Phil Ostapowicz, CEO of FleetwoodGoldcoWyard, Inc., a Barry-Wehmiller Company, is pleased to announce the promotion of Neal McConnellogue to the position of President of FleetwoodGoldcoWyard. In his new role, McConnellogue assumes the complete P & L responsibility for FleetwoodGoldcoWyard and CBI while continuing to lead the sales and marketing departments domestically and internationally. 

“I have worked with Neal for many years and his leadership abilities, knowledge and dedication have been instrumental to the success of FleetwoodGoldcoWyard,” Ostapowicz said. “I have every confidence that Fleetwood will continue to enjoy disciplined financial growth and broad market leadership under Neal’s capable direction.”

Commenting on the announcement, McConnellogue said, “I am very pleased with the new position and responsibility, and I look forward to working more closely with the entire team to attain the goals we have set.”

McConnellogue joined Barry-Wehmiller in 1996 after leaving his family business, Conal. He has spent time in virtually every aspect of the
FleetwoodGoldcoWyard business, beginning in Customer Service in Denver, moving to the Chicago area when Jetstream and Fleetwood merged in 1999, and returning to Loveland, Colorado in 2006 with the acquisition of Goldco International, Inc.

McConnellogue spent part of his career with Jetstream Systems, which was acquired by Barry-Wehmiller Companies in 1991 and merged with Fleetwood Systems in 1999 to form Fleetwood, Inc., beginning a new chapter in McConnellogue’s leadership career. As Vice President of Sales for Fleetwood, Neal spearheaded a growing sales force that was enhanced by the 2005 acquisitions of Wyard Industries, Goldco International, Inc. and AMBEC, followed by the 2008 integration of Barry-Wehmiller’s historic brewery equipment business. Today, FleetwoodGoldcoWyard designs and manufactures its complete range of integrated packaging machinery solutions across five operations in Chicago; Denver; Lynchburg, Va.; Baltimore, Md.; and Doncaster, U.K.

“FleetwoodGoldcoWyard has experienced significant growth over the past several years to become a leading global provider of conveyance technology with revenues now exceeding $150 million annually,” stated Robert H. Chapman, Chairman and CEO of Barry-Wehmiller Companies, Inc. “Through Neal’s skillful leadership, FleetwoodGoldcoWyard will continue to grow as an integral part of packaging lines as well as an integral part of the strong platform of industries served by Barry-Wehmiller.”

FleetwoodGoldcoWyard’s AdaptA Series of First-in First-Out (FIFO) single file accumulation / buffering systems is now available. Accumulation increases production line efficiency by allowing the “bottle-neck” to continue to operate while surrounding equipment is down. In addition to accumulation, an effective accumulation/buffer system maintains smooth product flow, product integrity and traceability, and manages those “harmonics” in the production line.

The AdaptA Series uses Adaptive Accumulation by transforming an inconsistent flow of product of the upstream equipment onto a controlled product output, providing an array of options to fit any line layout and allowing for multiple product sizes and shapes on the same unit with minimum to zero change over.

The AdaptA MB (Mini-Buffer) Series offers a medium capacity, high speed, First-In First-Out buffering system. The unique and patented design of the AdaptA MB allows pressure-less accumulation of difficult to handle containers without disrupting the product flow of the upstream equipment. The AdaptA MB Series uses an expandable 180º zero-gap belt requiring virtually no change-over. As line conditions change, the AdaptA MB expands and retracts to maintain upstream and downstream equipment in sync, eliminating a “snow-ball” effect. It also allows equipment to be closely coupled while providing significantly higher space availability than traditional conveyors. The AdaptA MB is a first-class option to bring machines closer together, eliminate conveyor lubricants and simplify line controls.

