Chingford Fruit Limited

MTX completed the installation of 6 No. 24 Pallet Random Access Ripening Rooms for Chingford Fruit Limited based in Kent.

The new MTX Ripening Rooms were installed to replace their existing facility which was in need of modernisation. According to the clients’ request, the project was to be completed in 2 phases to ensure normal production could be maintained alongside construction works.

Phase 1 required the removal of two of the three existing rooms so that 3 No. 24 Pallet rooms could be installed. By maintaining close communication with the customer, MTX successfully overcame the challenges that arise when major construction works are being carried out alongside normal production.

Upon completion and handover of Phase 1, work was able to commence on Phase 2 – the installation of the remaining 3 no. 24 Pallet rooms. The rooms were supplied by the existing DX pack systems that supplies the entire site maintaining cooling requirements within the facility. Each room contains 2 No. 24KW evaporator coils allowing the rooms to operate at around 0°C. Each evaporator in each room was fed from 1 of the 2 pack systems allowing energy saving during part loading conditions with only 1 evaporator being operational whilst still maintaining the correct temperatures within the rooms.

Energy management systems were incorporated into the design allowing the fan speed to automatically adjust whilst maintaining the correct pressures throughout the pallet stack. This has already provided significant energy saving since the facility became fully operational.

The entire project was managed in house, from conception to completion, in only 17 weeks including installation, mechanical, refrigeration, electrical and commissioning.

Since the installation of the new MTX Ripening Rooms, the facility has doubled its ripening capacity whilst still maintaining the same size footprint within the warehouse, where space is at a premium. Furthermore, since its completion the client has commented on how pleased they are with the completed facility and have noticed significant improvements in the quality of the product coming out of the new MTX Rooms.