Total approach at FrieslandCampina Butter & Milkpowder

FrieslandCampina Butter & Milkpowder in Lochem is one of the largest milk and cream processing locations in the Netherlands. The dairy produces around 100 different products here: from butter and butter oil to milk powder and specialised milk proteins. We talk to Herold van Vilsteren, Maintenance Manager, about FrieslandCampina Lochem's successful partnership with Vlint.

The importance of a clean process

Air quality is essential in a dairy where fresh milk is processed into milk powder or other finished products. The various production processes must be safe and hygienic. Safety and quality are paramount. Herold van Vilsteren, responsible for the maintenance of all installations at the Lochem dairy, knows this too. He manages a team of 28 experienced colleagues who carry out repairs and inspections of the installations, with the aim of ensuring that all installations run properly. "I like my job at FrieslandCampina," he says. "Working in a dairy factory, with a production process where fresh milk has to be pasteurised within 48 hours and a lot of attention is paid to food safety, makes my job extra challenging. We have relatively large capacity here in Lochem to powder milk. Should there be a capacity problem at one of our other plants that compromises milk processing, this milk comes to us and we take over the processing. As a maintenance department, we are always ready, like a fire brigade and can spring into action at any time." The maintenance manager is satisfied with the cooperation with Vlint:

​

"We have been working together for about 15 years. Vlint is more than a supplier,
the company thinks along with solutions."

Quick reaction in case of failure

As an example of the fine cooperation, Herold van Vilsteren talks about the malfunction he had at one of the powder towers in the plant: "We had excessive wear on the dust filters in these towers. so that had to be solved quickly. We called Jaap van der Laan, our contact at Vlint. Together with our colleague, process technologist Han Huiskamp, he investigated the filter surface. It turned out that this was too small. The outer ring of the basket filters was missing, which had been removed in the past during a modification to the installation. An installation is designed for a certain air area. The filter surface is determined on that basis. Because the ring of filters was missing, the filter area was too small." Jaap adds: "We delved into the history and recommended having the filter baskets all made to the same length and putting back the outer ring of filters. This not only improves the performance of the filters, but also their service lives." That this was the right approach to the problem, Herold van Vilsteren also heard from his colleagues:

 "Our own experts confirmed that this was the solution
for our problem, that made me feel even more confident
had in Vlint's opinions."

Stock management

The next step was to replace the dedusting filters in these towers. The planning for this was tight because an overhaul date was already scheduled and the required dedusting filters had to be custom-made in Vlint's own production facility as well as installed. Fortunately, the planned stop could go ahead, says Jaap van der Laan: "Because FrieslandCampina Lochem has a stock contract with us, we always have the basic material (foodtec needle felt from our partner BWF Envirotec) for their dust-removal filters in stock so that we can produce the filters quickly if necessary. This material consists of a support fabric with a fibre layer on both sides and this makes the filters compact, stable and mechanically robust. This stock contract allows us to move quickly and avoid additional downtime."

Total package

The total package of supply, advice and filter changes - both the dedusting filters in the factory and the climate filters in the offices - is appreciated. This led to an additional order for Vlint in 2020: the total maintenance (filter changes, coating and reconditioning) of the dairy's air handling units. A great boost!

Herold van Vilsteren is satisfied with the cooperation with Vlint: "That total package is just right. We are taken care of by Vlint."

Wondering what we can do for you?

At Vlint, we help our clients by first properly analysing the problem. Then, we create and implement an effective plan of action to properly solve the problem. Interested? Feel free to leave your contact details. We will contact you within one working day.

Please contact me