PET Food Processing - June 2021 - 63

OPERATIONS
Trends in new
CONSTRUCTION
A look at current design trends in pet
food and treat manufacturing plants.
By Keith Loria | petfoodprocessing@sosland.com
T
There are always many considerations that go into designing
a new plant for pet food or treat manufacturers,
and the COVID-19 pandemic added even more things
that need to be taken into account.
So, in addition to thinking about food safety, the types
of product being produced and the expansion possibilities
at a plant, now manufacturers and those building
and designing these facilities must consider changes to
the offices, employee spaces, and even entrances and exits
that create a safer and more comfortable environment
for workers.
Zach Becks, manager, architecture and engineering
(A&E) integration, food and beverage, Gray
Construction, Lexington, Ky., noted design is key in determining
the safety and quality of the food produced in
a pet food operation.
" We collaborate with our pet food customers on design
aspects to ensure the company's strict standards
for quality, food safety and sanitation are met, " he said.
" While there are many hygienic design considerations
when building a pet food facility, the basis of a facility
program or layout is in the understanding of people,
product and waste movement. By understanding these,
hygienic zoning and adjacencies can be established in
order to reduce the risk of product contamination. "
These movements also help to streamline operations.
A well-designed facility allows processors to produce
great food efficiently and maintain a clean environment
to reduce the chances of recalls.
Joe McCarthy, chief supply officer, Champion
Petfoods, Edmonton, Alberta, noted food safety, quality
and employee health are at the core of its plant designs,
and that's something that will never change.
" When we built our DogStar kitchen in Kentucky in
2016 and our NorthStar kitchen in Alberta in 2019, we
set out to build facilities that exceeded standards set in
the pet food industry, " he said. " Fortunately, the result is
kitchens that exceed many standards in the human food
industry as well. "
Both facilities were purpose-built and custom-designed
specifically for Champion Petfoods' unique recipes,
which include fresh and raw ingredients.
" We intentionally located them in agricultural heartlands
so they can be closer to many of the sources of ingredients
we use, " McCarthy said.
What's trending
Tyler Cundiff, president, food and beverage, Gray Inc.,
said through the company's robust offerings - which
include operational improvements, construction, extensive
engineering, automation, systems integration and
equipment manufacturing - he is seeing above-average
activity in the food and beverage industry with a focus
on speed to market; upgrades to meet CDC guidelines
www.petfoodprocessing.net | June 2021 | PET FOOD PROCESSING 63
Champion Petfoods'
NorthStar Kitchen,
which began
operations in January
2020, features several
sanitary controls,
including for product
transfer, room
separation, strategic
air pressure systems,
and automated flush
cleaning systems.
Champion Petfoods
http://www.petfoodprocessing.net
PET Food Processing - June 2021

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