PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY Automating As the popularity of artisan bread grows, bakers large and small seek equipment that ramps up production without changing the product's quality, taste and appearance. BY HOLLY BRADLEY lthough the definition of "artisan" bread differs greatly depending upon who you're talking to, one thing is for sure: Artisan breads and rolls have entered the mainstream and will continue to increase in popularity. Intermediate to large wholesale bakers are entering into the market to remain competitive, and smaller operations with mostly hand labor are looking for ways to keep up with the increasing demand and competition. A Equipment manufacturers are aware of these needs and offer a variety of automated makeup systems at different levels to meet the needs of these bakers. "Our customers want to produce artisan bread but in the industrial way," said the president of the North American branch of a European-based equipment supplier. "Therefore, the equipment must give the same results of handmade bread." A German manufacturer added that its typical artisanproducing customers were not willing to sacrifice quality February 2006 / BAKING & SNACK / 69