Awarded for the most innovative pump/project installation or service introduced onto the market within the last 12 months, it came as no surprise when Sterling-SIHI were announced as the winners of this prestigious award. After all, the company’s bespoke Flash Cooling solution at Soreen Bakery did encompass previous award winner, SIHIdry (Energy & Environmental, 2006).

“Led by Shaun Hampson, the Sterling-SIHI team were selected as project partners, after a thorough evaluation process. Their team demonstrated a far-superior process knowledge, flexibility, and creative design thinking,” said Paul Tripp, Managing Director of Soreen Bakery.

“Soreen’s method of vacuum cooling is unique, and an essential part of enhanced production. Consequently, a bespoke system was necessary; and the Sterling-SIHI solution proved to be one of true ingenuity. Throughout the fully integrated project, the Sterling-SIHI team has operated very inobtrusively and professionally, in order to deliver a system that achieves far more than was initially promised.”

Sterling-SIHI were commissioned to replace an entire vacuum system on-site at Soreen, eliminating the existing cooling water system for effluent treatment, cooling, and maintenance reasons. Hygienic and quiet operation without acoustic hoods was also deemed necessary by the bakery, in order to promote an open and hygienic environment that could not harbour bacteria.

The project was installed, delivered, and producing vacuum 100% on time, within the four months given. Success of the installation has been measured on a number of levels. For example, the site now produces almost double the amount of loaves with less production and storage defects. In fact, to date, the vacuum system has experienced more than 30,000 cycles without problems.

The Pump Industry Awards are designed to endorse the best practice within the UK Pump Industry in the areas of supply, manufacture, and most importantly – innovation. Factors such as customer service, energy saving initiatives, industry recognition, technical expertise and companies’ manufacturing capabilities are all assessed.

Picture: (From left to right) Selina Scott, Shaun Hampson (MD, Sterling Fluid Systems (UK) Ltd), Paul Tripp (MD, Soreen), Jaclyn Kelly (Finance Director, Soreen), Shaun Licence (Habwood Technical Solutions Ltd) (Image: Sterling-SIHI)