A number of factors are impacting the juice, nectar and still drinks category, from the sugar challenges to the rising costs of ingredients, utilities and transportation. So how can producers improve profitability during these trying times? There’s no single answer, but there’s a lot that can be done.

Small changes make a big difference

There’s potential for significant improvements across juice production lines if you know where to look. Cleaning procedures, energy consumption and production planning all play vital roles in uptime, efficiency, and overall profitability, and all of them can be improved without replacing a line.

Birds view, processing equipment

Clean efficiency

Many juice producers make multiple products on the same line, which means they must fully clean the equipment when switching between production runs. Cleaning-in-place is at the heart of any plant, and how it performs will have a significant impact on overall profitability and efficiency. A Tetra Pak CIP unit will control key cleaning parameters with very high accuracy while also minimising utilities consumed.

Birds view, processing equipment

Planning for success

In addition to the cleaning required when switching production, there’s also the question of planning. Switching takes time, and producers may be doing this more often than is actually required. There are always losses in changes, in terms of time and also wastage, so it’s essential to adapt to production needs and to evaluate the range of products on a regular basis. Rather than taking a reactive approach to orders, take a proactive approach to planning and ensure longer production runs before switching.

INVESTING WISELY

The right technology

Efficiency will mean different things to different producers, and technology that will revolutionise production for one will not necessarily do the same for another. It’s about finding the right technology for your specific needs. So how do you find out what you need?

The power in processes

Processes can be different depending on the type of juice and the properties of the ingredients, as can be seen with production variations between orange, peach, and tomato juices. However, across all juices and nectars, the use of in-line blending may save a lot of ingredients, energy, time, and water as well as reducing equipment footprint.

Top of tanks

Prioritising performance

While limiting capital investments is always important during challenging times, reducing operational costs should always come first. Better performing lines will save money in the long-term, increasing profitability over time.

Equipment at plant

Win with packaging

An efficient production line saves time and money, but it doesn’t end there. Investing in an optimal packaging solution can boost productivity by filling more packs per hour than before, allowing you to fulfil orders faster. This means you can satisfy more orders in the same time, increasing income.

Aseptic buffer tank

OPTIMISING UPTIME

The key to success

Uptime is a crucial factor in improving efficiency and profitability, and optimising it can make a real difference. The required skill level of operators today is higher than ever, as they need to be able to understand the control systems. The information from the production lines will help to identify areas for improvement, which means effective training on automation is crucial.

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES

Growing past the pains

While times maybe be challenging for juice producers, and the food and beverage industry as whole, there’s a lot you can do to improve efficiency and boost your profit margins. From optimising the lines you have to investing in state-of-the-art equipment, Tetra Pak is here to help.

THE INTEGRATED EDGE.

Refreshing the world of juice drinks.