As featured in Food Manufacturing’s e-newsletter, Today in Food Mfg. and Manufacturing Business Technology
Supplying hamburger buns for the fast food giant McDonalds, the Turano Bakery facility in Orlando, FL must run an exceptional operation in order to bake a quality and consistent product that billions have come to expect.
For nearly half a century, the Turano family has followed European traditions to bake the freshest, highest quality artisan-style breads such as Ciabatta, Focaccia, Hearth-baked Peasant breads, and a variety of rolls. Sharing a favorite family recipe from past generations, they use authentic time honored techniques to ensure exceptional old world flavor in each and every bite. Their extensive line of specialty breads and rolls are delivered fresh daily throughout the Chicagoland area. In addition, Turano Breads can be found across the United States on a frozen basis through food distributors and top national restaurant chains.
The bakery’s state-of-the-art facility, equipped with an automated inspection system and wireless data communications program that allows plant management to adjust the operation as needed, even from home, give Turano the ability to produce approximately 1,100 soft buns a minute, which are then distributed to nearly a thousand McDonalds in the southeast. With such high expectations, there’s no room for error or downtime, even when it comes to maintenance.
According to Jeff Benny, Sanitation Manager, Turano Bakery initially used shop-style vacuums for general cleaning of excess flour that decorates virtually any size baking operation. Unfortunately, these low-cost commercial vacuums frequently overheated, sparked, and broke down, resulting in workers having to take more trips to the dumpster than cleaning their 100,000 sq. ft. facility. In fact, Jeff estimates they went through 6 to 10 shop-style vacuums in a 1 year period alone.
Fortunately, Jeff was familiar with Nilfisk Industrial Vacuums and his local Florida rep, Rick Stegbauer, from a previous job. Jeff reached out to Stegbauer, hoping he could visit the plant and assess their needs for a high-quality vacuum that could stand up to their cleaning challenges and not end up in the trash. Stegbauer immediately scheduled a visit to demonstrate several of Nilfisk’s food industry vacuum cleaners. After trying several of them out, Turano settled on the Nilfisk CFM 118, single-phase, portable vacuum cleaner, a favorite in the industry.
“Rick was just great,” said Jeff Benny. “Following the sale, he played an active role in making sure the vacuum was set up right and our staff knew how to use it. He conducted onsite demos and training that really showcased the capabilities of our new investment.”
Since purchasing the Nilfisk vacuum, Jeff is just amazed at how it has transformed cleaning in the plant.
“Our mechanics use it to clean around the Larramore flour reclaimer system, which manages the dusting flour before the buns enter the proof box. Cleaning the Larramore used to be a 2 hour job. Now, it is done in 45 minutes.”
Jeff’s team has also found many other uses for the Nilfisk vacuum, including the packaging area, which now only takes 2 hours to vacuum, compared to the previous method of messy blow down which could take a several hours. He also estimates that overall general cleaning of the facility has decreased from three hours down to an hour and a half in the makeup areas.
With so many quality assurance procedures to implement and daily tasks to complete, Jeff and the rest of the Turano Orlando team enjoy knowing they don’t have to worry about the vacuum cleaner failing.
“The Nilfisk CFM 118 fits right into the strict efficiency requirements of this Turano facility,” Jeff remarks. “It’s a dream come true.”
Want to read another Nilfisk CFM 118 success story in the food industry? Check out Curds and Whey: Nilfisk CFM 118 Combats Dusty Whey Powder.
Have you heard what Nilfisk customers are saying about us? Things like, “It has reduced our labor, it has helped us keep the plant clean, it has helped us in the fight to keep the dust down. We’re very happy with it.” or “the best vacs in the world!”
