The world’s most historic biscuit equipment manufacturer, Spooner Vicars, scored another first this autumn by opening the first full-size Bakery Innovation Center in India. The Bangalore factory, which has been producing world class equipment for almost 10 years, now boasts a dedicated hygienic testing space fitted out with the new VORTEX mixer and 1.2m wide APEX 400 laminating and sheeting line complete with a 3-zone hybrid oven 28m long. The grand opening ceremony was attended by major Indian biscuit producers as well as a strong international contingent including visitors from China, Canada, Egypt, USA, Philippines, New Zealand, UK, Spain, UAE, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Sweden.

The new testing center will be used by both national and international biscuit manufacturers for recipe and new product development, ingredient substitution trials, training and seminars, as well as being a showcase for Spooner Vicars ongoing launch of state of the art biscuit production equipment such as the VORTEX mixer and the APEX 400 laminating and sheeting line.

Dignitaries attended, speeches were presented, and separate desktop presentations were given by AL Rollers (UK), Sveba Dahlen, Burford, Stewart Systems, Axis Automation, TNA (Arcall), Ammeraal Beltech India Pvt Ltd, Rockwell Automation PvT Ltd, Festo India Pvt Ltd, ESA Manufacturing Pvt Ltd, Keyence India Pvt Ltd, and Mettler-Toledo India Pvt Ltd.

Following the speeches the test line was fired up by remote keying by VIPs, and a number of Marie batches were mixed, laminated, sheeted and baked under the gaze of the international assembly.