FPS Food Process Solutions and its subsidiary, GEM Equipment of Oregon, have launched the VersaFry, a collaborative frying innovation tailored to the burgeoning global snack and appetiser markets. This development represents a significant milestone in the partnership between the Canada-based FPS and Oregon-based GEM, offering food processors a comprehensive and integrated processing solution.
The GEM VersaFry is engineered for precision frying of high-value products such as specialty potato items, poultry, seafood, assorted vegetables, and baked goods. Its design emphasises versatility, accommodating various product shapes, textures, and consistencies. An adjustable infeed conveyor, constructed from specialised PEEK and Teflon materials, ensures smooth product transfer and optimal batter setting, even under high oil temperatures. The system’s dual crumb removal process — featuring a surface skimmer and a bottom return belt — maintains oil integrity and product quality during extended production runs.
Hygienic maintenance and safety are central to the VersaFry’s design. The Hood Raise Screw Jack System allows full kettle access, facilitating deep sanitation and significantly reducing operational downtime. An integrated recirculation pump maintains consistent oil levels and temperatures, critical for uniform frying results and fire hazard prevention.
Jeffrey Chang, president of FPS Food Process Solutions, highlighted the collaboration’s strengths, combining GEM’s engineering expertise with FPS’s expansive global service network. He emphasised that each fryer prioritises robustness and longevity, aligning with the company’s mission to provide a one-stop solution for food processing needs while ensuring the lowest total cost of ownership.
The launch of VersaFry coincides with a period of rapid expansion for FPS, which employs over 1,000 professionals across 23 global locations. By adding VersaFry to its portfolio, FPS bolsters its presence in the potato and prepared food industries, sectors currently experiencing unprecedented growth and a demand for advanced, hygienic frying technology.
