2011 is a milestone year for GEA Convenience-Food Technologies (GEA CT - formerly CFS) in Bakel, the Netherlands. It is both the 50th anniversary of Koppens - one of the first meat processing brands of CFS - as well as the year in which the company became part of the GEA group. To celebrate this, a series of events took place in Bakel with the appropriate theme ‘History MEATS Future'.

A proud heritage
This year is the golden anniversary of the innovative company founded by the Koppens family. It all began in 1961 when Wim and Nelly Koppens started to manufacture steel and wrought iron products in Bakel, a rural village in the Netherlands. They quickly became pioneers in production of equipment for the emerging snack food production industry, and by the end of the decade, the rapidly growing company focused exclusively on stainless steel equipment for meat processing. The many innovative contributions to meat processing include the very first machines for mechanized production of skinless sausage snacks (called ‘frikandels' in the Netherlands). Today, millions of these Dutch delicacies are still produced daily based on the same technique. Similarly, the hugely popular chicken nuggets sold via global fast food restaurants all pass through a machine pioneered by Koppens and now made by GEA CT.

2011 is also an important year for the Bakel site because the first preparation machines (grinders and mixers) left the factory gates bound for customers around the world. This in addition to the well established marination and meat processing equipment (formers, coaters, fryers, cookers).

Customer seminars
A week full of celebrations was kicked off with two ‘Modern Sausage Technology' customer seminars. Held in English and German, the seminars gave over 150 invited guests a complete update on fermented and emulsified sausage manufacture from GEA food technologists and product specialists, as well as leading experts in the field. The state-of-the-art Technology Center in Bakel was the setting for presenting GEA equipment for sausage production, including live demonstrations of rapid defrosting, grinding, fat analysis, mixing and bowl cutting. Skin stuffing and smoking techniques were also demonstrated by industry partners. The attendees witnessed the whole process for a Wiener sausage type and the preparation of Lyoner and Mortadella sausage types. The reaction from the guests was positive, and the events were appreciated as a personalized way to strengthen the customer-supplier relationship.

"It was time well spent, an excellent seminar, a great hands-on
opportunity, and a chance to meet the people behind the products" Seminar attendee

The companies that have merged and been acquired over the years to become GEA CT have a long and respected tradition in sausage making, a consideration that is sometimes lost as a result of company name changes and takeovers. In fact, the heritage brands (Wolfking, Krämer & Grebe) that merged to become GEA CT have a collective total of over 300 years' experience in the meat processing industry, starting with the industry's first industrial-scale bowl cutters and continuing today with market-leading equipment for cooking, defrosting and marination. The attendees left the seminar with no doubts that innovation still thrives.

Following the seminars, a number of customers and other leading figures in the convenience food industry were invited for the official celebration of 50 years' processing performance in Bakel. The distinguished guests included co-founder Nelly Koppens and Niels Graugaard, Chief Operations Officer of the GEA Group, and speakers from the European Parliament, VION, and Crisp Sensation. In a spontaneous father-daughter intermezzo about the relationship between Koppens/CFS/GEA CT and Dalco - a customer from the early years and still one today - the founder of Dalco said, "We dream our dreams together and make them come true."

A look into the company's ‘kitchen'
After the customer seminars, the company's suppliers were also treated to an overview of the capabilities plus a summary of Koppens' proud history. As the company grows, the suppliers are taking a more active role in co-developing new products and sharing the responsibility for delivering quality. So by giving them a look into the ‘kitchen', they have a much better idea of where GEA CT is heading. The 50th anniversary of Koppens is naturally important to the employees. Many have been with the company for decades and have seen it evolve from a family business to a multinational concern and now of course, part of the successful GEA group. So commemorating the golden anniversary of Koppens was a proud moment in the on-going history.

A powerful combination
The acquisition by GEA was also finalized in 2011. Brian McCluskie, head of GEA CT and the man who lead CFS into the deal, said, "GEA and CFS is an extremely powerful combination. We share common ground in terms of engineering excellence, market coverage and customer-driven innovation. I am confident that the consolidation will enable us to establish strong leadership in meat and protein processing and packaging. We're now part of a four billion euro technology company with 50% of its business in food and beverage. This gives us access to resources for growth." He continued, "Acquisition of leading brands in their respective fields has been part of our successful growth. But we have also experience sustained organic growth in existing as well as new markets by adding value for our customers. We consistently develop equipment and processes that have a measurable impact on yield, productivity, quality, flexibility and cost effectiveness of our customers' businesses."

Quelle: Gea