The AdaptA ML (Multi-Lane) Series offers a high capacity, high speed, multi-lane, “table” style accumulation system. The unique and patented design of the AdaptA ML allows accumulation of difficult-to-handle containers without disrupting the product flow of the upstream equipment. This is accomplished by indexing “on-the-fly” without allowing two products to contact, thus accumulating in a pressure-less manner. The product’s traceability is maintained along with its integrity. Product is delivered downstream in a first-in first-out basis, creating a quality control advantage. The flat, low design of the AdaptA ML permits handling of difficult and unstable containers at unprecedented speeds. It also offers maintenance and operation advantages over vertical accumulators by allowing easy access for product monitoring, cleaning, operation, installation and routine maintenance. AdaptA ML units are offered in a combination of lengths and widths to better fit a wide range of line layout and products. The future of high capacity, high speed, FIFO, single file reliable accumulation is here.  Contact us today to schedule a visit.

FleetwoodGoldcoWyard’s specialized technology group, Fleetwood Process Systems, is reintroducing In-Line Batch Creation, Quasi-Blending Systems and the P-SMART Kit. By combining experience and industry-leading technologies with the CBI Fleetwood Volumix and the historic AMBEC product lines of FullMix and Quasi-Blend, systems can be molded together to create a unique and custom solution while maintaining the integrity of the tried and tested blending concepts.

Quasi-Blend Systems and other in-line batching operations provide clear opportunities for life-cycle savings. Key components to each custom system include the ability for quick and effective change overs, product creation capabilities at the touch of a button, and cross-over-free creation of diet and sugar beverages. With complete reporting of batch ingredients, raw materials are utilized more efficiently. Newer technologies allow for greater utilization of tanks and product creation resources which aide in the decreased line down time due to lack of product.

Tunnel Warmers, Coolers and Pasteurizers can be the heart of a line and a crucial part of ‘in-container processing’. Poor maintenance and new products can make these machines very inefficient. Through a series of audits performed by FleetwoodGoldcoWyard’s skilled Field Service team, issues common to older tunnels impacting line productivity and product quality have been revealed. Among these concerns are blocked or clogged nozzles, incorrect machine balance, overlapping temperature zones and excessive water usage. The audits also showed areas where there was poor accumulation and belt population, unknown ‘in-container’ processing and excessive utility usage, all of which contributed to machine failures.

A new tunnel can cost several hundred thousand to millions of dollars. Fleetwood Process System has responded to the industry’s demand for a cost effective way to improve tunnel machines of all make with its P-SMART Kit The P-SMART (Process System Modification and Reconfigured Tunnel) Kit can be applied to all tunnel machines and in particular the I&H and Barry-Wehmiller Companies models.

Drawing on FleetwoodGoldoWyard’s more than 100 years of experience in tunnel machines, the P-SMART Kit can provide better efficiency of operation, greater visibility of process conditions within the machine and a more efficient use of utilities with a smaller consumption of water and drainage volume. In addition, the P-SMART Kit can create a simpler automation process with a greater range of product capability. The Kit also offers paperless recording of process conditions and utility usage.

For assistance in designing the In-Line Batch Creation and Blending System for your product or to schedule a tunnel audit to add the P-SMART Kit,contact the Fleetwood Process System team today at sales@fgwa.com.

FleetwoodGoldcoWyard is pleased to announce the addition of the Keg Line Flash Pasteurization system to its comprehensive line of beverage process equipment. An essential part of any keg line, the new flash pasteurization process is economically priced and ideal for both craft and master brewers. The Keg Line Flash Pasteurizer is custom designed for use with small to large (or multiple) keg lines and is available in either fully- or semi-automatic options.

The fully-automatic series controls the flow and temperature automatically to achieve the correct amount of pasteurization. A paperless chart recorder shows the exact flow and temperature for each minute of operation creating precise accountability for the machine’s operation. The easy-to-use touch screen allows operators to select from pre-programmed recipes for fast and efficient line start-up and change-over.

The semi-automatic series offers a cost effective way to create consistent beer pasteurization. The unit uses a PID controller to monitor the temperature and flow of the beer. With the semi-automatic system, brewers can utilize flash pasteurization for multiple types of beer with minimal programming changes.

Both the semi- and fully-automatic systems are completely CIP (clean in place) operational. With the Keg Line Flash Pasteurization system, clean-up is quick, change-over is simple, and new production run start-ups are smooth.

For more information on the Keg Line Flash Pasteurization system or additional process equipment, contact the Fleetwood Process System team at sales@FGWA.com.