FPS Food Process Solutions Celebrates World Food Day 2020
FPS Food Process Solutions Celebrates World Food Day 2020
October 16, 2020 – Vancouver, BC - The Covid-19 global health crisis is a time for us to reflect on what we truly cherish and our most basic need - food. FPS celebrates World Food Day on October 16, 2020 by calling on sustainable food systems to reduce food waste.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the world has made significant progress in improving food systems however food waste still remains an issue. In fact, 1.3 billion tonnes of food production is wasted every year. As an industrial freezer manufacturer, FPS contributes to the reduction of food waste through innovative freezing technology. Frozen foods have always been around, where consumers buy and consume only what they need, thereby reducing the amount of food wasted. Freezing reduces food waste by prolonging the products’ shelf life, as well as reducing chemical reactions and microbial growth. In fact, by focusing on eliminating contamination during the freezing process, the resulting product maintains quality, taste and nutritional value.
Our FPS Food Heroes
At FPS, employees from all walks of life from around the world have one thing in common - passion for the food industry. To help celebrate World Food Day, FPS is proud to participate by recognizing some of our heroes through their stories.
Meet Jodie Zhao, Sales and Marketing, Canada, a recent food science graduate from the University of British Columbia. Jodie’s philosophy in food is akin to her love of music – “I started playing piano as a young girl and this same passion to explore my creative side, gives me the same drive to explore food concepts to the fullest.” While studying and living in Canada, she was particularly surprised in the abundance of food available in the country as well as the amount of food wasted. Not only is consumer consumption behaviour a major challenge in combating efforts to reduce food waste, but poor preservation techniques have also contributed to additional costs to the consumer, not to mention to the detriment of the environment. "I learned from my grandparents their love of food and how important it is to family. If I can take what I have learned and do something about it, I can help others.”
Marcos Nardin, Project Management, Canada, studied mechanical engineering and design in both Brazil and Canada. Passionate about food safety and hygiene, Marcus spent 12 years in the food processing industry, learning different approaches to hygiene standards throughout the food chain. “When I first came to Canada, I was amazed at how diverse the people were and their openness to others. I had heard of FPS when I was living in Brazil and saw this as an opportunity to bring my experience in project management in the food processing industry to this country.” So why food? “Why not?” says Marcos, “The world needs good quality food.
“The world needs good quality food.”
Richard Quelo, Sales Manager, France and Southern Europe, reminisces of his days growing up in the family’s bakery business as a young boy. “I remember helping my father, cleaning the shop and smelling fresh baked bread and croissants. Born in Nantes in Western France, Richard started his career in the food industry as a sales representative at a Dutch brewery. In fact, Western France represents ¼ of France’s agro-related jobs including food processing industries. Reflecting on his network of long-term grocery, retail and food distribution contacts, Richard knows that the quality of the equipment used to process food plays a huge role in consumer confidence. Says Richard, “Food is in my genes. I am passionate about working in one of the best industries. People deserve high quality food.”
Jack Zhang, Project Manager, China, has a long history developing his career in the industrial machinery sector. Starting with his first job out of college, Jack made a point to learn everything he could about the company but always knew he could go on to bigger and better things. “Food hygiene standards affects everyone. I want to do my small part to help communities that do not have access to good, quality food a better chance,” says Jack. When he first joined FPS earlier this year, he felt emboldened by the company’s mission to set a very high standard in food hygiene. “Customers in China are quite keen in advances in technology that can help their industry. By focusing on the domestic market, I feel quite honoured to make a contribution to China’s food industry and in turn, help make an impact in reducing food waste.”
“Food hygiene standards affects everyone.”
Rianne Jansen van Rosendaal, Project Manager, Netherlands, emphasizes the importance of good food leads to good health. As a personal trainer and nutritionist, Rianne quickly utilized her skills in educating her customers in the importance of food safety and hygiene, especially in reducing food waste through freezing. “People think frozen food has a negative connotation. In fact, by freezing food and storing food the right way, it still retains its nutritional value, not to mention the life span of the food product. In Europe, we eat healthy meals but everyone should be aware of what you buy. By only buying what you need, you don’t need to throw away food. It’s better for our planet.”
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New FPS Video Celebrates the work of the Processing Industry During The Pandemic
Richmond, BC – FPS Food Processes Solutions has just released a video acknowledging and celebrating the critical work role food processing plays in our society.
COVID-19 continues to create enormous stress on our society and our industry in particular. While some industries shut down, the food processing industry has persevered – because there is no other option. Within weeks of the outbreak, the concept of essential became crystal clear. Safe, clean, processed food is ESSENTIAL.
