Not everyone knows that apple peel has beneficial effects because it contains ursolic acid, which helps keep body weight under control. Therefore, the peel is precisely what gives apples that something extra! If, to this, we add the increasing habit of eating ready food, then we can explain the success of bagged apple wedges used as snacks.

FreshPlaza talked about it with Virginia Cascella, expert in the fresh-cut sector and sales manager at PND, an Italian company specializing in the manufacture of fruit processing machines.

"Thanks to the boom in demand deriving from the 'fruit at school' project, the request for machinery capable of processing produce for the fresh-cut industry has increased. Over the past few years, the consumption of ready-to-eat fruit has increased thanks to 80g bags of apple wedges with the peel. The peel contains beneficial properties that increase the level of good fat which burns more calories, thus reducing the risk of obesity especially in children."

In short, it seems that having immediate access to healthy food encourages its consumption and this has increased demand!
"The apple wedge, moreover," adds the expert, "has always been one of the components of the fruit salad, i.e. the mix of fruit that we find in ready-to-eat trays together with melon, pineapple and kiwi. The main destinations of sliced and bagged apples, therefore, are school, public and company canteens, large-scale retail trade and the Horeca sector referring to the fast food restaurants of the most important chains in Italy and worldwide'.

'In this context,' specifies PND's sales manager, 'is the new automatic apple slicing line, model CB8 from PND. It is an automatic slicing and dicing machine, specially designed for apples. The system consists of a tank for collecting the fruit, followed by the automatic orientator and a system of punches that transport the apple to the cutting station. In the last phase, the cutting into segments takes place, thanks to the pad that pushes the fruit onto the die and allows it to be cut and the core to be separated on a special belt'.

Apples can be cut into as many as 20 wedges. The process is fully automatic: operators only intervene when the fruits are loaded into the tank. Wedges can be treated to prevent browning.

“Deze lijn biedt veel voordelen, waaronder de hoge snijkwaliteit, de hoge productiecapaciteit en door de automatisering zijn er weinig medewerkers nodig. Net als alle andere machines van PND is ook deze zeer gebruiksvriendelijk en de onderhouds- en schoonmaakprocessen zijn eenvoudig uit te voeren. Het heeft een opbrengst van 75% en is ideaal voor internationale leveranciers of bedrijven die verpakkingen met 80 gram gesneden appelen op de markt brengen”, besluit Cascella.

That fresh-cut strawberries are becoming increasingly popular is nothing new. This is confirmed by Virginia Cascella, an expert in the field of processing machines for fresh-cut fruit and vegetables and export manager at PND. The Italian company is among the most innovative in the production and marketing of fruit processing machines in particular.

"Our company has designed the DF12 and DF24 strawberry de-stemming machine to support not only food processing companies, but also those operating in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical sectors," said Cascella herself. "This machine is specifically used to remove the stalk from the upper part of the fruit and, on request, cut it in half or four. An accurate operation, for an extremely delicate fruit'.

The demand for specialised machinery to process this product, according to PND, is steadily increasing and the company is perfectly placed to meet it. Always!

"Thanks to its innovative stainless steel design," remarked the manager, "the machine in question reduces mechanical damage resulting from automated processing, as it uses a precision system for a clean cut in a short time. Perfected over time, the DF12 and DF24 strawberry peeling machine allows reduced waste, guaranteed to be within 10-12%, and is able to process strawberries of different diameters, ranging from 20 to 50 mm, simply by replacing the membrane supporting the fruit, i.e. by making small adjustments to the settings".

Another advantage not to be underestimated, besides ease of use, maintenance and cleaning, is the reduction in labour.

Processing takes place in four stages: loading, product alignment, dehulling and fruit ejection. The DF12 processes 300 fruits per minute with four operators, about 300 kg per hour. The DF24, on the other hand, can process 600 fruits per minute with eight operators, about 600 kg per hour.

