Preziosi Food, a renowned producer of potato chips and snacks in Italy, faced the challenge of significantly increasing its production capacity in response to the growing demand for affordable private-label goods in the Italian snack market. To achieve this, Preziosi partnered with TNA Solutions, a global leader in food processing and packaging solutions, to deliver and install a fully integrated production line within a strict 12-month timeframe.
Meeting the Demand: A Partnership for Success
Preziosi Food aimed to expand its production capacity from 17,000 tonnes to 30,000 tonnes annually. TNA Solutions provided a comprehensive solution that included the installation of a high-performance potato chip line, a state-of-the-art pellet frying system, and an extensive distribution, seasoning, and packaging system.
Eric Geling, Chief Sales Officer at TNA Solutions, emphasized the importance of timely execution: “Preziosi had a very short amount of time to plan and execute the project. Any delays would have impacted the company’s private label contracts. However, working with a complete solutions partner greatly minimized the risk during the installation phase. Our objective was to ensure that each machine delivers on its promise, from the highest output level to the lowest downtime.”
Advanced Technology for Increased Efficiency
TNA’s high-performance potato chip line includes washing, cutting, frying, distribution, seasoning, and high-speed packaging, allowing Preziosi to process up to 1,500 kg of potatoes per hour. The installation of cutting-edge pellet frying equipment increased the line capacity to 600 kg per hour, replacing Preziosi’s existing fryer.
The TNA continuous frying system utilizes patented opti-flow technology to ensure batch consistency and reduce rejects. By lowering the out-feed temperature of the fryer’s oil to 150°C with a double heat-exchanger, the system reduces acrylamide production, enhances color intensity, and produces a crunchier product.
Arnaud Jansse, TNA’s application engineer, leveraged his 30 years of experience to fine-tune the frying process at Preziosi’s Food Technology Centre. “Ensuring each product delivered was as perfect as it could be was our top priority,” Jansse explained. Additionally, the implementation of TNA’s roflo vibratory and horizontal conveyor systems minimized product breakages, increasing distribution speeds and maintaining product integrity.
Smooth Transitions and High-Speed Packaging
Multiple TNA on-machine seasoning systems (OMS) were deployed to allow smooth product transitions and simplify operations for several products simultaneously. This capability ensured that Preziosi could continue to exceed market demand while maintaining high product quality.
The installation also included five new industry-leading TNA robag packaging systems, which further enhanced packaging speed and efficiency. This comprehensive approach ensured that Preziosi could meet its production goals without halting or slowing down existing operations.
Lorenzo Caporaletti, President and CEO of Preziosi Food, praised the partnership: “Despite several challenges, including the need to keep production going while navigating a complex installation process, with help from TNA, we managed to overcome these hurdles while also achieving steady growth of over 20%. Our requirements were not only cutting-edge technology; we also wanted to manage the installation and improve the plant within a strict 12-month period without stopping or slowing production. It required a lot of creative thinking from both sides.”
The collaboration between Preziosi Food and TNA Solutions exemplifies how strategic partnerships and innovative solutions can drive significant advancements in food production. By integrating state-of-the-art technology and maintaining a focus on efficiency and quality, Preziosi successfully expanded its production capacity to meet the rising demand for snacks in Italy. This partnership not only strengthened Preziosi’s market position but also set a new standard for excellence in the snack food industry.