Packaging Projects

Sharpe has done significant work in implementing projects for the packaging of food products. Our experiences range from (literally) soup to nuts and we have worked with a wide variety of packages, containers and materials.

Again, it is important to remember that Sharpe does not represent specific manufacturers of equipment nor do we promote our own lines of equipment. Rather, we work in the best interests of our customer to implement a line/project that best suits the needs of the application.

Some of the industries that we have worked in include:

Cheese Products
Snack Foods
Frozen Potatoes
Vegetable (frozen and cooked)
Poultry products (patties/nuggets)
Sliced meats
Wide varieties of specialty food products/packages

While each project is always somewhat unique, there are some aspects of these projects that help us best determine how to work with your packaging project. Following are some services that we have offered to successfully complete packaging projects for customers.

Preliminary/Concept Engineering

Most often we start a project with a package defined but the equipment/line layout unknown. We will review any concepts that you have and help develop them into a real project plan that includes a layout, budget and defined project parameters. Some projects start with major pieces of equipment specified and we need to work with the integration part of the project. Others simply know what they want to package and the space that is available.

In either case, we believe that a defined project plan is the basis for any project. We can usually accomplish this in a short period of time and with minimal expense. Even a small packaging project should start with a few days of layout options, consideration and agreement before moving forward. Budgets and timeframes then can be defined as part of a working project plan. Again, this can be a simple step and can happen very quickly. Whether you use Sharpe Engineering to assist in this part of the project or not, please don't overlook this aspect of the project. It's important.

Equipment Specification and Project Costs

Sharpe Engineering can provide detailed equipment specifications and procure all vendor proposals on your behalf (including electrical integration and mechanical installation) as part of the project. Again, we do not "sell" any specific lines of equipment and can work with vendors of your selection or assist in that selection. All equipment required for integration would be included (as well as equipment options) and a hard project budget can be the result of this work.

We have also completed a wide variety of "Turnkey" projects, where Sharpe Engineering submits a bid for the project and is responsible for the procurement and integration of all of the equipment on the line. We will provide a well defined project plan to ensure that we approach the project to meet the needs of your application.

We would be glad to review a potential project and further discuss how we might best work with your company to make sure that this is done as efficiently and beneficial to the plant as possible. Our goal is to discuss this as candidly and objectively as possible to help you make the best decisions for your organization.

Project Management

Sharpe Engineering will manage the project through installation and start-up. Some of this discussed in the "project management" portion of this website, but generally means that we take care of all of the details of the project integration. That includes working with all contractors, schedules, budgets, equipment details, plant personnel, etc. Some aspects of the service that make Sharpe unique are:

1. The ability to modify and work with your existing equipment
We have our own mechanical shop and can modify equipment to suit your or the project needs. This may be equipment that you currently possess or equipment purchased specifically for this project.

2. Working exclusively in food processing has given us a better understanding of the equipment used and also about the handling of food products. We believe that this is vital implementation of a food packaging project.

3. The ability to use our installation personnel
While we do have our own crews to complete the installation, we can also work with contractors of your choice and manage the project.

Summary

Sharpe Engineering works from concept planning through integration and check out in the best interests of the project owner. We do not "sell" any specific lines of equipment and work with you to complete the project successfully. We can provide turnkey proposals or just do some of the engineering or installation aspects of the project. Contact us at your convenience if we can review any projects (or currently problems) that you might have. We will do our best to help your plant succeed.