"From the very first moment, we have been proud of the results that this machine, appreciated worldwide, has given us," concluded Virginia Cascella. "So far we have sold as many as 90 units in Spain, Mexico, the Netherlands, Great Britain, France, Australia and Chile, in just six years. Our strong point is our attention to the customer, who is followed from the design to the commissioning of the machine, with meticulous assistance that goes beyond any kilometre distance".

Ready-to-eat salads have been a sought-after item for many years now, and with the more multicolored references, the more inviting they appear, the more they entice purchases. Increasingly fast-paced and dynamic lifestyles, on the other hand, support the demand for products that meet the needs of people who consume ready-to-eat or almost ready-to-eat food, perhaps for a quick lunch break or for health reasons. This is one reason why producers of ready-to-eat salads are adding red, yellow, or mixed-color cherry tomatoes.

"With the growing trend in the fresh-cut consumption, our company has proactively been addressing a significant demand from the market. Thus, in the first months of this year, a new project emerged with the realization of our cutter mod. MTP, dedicated to cutting cherry tomatoes in halves or quarters for the fresh-cut sector," said Virginia Cascella, export manager of PND, an Italian manufacturer of fruit processing machinery.

"It is a fast machine, as it reaches a production capacity of about 200 kg per hour," explained the expert, "but it is also very safe, as it is designed to comply with all the safety standards required by current regulations. Of course, it is also innovative because it provides for automatic loading that has not yet been seen on the market in this particular application. In fact, the product is collected in a hopper and, by means of an elevator, transported to the loading belt that aligns and transfers it to the cutting station. "The cutting unit, specifically, consists of 4 rotating circular blades that, when activated together, allow for cutting into quarters. A mechanical lever system, on the other hand, allows 2 blades to be moved so as to achieve halved cutting. Finally, a belt for the output, located below the cutting station, easily collects the product. We expect great success for what turned out to be a well-tested prototype. Initially made for a customer, this machine has already been in demand throughout Europe."

Moreover, thanks to its innovative stainless-steel design, the machine treats cherry tomatoes of different sizes (Ø 25 - 40 mm) and is easy to move because it is equipped with wheels, which can be replaced with adjustable feet on request.

"Our core strength is to be able to provide a timely response to our customers, with processing lines specifically designed for that purpose," concluded Virginia Cascella, "and this machinery once again is a clear example of that. This is a perspective that pays attention to technological performance, perfectly tailored to the needs of those who choose it. Relying on us at PND means receiving personalized, fast, and effective assistance on a global scale. "We invite you to discover more about PND by visiting our website, where you can consult the catalog of available lines and different machines, as well as view all the national and international trade fairs attended and to be attended by the company."

The popularity of the mango is increasing and, along with it, the demand and volumes produced. This is why the company PND, which provides technological solutions aligned with the new consumption habits, has dedicated an entire line of 3 machines to this fruit: the PL6M peeler, the SS8 stoning machine and the SCM slicer/cubing machine.

"We have noted with great satisfaction that one of the most requested machines is the mango peeler PL6M, manual loading," comments Gianluca Giordano, Latam / Apac Sales Area Manager of PND, "strictly made in Italy and covered by a patent filed in 2012. It has more than 160 units sold in Europe, the United States and especially Central and South America, which have only started investing in machinery and replacing labour in the last three years. The machine loads 6 fruits, peeling 40 per minute. We have a large capacity output, with as much as 800 kg per hour. The whole process is within sight of the operator and does not need any setting".

PND is well established in much of the world. Since 2000, the company has been among the most innovative in the manufacture of machinery for processing fruit, not least tropical fruit.

"The strength of our innovation," Giordano says, "is the machines' ability to process both unripe and ripe mangoes. An advantage not found in any other machine on the market. A unique plus, in short. With over 90 machines sold in Central and South America dedicated solely to processing this fruit, processed and exported to all continents".

The expert also says he is 'proud of the successes achieved in just three years and of having been able to take part in the technological development of the agro-industrial sector in these countries.

Also successful are the other two machines, also made of stainless steel, which are easy to use and quick to maintain and sanitise. The SS8 pitting machine allows cutting into different shapes and sizes, thanks to the possibility of replacing dies and pads, while the semi-automatic SCM, designed for cutting into segments and cubes, features a two-station loading conveyor.

