16 October 2024
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From left, Neill McCourt of Keep It Cool Refrigeration with Molly James, Beth James and Tom James of Dunstaple Farm
A Devon farm which is home to an award-winning ice cream brand is benefitting from the first installation outside Japan of a Panasonic 20HP CO₂ cold chain condensing unit.
Dunstaple Farm, near Holsworthy, needed to replace its existing blast freezing set-up with a more reliable, sustainable and energy efficient solution to reduce its carbon footprint and increase productivity.
The new system was installed by Bideford-based Keep It Cool Refrigeration, with support from Panasonic and Mervin Chumun, Technical & Applications Manager for distributor Hawco.
Farmer Tom’s Ice Cream was established more than 25 years ago at the farm by Tom James. Now working with his two daughters, Beth and Molly, along with eight colleagues and chief taste tester Ted the dog, around 15,000 litres of ice cream in 45 different flavours are produced weekly during the summer season, using Devon cream and milk.
The business extended its cold room facilities 18 months ago, installing two Panasonic 10HP LT CO₂ systems in a new low temperature ice cream cold store. Impressed with the energy efficiency, reliability and sustainability of the Panasonic units, it was decided to replace another low temperature system used for blast freezing the ice cream with a similar unit. Tom James said: “The new 20HP Panasonic unit has not only helped to increase our energy efficiency but has additionally increased our productivity by reducing the time it takes to freeze the ice cream by as much as six hours each day.”
Neil McCourt, Technical Manager at Keep It Cool, knew that Panasonic had recently launched a new 20HP cold chain unit, which met with Dunstaple Farm’s requirements and further complemented the two Panasonic 10HP units already in operation. He said: “As a business we have extensive experience across a wide range of customers when using refrigerant R744 (CO₂) technology and have great confidence in the adaptability and reliability of the Panasonic solution, making this an easy choice for Dunstaple Farm.
“The Panasonic units are very reliable and provide a proven system that is easy to install and commission. All the equipment for the project was delivered on time, and ready for us to install. The installation process was straightforward, and the support provided by the Panasonic technical team was fantastic.”
The units are designed for both refrigerated and freezer cold rooms, as well as showcases and walk-in freezers. Panasonic says the technology has been developed for small to medium capacity applications within the retail and food service sectors and that the units are also capable of functioning in outdoor temperatures as low as -20ºC.
