Global equipment manufacturer JBT has acquired Formcook AB, the long-established manufacturer of Teflon contact and combi cookers based in Helsingborg, Sweden.
The acquisition means global equipment manufacturer JBT has now added flexible, non-stick contact cooking to its existing portfolio of Stein jet stream ovens and Double D high impingement linear cookers.
Founded in 1989, Formcook’s leading product is a double-sided contact cooker, designed to cook thinner products with flat surfaces such as de-boned, sliced and formed products like hamburgers, bacon, kebabs and vegetables. The Formcook line also includes a combi cooker, a single belt, a flat belt and a steam cooker.
Contact cooking technology
“The addition of the Formcook range is perfect for JBT, as we can now offer proven and effective contact cooking technology to our existing range of cooking equipment,” said JBT’s European sales director, Bob Petrie.
“Formcook was the pioneer in contact cooking technology, and the company continued to focus on making this their specialism. Now they’re backed-up by JBT we can ensure that this specialist knowledge and expertise can further benefit our customers, giving them additional options for integrated in-line processing operations.”
Contact cooking transfers heat onto a product between two cooking belts which run between hot plates. It is the most effective method of transferring heat while providing fast cooking, high yields, quick changeovers and easy cleaning.
Other equipment lines
The Formcook cookers can be integrated with JBT’s other equipment lines which include DSI slicing and portioning systems, the Stein range of coating and frying equipment, the Double D range of high impingement continuous protein ovens and searer/grill-markers, and the Frigoscandia freezing systems.
The former Formcook manufacturing site and test centre has now been integrated with JBT’s Food Technology Centre at its European headquarters in Helsingborg in Sweden, where testing is available.
Formcook will be featured on the JBT stand at Gulfood Manufacturing in Dubai, which runs from 27 – 29 October 2015.