Supermarket Perimeter - December 2021 - 55

INSIDER
TECHNOLOGY
Inventory management
OPERATIONS
Amped Kitchen
OVENS TO NAVIGATE
LABOR SHORTAGES
by Emily Park
IN TODAY'S CLIMATE, supply
chain and labor challenges
highlight the need to have topof-the-line
equipment that can
help commissaries and other
third-party kitchens that supply
grocery retailers continue to
meet customer needs.
" The current supply chain
challenge really underscores
the need for selecting reliable
equipment along with suppliers
who can deliver and support their
equipment in a timely manner, "
said Michael Mathis, sales
development manager of Baxter
Manufacturing. " Some domestic
oven manufacturers have relied
heavily on sourcing overseas and
now are paying the price with
unthinkable lead times. Operators
need to make smart choices to
ensure their equipment is reliable
and stays up and running or risk
being down for weeks due to
a delayed part being sourced
overseas. "
The current situation, Mathis
noted, has exposed just how
vulnerable some manufacturers
are and the need for operators
to do their homework prior to
purchasing.
On top of supply chain
challenges, labor shortages
have highlighted the need for
user-friendly equipment that
can simplify training of new
employees, and help facilities
depend less on human labor and
more on automation there won't
be a shortage of.
When it comes to ovens,
Mathis highlighted that it's vital to
build versatility into production
operations.
" One major challenge many
operators face is what type and
size of oven to choose, " he said.
" Choosing the right equipment
is key to proper production
capacity and efficient operations.
Many facilities have production
schedules that often vary
throughout the year so it's even
more important to have flexibility
in production. Production
capacity is key, but versatility
must be considered as well. "
Mathis pointed out that rack
ovens often fit the bill by offering
facilities multiple size choices.
Single rack ovens can hold as
many as 20 sheet pans, while
double racks can hold up to 40.
Rack ovens also offer steaming
capabilities that play a major
role in turning out the right
consistency in many baked goods.
Easy to operate
Due to staffing shortages,
operators are often shifting
employee responsibilities to
include areas they might not be
fully trained in. To bridge this
gap, oven equipment must be
intuitive to operate and program,
Mathis said.
" Simple controls that are easy
to operate or intuitive Smart
supermarketperimeter.com
Controls help in cross training
and in the overall operations of
ovens, " Mathis said. " Programing
capability is also a key feature
that operators are valuing. By
requiring employees to use set
programs, operators can get
consistent results from one
employee to the next. "
In early 2021, Baxter
introduced the new OV520G
double rack oven with Smart
Touch controller. The OV520G
double rack oven offers high
Baxter's double rack ovens can
hold to 40 sheet pans.
DECEMBER 2021 - 55
BAXTER
http://www.supermarketperimeter.com
Supermarket Perimeter - December 2021

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