The Benefits Of Buying Second Hand Equipment For Dairy Processing

By Paul Crowter  |   Submitted On November 24, 2015

For dairy manufacturers around the world, purchasing high quality dairy equipment can make the difference between a mediocre product and an exceptional one. As a result, there are constantly new models of equipment on the market aiming to provide even more efficient processing and a superior finished product.
Despite this, there is a high demand for secondhand dairy processing equipment, and this is not without good reason. In fact, there are several advantages to investing in used machines rather that splashing out on entirely new equipment; here are some of those benefits.
One of the main factors that comes into play when buying equipment - whether a brand new GEA Westfalia separator or Trepko butter packing machine - is cost. The reality is, despite how professional and reputable the company may be, and how fantastic their finished products are, that there is often a strict budget to adhere to.
This is especially applicable when it comes to dairy processing machines, which can be particularly costly when it comes to buying brand new equipment. As new models appear on a relatively regular basis, it is only the companies with the largest budgets that can afford to update their equipment so frequently.
One way, therefore, that dairy companies can obtain great results on a tighter budget is by investing in used equipment rather than brand new items. There are many fantastic second hand products on the market, whether companies are looking for a separator, homogenizes or packing machines, and all at exceptional prices.
Although the items for sale will not be of the latest model they will still be exceptionally efficient and boast a number of great features, depending of course on how recent the model is and what condition it is in. Customers looking at investing in a brand new GEA Westfalia separator are therefore advised to see if a recent used model is available for a significantly lower price.
Another major advantage of investing in second hand equipment is that there is a great deal more variety than shopping from a selection of exclusively new models. Although many more recent designs can feature a range of innovative functions, this may not be necessary for a number of dairy processing companies.
In some instances, buying a model with fewer functions can actually be beneficial, as the item may only be required to fulfill a small number of necessary functions. The second hand market will contain a range of models, both recent and not-so-recent, all of which will offer as many or as few features as you want or need.
Another reason why investing in second hand equipment might be beneficial is that there is now a huge wealth of information about the second hand market available, meaning it is much easier to buy an item of real quality for a good price and get a real bargain.
In addition to this there are many retailers that specialize in sourcing and reselling used goods. These will often only offer the best items available and be very upfront about the quality and functionalities of the item. This gives you the benefit of complete transparency and means that you can get a true bargain without running any major risks.
One thing to be aware of however, is that in demand items will often be snapped up fast. Popular products such as Tetra Pack pasteurizers, Alfa Laval homogenizes or the industry leading GEA Westfalia separator tend to sell very quickly, so anyone interested in purchasing second hand should be prepared to act quickly in order to get the item they have their heart set on.
There are many benefits to buying used equipment, including major cost savings, a surprisingly high level of quality and a greater range of choice than on the new product market. All of these can be very persuasive reasons why used goods can be a great idea for many dairy processing companies.

Machinery World was established in 1999 with the primary aim of providing the dairy industry with access to expertly sourced and competitively priced used dairy equipment of the highest quality. Today, with over 15 years' experience within the industry, Machinery World has bought and sold thousands of machines in over 100 countries worldwide and is one of the most respected and professional new and used dairy equipment suppliers in the industry. In addition to this, Machinery world offers a full engineering and maintenance service, along with assistance transporting its diverse and large holding of stock to clients around the globe for very competitive prices. See the full range of high quality equipment at: http://www.machineryworld.co.uk/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Paul_Crowter/2199320

Honey Farms: Take a Tour and Become Part of a Larger Movement

By Laurel Abell  |   Submitted On July 21, 2016

Honey farms are becoming an increasingly popular cottage industry. Almost anyone can start a backyard beekeeping sideline business. Those with larger urban yards or small semi-rural or rural properties can go bigger and actually start honey farms. In these latter cases, a profitable honey farm can turn into the primary source of income for an individual or a family.
For decades, Americans moved away from connecting directly with the producers of food. Instead, they relied entirely on big chain grocery stores to supply their nutritional needs. They bought milk every week but had never actually milked a cow or even ever saw a cow being milked. They bought honey in bear-shaped plastic containers but had no idea what a bee hive looks like or had even an inkling how bees turn flower nectar into honey!
Luckily, this is all changing and local honey farms are part of this larger movement! People have a renewed interest in buying locally grown food and supporting local farmers. They go to farmers markets so they can talk directly to the farmers who are producing the tomatoes, leafy greens, peaches, and raw honey they buy. They also want to feel more connected to the food they eat so they visit the farms that produce the eggs they feed their children. They want to see with their own eyes how the chickens are treated and what the chickens eat. They don't just automatically believe the term "pasture-raised" printed on a cartoon of eggs. Likewise, they have a keen interest in seeing the bee hives that produce the honey they feed their families.
With all of this renewed interest in people wanting to know where their food is coming from and how it is produced, farmers often give tours of their farms.
Sometimes they even host celebrations with music, craft booths, games for the kids, and other festivities to draw people in. Some communities have organized festivals around a locally produced crop with multiple farms signing up to give tours of their farms. For example, the Sequim Lavender Festival takes place every July on the Olympic Peninsula where locals and tourists can visit several lavender farms in the region, timed perfectly of course when fields of lavender flowers scent the local air.
Honey farms have joined in on this fun and many are now offering tours and the response has been tremendous. In some cases, such as Hunter's Honey Farm in Martinsville, Indiana, they do this on an ongoing basis with a certain set weekly schedule. They are visited by private patrons or by organized groups such as a student field trips to see how beekeepers raise bees and how bees collect honey. Some honey farms only give tours are at certain times of the year, sometimes in association with a local festival. Regardless of the schedule, the response is generally overwhelming.
Many honey farms also have a small store where they sell their own honey but also other bee related gift items such as beeswax candles and beeswax soap. Like wine tastings, honey farms may also offer samplings of different varieties of honey they produce and or sell. Some honey farms, such as Boyle Bee Farm in Queen Anne, Maryland, set up special demonstration hives that allow a closeup look at how bees perform their magic! Big Island Bees in Hawaii created a museum where people can go and learn about how bees make honey and about the need for bee conservation. They provide a screened area to protect people from being stung while they show them the queen and worker bees in the process of making honey up close.
We encourage you to look for a honey farm tour in your region!

http://www.hiveandhoneyapiary.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Laurel_Abell/2312141