Hertfordshire-based Simmons Bakery has invested in a larger upgraded Koenig Combiline to provide more flexibility, produce better-quality products and to helpmeet rising customer demand. The bakery provides and delivers a variety of freshly baked rolls and baguettes daily to its 42shops. The new Koenig Combiline – supplied by EPP – can deliver up to 9,000 rolls per hour.

“The bakery previously had an older machine that was approximately 13 years in service – although this line could produce up to 8,000 rolls per hour, parts and support for the machine was becoming difficult and therefore it was decided that an upgrade was required. The new Koenig Combiline provides more flexibility and automation to production with better quality products,” says Rupert Matthews, Managing Director of Simmons Bakery. The older machine is still in production but now resides in a bakery in the North of Scotland.

Simmons Bakery was first established in 1838 and has been a family retail bakery business ever since, with 41 bakery shops now covering the Hertfordshire area. This new investment allows Simmons Bakery more flexibility and variety to produce a wider range of more consistent and higher quality products. The new Combiline has reduced the need for manual lifting of the dough (as this is now automated), has more consistency and high-quality moulds for the dough pieces, and can carry out automatic seeding for the rolls where required.

Rupert added, “We use the new Koenig Combiline for lots of short runs, as we produce a large variety of different types and sizes of rolls and baguettes with seeds and without.” Simmons Bakery prides itself on producing fresh products – ”we make today and delivery tomorrow,” adds Rupert.

Before making the purchase, EPP arranged for Rupert and the team at Simmons Bakery to visit the Koenig factory in Graz, Austria. The team were able to send out their ingredients ahead of their visit to Koenig to carry out tests on their own bakery products and for the team to see the machine in action to decide whether it was the right choice for them. The team also visited again once their machine was built and prior to being shipped to the UK to ensure everything was working as they wanted it.

As part of EPP’s service, they offered additional training and support for the on-site engineers to help maximise efficiency and production of the new line and processes required. Rupert further commented, “The installation all went very well and was managed well by the team at EPP, with full production being made in a couple of days and much quicker than expected.”

“Working with Rupert and the team at Simmons Bakery was a pleasure,” adds Roger Mott of EPP. “Koenig and EPP were appreciative to win this important business. We look forward to working with Simmons Bakery on future projects.”