Integrated Workstations Deliver High Productivity Gains

October 3rd, 2007

From office environments to the manufacturing floor, high-performance work centers have been a key component to achieve greater efficiency and productivity. Now manufacturers like Enodis and its operating companies are taking a similar approach to commercial kitchens.

Enodis has been working with consultants and chains on the integrated workstation concept for quite a few years now. Both operators and consultants alike see advantages in creating greater productivity at the manufacturing level. Rather than try to make “off the shelf” equipment fit into a plan for higher productivity, the manufacturer is able to create an integrated equipment solution that performs the task in a more efficient way.

One of the first such stations was conceived for a leading Pizza and Pasta chain. They desired a more efficient way to prepare some of its signature pasta dishes. By integrating Garland Induction units with Frymaster Pasta cooker, Delfield added cooling, prep, storage, serving and custom fabrication for an integrated station that put all the tools in one easy to reach space.

Another chain’s sandwich program was approached the same way. Using a super fast Lincoln DTF Impinger married to Delfield cooling and prep the chain was able to deliver high quality toasted sandwiches at Drive Thru speeds.

“There’s no practical limit to what we can create to help our customers become more productive” states Rick Carron, Chief Technology Officer for Enodis. “And higher productivity also offers the benefit of labor savings, and less strain on the workforce with a well designed, ergonomically sound integrated workstation”.

To be successful and create cost-effective solutions it helps to have a wide array of cooling, prep and cooking solutions at your disposal. Enodis works with its customers to develop solutions that are application specific. It’s through experience with some of the world’s leading chains that Enodis has been able to develop multi-application integrated workstations. Even independent operators now have the opportunity to take advantage of this approach to kitchen design.

Looking at this from the perspective of recent trends, integrated workstations are a concept whose time has come. One need only look at the rise in the number of “non-traditional” locations many of the country’s larger chains are opening.  From airports to service stations to C-stores to kiosks, operators are looking for ways to leverage their brand and grow their sales. Integrated workstations, powered by Delfield custom fabrication and the power of Enodis and its portfolio of leading brands are rapidly becoming the vehicle these chains rely on to get the job done.