ESE Q5 Designed to Save Food Manufacturers Time, Money

MARSHFIELD, WIS. (Dec. 21, 2007) -- When it comes to processing cheese, every percentage of product moisture counts.

A processed cheese plant facing the challenge of maximizing their product moisture percentages while still remaining within customer specifications found success with the new Q5 laboratory analyzer from Engineering Solutions Experts (ESE).

ESE, a process automation engineering company based in Marshfield, Wis., recently launched the Q5, which provides timely and accurate sample moisture determination straight from the production floor by using near infrared transmission.

By using the Q5, the client was able to receive accurate moisture results in five seconds, according to Beth Schwertel, a technical support analyst with ESE. The time saved in sample testing allowed the cheese plant to slightly adjust its moisture set point and save the company more than $200,000 a year, Schwertel said.

"The Q5 works very fast. In the food industry, it's important to make any necessary changes in real time. The Q5 allows companies to do just that," she said. "For food manufacturers, it's essential they hit their necessary targets with the lowest deviation possible. That produces a healthy bottom line and provides consistency in their production of the food products."

The industry-leading Q5 combines the latest in NIR testing technology with ESE's own Process Optimizer software. The Q5 is not only easy to use, but also engineered to use no moving parts, which helps ensure the accuracy and repeatability of all sample measurements, Schwertel said.

Not only does the Q5 save time, it also saves space. A single machine measures all types of samples including liquids, solids, viscous slurries and powders and the newest version is 60 percent smaller than earlier models.

"The Q5 is so small, it doesn't take up a lot of space, which is great for labs. It also tests for multiple constituents at one time such as fat, moisture and protein. There's no need for separate machines," Schwertel said.

ESE President Tom Walther said the development of the Q5 continues ESE's mission to provide food manufacturers with the best automation and analytical solutions available.

"We're committed to providing superior process automation to our customers that integrates innovative analytical solutions into a plant's control system. The Q5 product analyzer is a prime example of our commitment to this focus," he said.

"Our team of analytical technicians helps set ESE apart. We make sure a company's staff is trained right after receiving the Q5," he said.

ESE has been providing food and dairy product manufacturers' production capacity and profit improvement system solutions utilizing Rockwell Automation controls and instrumentation for more than 20 years. For more information, visit www.ese1.com.