Braby, the world’s leading manufacturer of silos, tanks and fabrications has recently finished the removal and upgrade of a non ‘ATEX’ compliant sugar handling system for confectionary retailer Thorntons.

The Bristol-based firm installed a brand new granulated sugar vacuum conveying line to four distribution points – one of which was a dual handling system - as the system previously in use at Thornton’s manufacturing facility in Derbyshire had suffered continuous failures and line blockages when servicing several of the manufacturing distribution points.

Thorntons, who have over 500 outlets nationwide, process over 45 tons of sugar at their Derbyshire facility each week and wanted to upgrade the conveying system in order to make the process more efficient and to meet the latest legislative requirements. The stainless steel installation, complete with rupture disks and flame barrier valves were installed in the manufacturing facilities roof void area. This presented the engineers at Braby with an interesting challenge to ensure that the vessel would not only fit but could also be installed and maintained with a minimum of fuss.

Paul Mayer, Director of Marketing and Sales, comments, “By working closely with Thorntons to ensure that the new package was tailored to suit all of their current and future requirements, Braby were also able to provide a solution which not only met process requirements and but also provided a fully ‘ATEX’ compliant solution.”

Richard Bain, Factory Manager at Thorntons, states, “Thorntons have used silos supplied by Braby in the past and we have always been impressed by the quality of their products and the level of customer service that we have received. When choosing a supplier for the upgrade of conveying systems at the Derbyshire manufacturing facility we had confidence in the level of technical ability that Braby were able to supply. So far we are delighted with the results of the installation - as well as meeting the latest ‘ATEX’ requirements we have already experienced financial benefits from the ability to purchase sugar in bulk.”

Paul Mayer at Braby, comments, “We are very pleased with the job that has been completed for Thorntons – the upgrade and installation is a great example of how our excellent planning, creative approach and technical ability produce a fantastic end result for out customers.”