Perfect Gingerbread With Loma Systems

As Belgium's largest manufacturer of gingerbreads, it is essential for Lebbeke-based Vondelmolen Bakery to guarantee its products reach the shelves contaminant-free and at the correct weight.

As Belgium's largest manufacturer of gingerbreads, it is essential for Lebbeke-based Vondelmolen Bakery to guarantee its products reach the shelves contaminant-free and at the correct weight.

When the company's existing metal detection machines needed replacing, Loma's 6000 series combined metal detector and checkweigher model was the obvious solution.

Established in 1867, the family company started producing gingerbread after the First World War and now, with a workforce of 80 at its factory in Lebbeke, Vondelmolen has a range of more than 80 different products including honey-cake, fruit-cake and organic varieties.

Mr Peter Dewachter explains: "We pride ourselves in being the market leader in Belgium and want to ensure that our products live up to this reputation.

With the installation of Loma's combined metal detector and checkweigher model, we can be confident that our customers will receive our products contaminant-free and at the correct weight.

Vondelmolen first turned to Loma in November 1998 in order to maintain the quality and consistency of its products.

A total of eight combined machines are now installed at the end of the production lines, inspecting finished products at weights ranging from 40-1000g before they are packed for distribution.

Since the installation of the Loma checkweigher technology, Vondelmolen has seen a significant improvement in weight control and, with the reliability and safety of the metal detector, has been able to confidently increase production capacity.

The accuracy of the checkweigher prevents any underweight product from reaching the customer.

The installation of the Loma machines has been a key factor in ensuring the safety of Vondelmolen's products and was essential in the company's achievement of HACCP certification at the end of 2001.

Peter Dewachter continues: "We were recommended to Loma by our contacts in the industry who already had Loma equipment installed.

The information was very positive and we chose the Loma 6000 combination machines because of the good quality build at an attractive price.

"We have been very pleased with our machines supplied by Loma and in particular with the levels of service we have received.

The machines are easy to handle and maintain and Loma are always available if any advice is needed.

As Vondelmolen seeks to maintain its growth, it plans to install Loma machines on all production lines to maintain the levels of quality that enabled it to achieve its position as one of the world's largest gingerbread manufacturers.

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