R Y Henderson

Star’s cool solution for Scottish meat specialist.

Cooling solutions specialist Star Refrigeration has completed work at a brand new state-of-the-art abattoir for one of Scotland’s largest beef and lamb processors.

Based in Linlithgow, West Lothian, R Y Henderson produces a full range of bone-in and boneless primal meat cuts. Its customer base includes food service distributors, multiples, caterers, retailers and major manufacturers across the UK and Channel Islands.

R Y Henderson has been producing top quality meat including beef, lamb and pork for more than 50 years. All livestock are sourced, slaughtered and processed through the company’s own abattoir. In 2005 the company announced exciting expansion plans and construction work began on a new abattoir development – the first greenfield new build in Scotland for 25 years.

In order to meet the 65,000 sq ft facility’s post-slaughter refrigeration requirements, R Y Henderson sought expert advice from Star, a key supplier of cooling solutions for the UK food industry. Star was commissioned to design, build and install an industrial refrigeration system, in a contract valued at over half a million pounds.

Star designed an innovative and environmentally conscious refrigeration plant with evaporative condenser to boost energy efficiency. The provision of waste heat recovery from the plant’s oil cooling circuit is capable of meeting 50% of the facility’s wash down and hot water requirements.

The ammonia central chilling system features pumped propylene glycol as secondary refrigerant. Glycol is distributed through a network of pipes to 13 coolers, which serve various post-slaughter and meat production chill areas. In post-slaughter chill areas, air is distributed directly at the meat carcasses via a sock system to aid the cooling process. The primary ammonia refrigerant is confined to plant room areas to reduce risk.

Star worked in conjunction with R Y Henderson and its project team to meet the challenging installation programme. The installation of the refrigeration plant has enabled R Y Henderson to boost production at the new facility to meet increased orders.

R Y Henderson has invested over £6million in the new abattoir and processing plant. It was officially opened by HRH Princess Anne in September 2006.

Star Refrigeration is the UK’s leading independent refrigeration engineering company. Established in Glasgow in 1970, Star has over 250 employees nationwide, providing technical support at 11 locations across the UK.

R Y Henderson
Client: R Y Henderson
Location: Linlithgow, West Lothian
Sector: Food Manufacturing
Service: Installation
Equipment: Bespoke General
Refrigerant: Ammonia


R Y Henderson