In the framework of SupplySide West, SternMaid America will introduce itself as a flexible partner for contract blending and packaging
Organic products, baking ingredients, enzymes and proteins, dietetic drinks or specialties for athletes – the contract manufacturer’s state-of-the-art microblending plant can be used to meet all manner of different production requirements.
In addition, the company recently invested in a new blending line for pilot trials and sample quantities from 25 to 300 kg. The new line is due to be commissioned at the end of 2016.
SternMaid America is certified for the manufacture of organic products. Moreover, its food safety management system is certified according to FSSC 22000, which is fully recognised by GFSI and benchmarked to SQF Level 3. On a product-by-product basis, the company can also offer Kosher, Halal, non-GMO, gluten-free and/or vegan certified foods.
The company’s semi-automated microblending plant applies liquid components such as honey and MCT oil homogenously to powders in quantities from 0.01% to 60% of the formulation. Microcomponents such as flavours and emulsifiers are distributed very finely with a blending precision of 1:100,000.
In this way it is possible, for example, to add probiotics, vitamins and minerals to foods, but larger amounts of fats and highly viscous liquids such as lecithin can be fed in, too. Finally, the products are filled into large or small packs, just as the customer wishes. Moreover, the new pilot plant serves as an aid to developing new products or optimizing continuous quality monitoring of the production process.
Besides blending and filling, the contract manufacturer offers further customised services ranging from raw material purchasing and warehousing to delivery of the finished goods.
As Jan Thoele, Executive Vice President of SternMaid America, explains: 'One of our outstanding strengths is our flexibility and strong R&D background in the group. We are able complete all manner of different orders quickly and simply, ensuring extremely close adherence to the formulation, process safety and gentle handling of the products. Our customers decide individually which services they wish to use, depending on their needs.'