Turning the impossible into a global solution

For decades, solid blocks of butter were regarded as impossible to pump efficiently, limiting opportunities for automation within food manufacturing.

Working with long-standing client BestPump, Kirkton Controls helped transform an ambitious concept into a commercially successful solution by designing, building and commissioning the electrical control system for a pioneering butter pumping machine.

Developed around BestPump’s vision of ‘pumping the unpumpable’, the innovative system breaks down solid blocks of butter before transferring the product through a controlled pumping process, allowing it to be transported, processed and packaged with greater efficiency. What began as a one-off engineering challenge has become BestPump’s standard butter pumping solution, with systems now operating around the world.

Jacek from Kirkton Controls, commented: “BestPump came to us with a unique challenge and a mechanical design for a machine that had never been built before. Our remit was to develop a reliable control system capable of managing the entire process safely and efficiently.

From the outset, the project drew on the expertise of our entire team. Our electrical engineers produced the control system design and drawings before our manufacturing team built the control panel in-house. Working closely with BestPump throughout, we developed a solution that controls the pumps, augers and conveyor while monitoring pressure and product levels with integrated safety features including guard switches, alarms and beacons.

Our installation team then fitted the panel onto the skid assembly before our software engineers completed testing and commissioning to ensure everything performed exactly as intended. Having all of these capabilities under one roof meant we could deliver a cost-effective, reliable and easy-to-maintain solution, and the success of the original machine has since led to many more being manufactured for customers across the world.”

Tommy Leigh, Operations Director at The Carbon Removers said: “Kirkton Controls provided a great service from the initial design phase through to commissioning. Their flexible and collaborative approach throughout the project ensured the system was completed on time and in budget”.

Working closely with Gary and Jeff at BestPump throughout the project, Kirkton Controls brought together its design, manufacturing, installation and software teams to deliver a cost-effective, reliable and easy-to-maintain solution that has become the company’s go-to product for pumping butter.