Case Study

Control upgrades that bear fruit

Wilkin and Sons is globally famous for its high-quality Tiptree branded jams and preserves.

Established by the Wilkin family the company, which is based in Essex, remains family-owned and operates from the same farm where it began fruit growing in 1885. It has held a Royal Warrant since 1911.

As with all top food manufacturers, Wilkin and Sons is committed to quality and high production standards which comes from blending tradition with maintaining and investing in the most modern and efficient production techniques and processes.

Tiptree Jam production line

As part of the team that designed and installed an upgrade to the cook plant that included fillers and cooking vessels to pasteurisers and ultimately the bottling plant, Kirkton Controls worked collaboratively with the project’s mechanical engineers to create an effective control system that connected each stage of the production process. This allowed Wilkin and Sons’ production team to seamlessly alternate between different product manufacturing schedules making its range of products more efficiently.

Tiptree Jam control panel

Calum at Kirkton Controls described the project: “Wilkin and Sons is known around the world for the quality of its Tiptree jams and they are always innovating and seeking the best ways to manufacture their range of products. Our experience over many years in the food industry of designing and installing control systems meant that we were delighted to be part of the team to upgrade their cook plant.

Part of the challenge on such a large project meant it had to be phased over an extended period with each part delivered over three or four months. Each element required our team to be on site and working closely with the business and the other engineers over twelve months.”

tiptree

Project Location:
Wilkin & Sons Ltd.
Brook Rd, Tiptree, Colchester CO5 0RF

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