Based in Canada, our work of building and maintaining equipment is done mostly in the background. However, we are acutely aware of the inter-connected global effort that it takes to bring food to market. Without food processors, producers such as farmers and fisherman could not get their goods to market. We - all of us - are the difference between access to food and empty store shelves. FPS is proud to be part of an industry that has met and continues to rise to meet this challenge.
"From its inception, FPS has been driven to create equipment with the absolute highest level of hygienic standards. So, while the pandemic has altered how we work, it has reaffirmed our mission and reinforced our sense of pride in our industry," states Justin Lai, FPS VP of Marketing & Sales.
"We created this video to say thank you to all of the partners that stand alongside us in delivering safe food to people and families across the globe. We couldn't do what we do without them," explains Lai.
As we continue to face the issues brought on by the pandemic, we also look to other challenges including climate change, food waste and hygienic production. FPS is confident that collectively through innovation, collaboration and ongoing investment, our industry will rise to meet any challenge.
ABOUT FPS Food Process Solutions:
Who We Are
FPS Food Process Solutions is based in Richmond, BC, Canada about 5 miles away from Vancouver. We maintain sheet metal fabrication, a machine shop, specialized insulated enclosure manufacturing and control panel assembly in-house so each component is specifically designed for freezing and cooling applications. We believe that investing on in-house manufacturing ensures our customers receive the highest quality and best technologies in their freezing and cooling equipment.
FPS has a combined 304,500 sq. ft (28,000 sq. meters) of space, including our headquarters, 5 manufacturing facilities, international sales offices and a US based parts & service center.
Our Vision is to Revolutionize Hygienic Standards
We use the most leading-edge technology and innovation to move our industry forward. Our focus on hygiene is the foundation for safe food production. Our purpose is to revolutionize the food processing industry, and ensure the safest and cleanest global food production for all.
Our Mission is to Set a New Standard
We invest in our people and partners. We believe the best results come from strong collaborations. We aim to raise the bar in our field by providing close client relationships, offer outstanding levels of service, and implement global hygienic standards. We believe that together, we will set a new standard.
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For more information contact:
Justin Lai, Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Phone: 604 232-4145 x 1110
sales@fpscorp.ca
FPS Food Process Solutions Innovation Pushes Spiral Freezers to New Widths
Richmond, BC – In late 2019, FPS opened its fourth plant and new R&D Department in Richmond, BC, Canada. The 73,000 sq. ft facility is integral to FPS’ mission to Set a New Standard and to deliver innovative new products to the industry. One of the first products developed at the new facility is the 72-inch (1.8m) wide belt Spiral Freezer - the widest spiral freezer ever constructed.
This Spiral Freezer, designed in partnership with Intralox, features a newly developed 72-inch wide plastic acetal belt with Intralox’s DirectDrive™ Technology. The conveyor system span is 38 ft (11.6m) wide from the outside belt edge to belt edge. This extra-wide system will have capacities upwards of 10,000 kg/hour of product freezing. The first system built will be shipped out in Fall 2020.
“Currently there are only belts of 60” width in the market, the introduction of a 72” is a significant jump and sets FPS apart. When designing this wider spiral, we wanted the freezer line to match higher capacity upstream equipment which are already up to 6 feet wide - thereby greatly improving overall processing efficiency,” states Jeffrey Chang, FPS President.
The 72” Spiral will also provide the following critical benefits:
Elimination of spreading shakers and/or merging conveyors upstream to accommodate narrower spiral belts
Minimization of transfer points — less product loss
Less product movement — less product damage
Product alignment
This new freezer will be ideal for customers with height limitations in their facilities and wider ovens and fryers upstream. It is suitable for a wide range of products such as chopped and formed vegetable and potato products, and bakery lines.
FPS is currently celebrating its tenth year in business and its drive to lead the industry has already made it one of the world’s leading suppliers of cooling and freezing equipment. At the heart of this growth has been a passion for revolutionizing hygienic standards and for working collaboratively with clients to develop groundbreaking solutions to industry challenges.
With the new R&D centre, FPS will expand its capacity to develop new technologies and products. Currently, FPS is also rolling out the Spiral Immersion System – a game-changing freezing technology that utilizes fluid instead of air to freeze products 20-80% faster.
ABOUT FPS Food Process Solutions:
Who We Are
FPS Food Process Solutions is based in Richmond, BC, Canada about 5 miles away from Vancouver. We maintain sheet metal fabrication, a machine shop, specialized insulated enclosure manufacturing and control panel assembly in-house so each component is specifically designed for freezing and cooling applications. We believe that investing on in-house manufacturing ensures our customers receive the highest quality and best technologies in their freezing and cooling equipment.
