{"id":1505,"date":"2021-03-21T10:49:29","date_gmt":"2021-03-21T10:49:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/test.star-ref.co.uk\/?post_type=case_studies&p=1505"},"modified":"2021-11-19T10:41:30","modified_gmt":"2021-11-19T10:41:30","slug":"associated-seafoods","status":"publish","type":"case_studies","link":"https:\/\/www.star-ref.co.uk\/case-studies\/food-manufacturing-2\/associated-seafoods\/","title":{"rendered":"Associated Seafoods"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Star’s oldest refrigeration plant still going strong almost 40 years on.<\/p>\n

Aging gracefully is never easy, unless you are a good Scottish single malt.\u00a0 So, we\u2019ll settle for gracefully-ish. With a remarkably ripened appearance, scoured painted components and the original controls systems mounted on slightly aged metal and wooden panels with gauges and cut-outs, Star Refrigeration\u2019s oldest cooling plant might seem a relic from another era to the untrained eye, but the proud owners will tell you a different story.<\/p>\n

A leading supplier of some of the finest seafood caught right on its doorstep, Associated Seafoods has been in business since 1913. Experiencing steady growth over the years, the company now owns a specialist group of seafood companies comprising Moray Seafoods, Lossie Seafoods and GlenIsla Shellfish. The company is internationally recognised for the premium quality of their langoustines, prawns, crabs, scallops, shellfish, and the famous Scottish smoked salmon, The pride of Scotland.<\/p>\n

In 1979, Star Refrigeration provided the company with two refrigeration packages for their cold storage and production facilities located on the Moray Firth coast of Scotland, in Buckie.<\/p>\n

According to Wikipedia, \u20181979 (MCMLXXIX) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar\u2019, but for Star Refrigeration, it marks an era as this represents the oldest operating plant in Star\u2019s history. And to add a time perspective, here are a few things some of you might remember: Margaret Thatcher was elected prime minister, Sony introduced the \u2018Sony Walkman\u2019, YMCA was in the charts and Superman, the movie, had just been released.<\/p>\n

Built to last, each package consists of a single compressor, LPR, four way valve with patented reverse cycle defrost technology, an evaporator and twin circuit condenser. This industrial system is true Star quality through and through. \u201cIt\u2019s a great system, it still hits -25 in the cold store\u201d, says Roddy McDonald, Associated Seafoods Maintenance Manager in charge of routine checks to the system.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been here for around 27 years, and the system was already in place when I started. It is always running \u2013 24\/7. We worked out that it\u2019s been running for 324,342hours non-stop. When we need to do maintenance work we shut one down and keep the other one running\u201d, Roddy adds.<\/p>\n

The systems initially ran on ozone-depleting R502. Although very common in the 1970s and 1980s, it is now illegal to use HCFCs, and the system has since been converted to non ozone-depleting and low global warming potential refrigerant. \u00a0Star Refrigeration was a precursor in the use of natural refrigerants since its inception in 1979, but \u201cammonia in those days wasn\u2019t as common in food factories. Depending on the size of the plant, there was a break-over point on whether to use ammonia or not\u201d , said Calum McKenzie, Regional Manager for Star Refrigeration\u2019s service and maintenance branches in Aberdeen and Glasgow.<\/p>\n

With such a long-standing relationship, the two companies have worked together effortlessly as they both grew substantially to become leaders in their respective markets. Calum McKenzie, said, \u201cThis is one of the first systems built using the \u00a0low pressure receiver. During defrost, refrigerant flow is reversed, with hot gas flowing to the evaporator where the latent head of condensation is used to melt ice formation. This process has now been proven to be an exceptionally efficient way of defrosting and it is used in the most modern and energy-efficient refrigeration systems today.\u201d<\/p>\n

Apart from replacing the cooling fluid with a drop-in refrigerant and replacing one of the evaporators, there have never been any major issues with the system or loss of cooling in almost 40 years. \u00a0Roddy McDonald confirmed that \u201cit is basically the same plant, with all the original electrics, Star\u2019s controls system and components. We have not even rewound the motor so it\u2019s still working fairly efficiently\u201d. Reliable refrigeration over the past 38 years have enabled Associated Seafoods to focus solely on what they are best at, allowing it to grow to employ over 150 people in their factory in Buckie alone.<\/p>\n

Despite running for almost 40 years, Roddy MacDonald is confident Star\u2019s system can keep going for another decade, \u201cas long as it is kept well looked after as until now, it could keep going for another 10 years, easy.\u201d<\/p>\n

The company has a lot resting on its shoulders. The reliability of the plant as well as good aftercare to ensure continuous smooth operation is critical to their business success. Associated Seafoods supplies to the UK\u2019s leading premium food retailers and also ship their produce around the world.\u00a0 Exporting to 23 countries, including the States, China and Dubai and with a turnover of \u00a315 million per year, the company takes in around 40 tonnes a week of Scottish salmon and shellfish and has recently invested \u00a33 million refurbishing its warehouse.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are hoping to expand in the near future and continue our relation with Star Refrigeration. For me, there\u2019s never been anybody but Star to work with\u201d, said Stuart Gibson, Operations Director of Associated Seafoods.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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Star’s oldest refrigeration plant still going strong almost 40 years on.<\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":1514,"parent":3999,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"tags":[105,74,80,91,100],"case_study_category":[113],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nAssociated Seafoods Refrigeration Case Study | Star Refrigeration<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Read the case study detailing the bespoke solution that Star Refrigeration has designed for food manufacturing company Associated Seafoods. 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