Designing food production processes to be ergonomic and hygienic

Simple mounting of foils in the packaging machine in use at the Altenburger Land dairy.

Secure filling processes in food production, even above shoulder height.

Transport of packaging boxes without effort using a lever system from Hovmand.

During the production and packaging of food, employees are exposed to high physical stresses daily: stirring kettles, tanks, canisters, and buckets, as well as various ingredients, must be transported, lifted, and filled. These processes endanger the health and safety of staff and also pose a potential risk to food safety. Ergonomics and hygiene go hand in hand with Hovmand's customizable handling equipment. The market leader for mobile handling and lifting devices will be exhibiting for the first time at Anuga FoodTec in Cologne in 2022 (Hall 7.1, Stand C-045).

From April 26 – 29, Hovmand will showcase its solutions for handling materials throughout the entire food manufacturing and packaging process at the leading trade fair for the international food and beverage industry. The flexible lifting devices from the Danish manufacturer provide effective support in handling ingredients and materials, increasing efficiency. They enable the transportation of canisters, buckets, and tanks, and can tilt, empty, or refill up to a height of 2.30 meters. Meat crates and other stacking containers can also be moved effortlessly and gently by a single person in this manner. This accelerates overall work processes, as multiple crates can be transported simultaneously by one person to the target location.

Efficiently load packaging machines

Loading packaging machines with fresh stretch and packaging films is also a physical challenge in many companies. Hovmand offers a solution with its flexible roll manipulators. These can be operated electrically or manually and bring film rolls to the desired height and position for insertion into the machine. This makes film roll changes faster and less frequent, as larger rolls can be used without overburdening employees physically.

Protection class IP66, manufactured according to GMP standards

Ensuring hygienic production processes is crucial for the food industry. Strict regulations apply and are regularly monitored. Hovmand's lifting devices provide an efficient form of support here, as the dangers of manual handling – spills, tripping, improper handling, etc. – are avoided. This increases safety in production and packaging. At the same time, less waste is produced because, for example, sensitive and expensive packaging materials are protected from improper manual handling.

All mobile lifting devices from Hovmand are available made of 100 percent electropolished stainless steel and manufactured according to GMP standards. They meet the high requirements for hygiene and cleaning in the food industry. As the only provider of mobile lifting devices, Hovmand's hoists and manipulators meet the protection class IP66. It is possible to retrofit the solutions to ATEX – for environments with specific explosion hazards (EX zones), such as processing fishmeal or other powders.

Reduce sick leave, prevent accidents

Hovmand's mobile lifting devices prevent jerky movements or unfavorable rotations of the spine, as well as unhealthy bending of the back under weight. An asymmetrical pressure distribution on the intervertebral discs can also be prevented. "Long-term, investing in the health of employees pays off. Sick leave and turnover decrease, and work becomes more efficient. This impacts the cost structure," says Sales Manager Simon Jakobsen of Hovmand GmbH. The use of lifting devices can prevent chronic complaints, accidents, and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among employees.