FPS has a combined 304,500 sq. ft (28,000 sq. meters) of space, including our headquarters, 5 manufacturing facilities, international sales offices and a US based parts & service center.
Our Vision is to Revolutionize Hygienic Standards
We use the most leading-edge technology and innovation to move our industry forward. Our focus on hygiene is the foundation for safe food production. Our purpose is to revolutionize the food processing industry, and ensure the safest and cleanest global food production for all.
Our Mission is to Set a New Standard
We invest in our people and partners. We believe the best results come from strong collaborations. We aim to raise the bar in our field by providing close client relationships, offer outstanding levels of service, and implement global hygienic standards. We believe that together, we will set a new standard.
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Letter to our customer on COVID-19
Dear Valued Customer,
FPS Food Process Solutions is actively monitoring the COVID-19 situation and its impacts on business and society.
We have built our company on revolutionizing hygienic standards and are putting that knowledge effectively to use, now more than ever, to protect our customers and employees.
In addition to our usual hygiene practices we are implementing more stringent protective measures:
・Working from home (for employees who can)
・Prohibiting visitors to the facilities
・Social distancing of 2 meters (6 ft)
・Additional sanitization of all facilities
・Additional hand sanitization stations
We are closely monitoring our employees and should any of them, or their family members, experience symptoms, they will be required to be in quarantine immediately for a minimum of 14 days. All staff who have travelled outside of the country are also self-isolated.
In Canada, industrial manufacturing is deemed an essential service; we will continue to operate as usual. Currently, we do not anticipate any disruptions to the service we provide to our customers, this includes our regional service teams which will continue to be available to you. Reminder of our 24-hour service and support hotline: +1 (877) 710-8660.
At a challenging time like this, we are all acutely aware of the importance of safe food production and the role we collectively play in the food supply chain. Our senior management team will continue to work to ensure that all of us can continue to provide this essential service.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Chang
President
FPS Food Process Solutions Celebrates Extraordinary Growth with the Grand Opening of its Fourth Richmond Facility.
Richmond, BC – On Friday, December 6, 2019, FPS Food Process Solutions (FPS) is celebrating the Grand Opening of their fourth facility in Richmond.
FPS is a phenomenal business success story. The recent winner of a BC Export Award is a nine-year-old, Richmond based company that has had 50% growth over each of the past three years. In less than ten years, FPS has grown to 450+ employees, 100 million in sales and has sales service offices in Europe, Asia and South America.
FPS produces turnkey industrial freezing and cooling equipment for the food processing industry. This newest 73,000 sq. Ft. facility will provide expanded manufacturing space with a small R&D center; and will employ an additional 50 people.
“This latest facility will help us meet the growing demand for our products, and we are so grateful that so many of our leaders, clients and partners will join us in the celebration,” said FPS President, Jeffery Chang.
“The opening of Food Process Solutions’ new manufacturing plant is a real made-in-B.C. success story,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology. “FPS’ exponential growth in recent years has created hundreds of jobs both locally and internationally. Congratulations on the opening of your latest facility and the new jobs and opportunities it is bringing to the community.”
In attendance, will be Minister Bruce Ralston, Minister George Chow, Mayor Malcolm Brodie, MLA Jas Johal, MLA John Yap and City of Richmond Councilor Alexa Loo.
The celebration will include a ribbon-cutting and buffet lunch. There will be approximately 500 people in attendance.
ABOUT FPS Food Process Solutions:
Who We Are
FPS Food Process Solutions is based in Richmond, BC, Canada about 5 miles away from Vancouver. We maintain sheet metal fabrication, a machine shop, specialized insulated enclosure manufacturing and control panel assembly in-house so each component is specifically designed for freezing and cooling applications. We believe that investing on in-house manufacturing ensures our customers receive the highest quality and best technologies in their freezing and cooling equipment.
FPS has a combined 28,000 sq. meters (304,500 sq.Ft) of space, including our headquarters, 5 manufacturing facilities, international sales offices and a US based parts & service center.
Our Vision is to Revolutionize Hygienic Standards
We use the most leading-edge technology and innovation to move our industry forward. Our focus on hygiene is the foundation for safe food production. Our purpose is to revolutionize the food processing industry, and ensure the safest and cleanest global food production for all.
Our Mission is to Set a New Standard
We invest in our people and partners. We believe the best results come from strong collaborations. We aim to raise the bar in our field by providing close client relationships, offer outstanding levels of service, and implement global hygienic standards. We believe that together, we will set a new standard.
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For more information contact:
Sunny Lo - Senior Manager, Global Business Development
FPS Food Process Solutions Corp.
Phone: +1-604-232-4145 Ext 1136, Cell: 236-886-2907
sunny.lo@fpscorp.ca