purple broccoli which can be eaten in entirety, either raw or cooked, has announced the development of a new variant which will be available for shoppers to purchase in 2021. The Burgundy variant will now also be available in a purple sprouting broccoli (PSB) from spring 2021 following a hugely successful trial period in nationwide retailers, with rapid sales growth of PSB since the introduction of the product last year. Purple broccoli products are known for the heightened anti-oxidant compounds compared to their green counterparts. The new PSB will also benefit from the
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Farming Monthly | June 2021
superlative tenderness of the Burgundy variant, making it a delicious and versatile vegetable product. Produced by seed developers Elsoms, based in Lincolnshire, the PSB will be grown in the UK from spring right through to November, allowing UK shoppers to access British-grown quality brassicas throughout the year. Dave Clay, Brassica Crop Manager at Elsoms who developed Burgundy Broccoli and the new PSB, says: "As a nation, we are passionate about quality crops and produce, and I think the response to our PSB really reflects that. We've seen sales of PSB units double, since introducing the product last Autumn. "It's got a slightly sweeter taste profile than your average broccoli, and it's
beautifully tender making it the perfect veg for a midweek dinner or a weekend treat." The Purple Sprouting Broccoli will be available from Waitrose and Co-op at an RRP of £1.80 per pack. For more information about Burgundy Broccoli and some recipe inspiration, please visit www.burgundybroccoli.com. www.farmingmonthly.co.uk
