The Client: Cardium – Freaks of Nature
This Yorkshire brand, based in Ossett, is the leading supplier of high quality, plant-based desserts; both chilled desserts and hot puddings offering vegan, dairy free, gluten free and egg free options.
The Challenge: New product development & launch
Peter Ahye founder of Freaks of Nature first arrived at PA in 2015 with just a great idea for a product and a few pots. Working together, Peter and PAs team began to fine tune those ideas, testing proposed materials and seals, supporting with trials and product samples in PAs trials facility, with the help of materials expert, Simon Wilson.
The use of the Trials Kitchen came of great benefit to Peter and helped him launch his products with the major retailers.
The Solution: Eclipse 182 and Eclipse SL4
Peter's first machine was a PA182 semi- automatic tray sealer which was the ideal machine for Peter to launch his products as PA were able to offer him the machine on a short term hire keeping Peter’s risk to a minimum. With the business rapidly expanding it wasn’t long before Cardium needed to upgrade their machine to an inline solution the PA Eclipse SL4, capable of 75 packs per minute and being fully electric, it gave Cardium a huge reduction in running costs.
In 2020, amidst the backdrop of a global pandemic, Freaks of Nature were experiencing growing demand for their product and we are delighted to have supported them further on their journey.
The Solution: Increased throughput & reduced running costs
From product concept to development, through to growth and extension of product line, PA have continued to support Cardium and have recently installed a brand new dessert line to help automate their current process and increase capacity.
The installation of the 2nd production line will give Freaks of Nature the potential for 100% increased capacity which they are going to need as they continue to innovate.
Freaks of Nature founder Peter Ahye said: “This investment is very exciting and marks a significant turning point in our business … production volumes were up by 100%”