Snacks
The snack industry thrives on variety, speed, and efficiency. Consumers expect innovative flavors, diverse packaging formats, and consistent quality – all while manufacturers face the pressure of high-speed production, short product lifecycles, and ever-changing market demands. At Sharpe Engineering, we help producers optimize operation, reduce waste, and integrate flexible solutions without sacrificing quality.
Crunch Time? We Solve, You Scale
Snack production starts with precise ingredient flow, blending, and integration into further process – whether in batch or continuous systems. Poor ingredient control leads to inconsistencies and waste. Sharpe’s experience in both dry ingredient handling and liquid ensures that the systems we design are reliable, accurate, and efficient.
- Ingredient Delivery: Bulk storage, metering, and transfer systems tailored to your formulation needs
- Mixing Precision: Specification and vetting of the optimal mixing method – high-shear, ribbon, fluidizing paddle, or tumble – for uniform product with minimal damage
- Process Integration: Experience with extrusion, frying, baking, or other downstream systems
- Allergen Control: Segregation, sequencing strategies, and CIP of appropriate systems
Cooking: Fry, Bake, Extrude
Each cooking method demands precise control over temperature, moisture, and processing time to achieve the perfect texture and consistency. Our team ensures seamless integration with:
- Frying – Oil management, filtration, and temperature control for crisp, consistent products
- Baking – Even airflow and controlled moisture removal for ideal texture and shelf stability
- Extrusion – High-pressure processing for formed, puffed, or shaped snacks
Seasoning, Coating
Uniform application of seasonings, glazes, or coatings can make or break product quality. We engineer systems that control application rates, reduce overspray and buildup, and ensure consistent product coverage tailored to your process rates.
- Auger-Based Seasoning Dispensers – Precise powder dosing for consistent flavor distribution
- Vibratory Scarf Plate Feeders – Ensures even seasoning spread across moving product
- Electrostatic Application – Uses charged particles for improved adhesion and reduced ingredient loss
- Tumble Drums & Oilers – Ensures uniform coating, with oil sprayers enhancing stick rates as needed
Packaging
Snack packaging lines demand flexibility, speed, and hygienic design to meet consumer expectations and regulatory standards. We integrate systems that:
- Accommodate multiple formats – Bags, pouches, multipacks, and rigid containers
- Ensure seamless changeovers – Fast transitions between SKUs without excess downtime
- Support efficient sanitation – Designed with easily removable components for quick, effective cleaning without disrupting production
Ready to speak with our team of experts?
Feel free to give us a call, email, or fill out a short inquiry— let’s complete your project together.