Seltzer Business Enhances Safety and Efficiency with a Sanitary Vacuum Conveyor
As a seltzer business expanded operations to meet growing demand, the company faced a critical challenge: how to safely and efficiently transfer large quantities of sugar into their brewing process. The previous method involved manually lifting 50-pound bags up stairs and dumping them into a mixing tank. This posed significant ergonomic hazards and took up valuable labor. To improve worker safety, streamline production, and reduce floor clutter, the team turned to automation. The solution? A sanitary vacuum conveyor from Vac-U-Max.
Choosing a Sanitary Vacuum Conveyor Over an Auger
Vacuum conveying systems use suction to move bulk materials like sugar through enclosed tubing, making them ideal for sanitary and space-constrained environments like beverage manufacturing. Unlike augers, which struggle with granular materials, the sanitary vacuum conveyor offered a reliable way to move sugar from storage to the mixing tank without manual lifting or disruption to the brewing area. “Tried and true is the way to go,” noted the Technical Director, who chose Vac-U-Max for its decades-long track record and proven technology.
Immediate Improvements
Vac-U-Max customized the system to meet the brewery’s specific needs. The pickup point for the conveyor was placed in a separate room to keep the production floor clear, while a stainless-steel wand was used to draw sugar from 2,000-pound supersacks. This setup replaced the labor-intensive process of handling dozens of 50-pound bags, reducing the task to a one-person operation. “One operator holding a wand is far better than two lifting and dumping 120 bags.”
This shift to a sanitary vacuum conveyor not only eliminated a safety hazard, but also freed up staff for other tasks and cleared out space previously blocked by pallets. The labor savings were immediate, but the long-term benefit was a more streamlined and professional operation. “The Vac-U-Max system is far more efficient overall. And their support was excellent throughout the installation and beyond.”
And Into the Future
Even two years after installation, the system continues to perform reliably. When filters began showing signs of blockage, the solution was simple: rinse with warm water and allow to dry. “The filters are robust and don’t need constant replacement,” the Technical Direct shared. “It’s a real workhorse: low maintenance, simple to use, and built to last.” For this seltzer company, investing in a sanitary vacuum conveyor was not just about automation. It was about building a safer, smarter brewery.
Interested in improving your production line? Call Apex today! We work directly with Vac-U-Max to solve your pain points.