"PND has succeeded in winning the trust of both technicians in the sector and customers," concludes the expert, "who recognise these machines as irreplaceable allies, because they adapt to every need. Our company is a guarantee of quality, reliability and continuous service, at every latitude. On our website you can consult the catalogue of available lines, as well as discover the trade fairs in which the company has participated and will participate".

"The Propack Mexico and Propak Asia fairs were held last week in the two hemispheres and our team attended both with a lot of enthusiasm," explains Virginia Cascella, export manager at PND.

"There was a lot of interest for the peeling and cutting of pineapples in both fingers and chunks, ready to be put in bags or punnets. PND has been supplying the international market with machinery for the processing of pineapples, melons and much more for 22 years."

"The melon and pineapple peeler is available in three models according to the production capacity required. Models PL1D, PL2D and PL4D can process 6 to 24 fruits/minute."

"It is a very intuitive manual-loading machine that is easy to use, so much so that many operators define it as user-friendly. It stands out on the market thanks to its compactness and undisputed reliability. The various models can work up to 24 hours non-stop and are a favorite with technicians due to the minimum maintenance required. They are found all over the world - America, Europe, Africa and Australia."

"Together with the peeler, cutter SCMA for fingers and chunks guarantees a precise job, almost as if by done hand. People like the fact that PND can meet all kinds of requirements: it welcomes clients both before and after the sale and provides frank and transparent advice for made-to-measure solutions. With us, clients feel at ease, welcomed and understood."

PND is large company in the mechanical engineering sector manufacturing fruit processing machinery with clients in all 5 continents. It produces over 1500 machines that enable small, medium and large businesses to process one of the most popular fruits - pineapples.

"While we keep doing well on the international market, the ongoing global crisis and the increase in the cost of raw materials impose new strategies when it comes to processing. We need to reduce the cost of machinery while guaranteeing high-quality, sturdiness, production and efficiency," reports Gianluca Giordano, Latam / Apac Sales Area Manager.

How to do it? PND found the answer by creating a state-of-the-art machine that can perform multiple actions in a reduced space and using a minimum amount of energy.

"We are talking in particular about pineapple cutter PINCYL8, which measures only 1600mm x 1600mm!"

PINCYL8 can process full pineapples, crown included. From the control panel, users can choose whether to obtain cored cylinders, rounds, wedges, chunks or tidbits.

"In addition to enabling a wide range of options, the machine is also capable of processing 12 fruits/minute and it can be controlled by a single operator. It boasts a high performance as the diameter of the cutter and the corer can be changed depending on the grade of the pineapples processed."

"Feedback was great from various parts of the world such as US and Europe, and especially from Spain where pineapple rounds are very popular and supermarket demand is high. This is why various companies from the Iberian country have found in this machine a useful tool that enables them to meet demand with its simplicity and reliability."

"We have started attending fairs all over the world once again, so anyone who is interested should follow our social media pages (Facebook, Linkedin, Youtube) to be updated on the next events and find information on all our machines, including technical sheets."

The growing interest in the international markets for tropical fruits and their consumption continues apace. While, in recent years, consumers in the old continent have been able to learn more about exotic fruits, such as mangoes and avocados, some of which are produced in Europe, the demand for bananas and pineapples remains high. This latter fruit is not only ideal for fresh consumption, but can also be consumed sliced in ready-to-eat trays.

But how does the cutting process take place and how has it evolved over time? We asked Virginia Cascella, sales manager of PND, an Italian company specialized in the construction of machines for peeling and cutting fruit.

"Our answer to this market segment is the new semi-automatic pineapple die-cutting and cutting machine that was created to cut the cylinder-shaped pineapple. In addition to cylinder cutting, the machine allows users to obtain sliced fruit or cubes, depending on the customer's needs. In this way we meet the most diverse needs of our international customers, while also optimizing energy, and environmental and human resources."

This is how the PND die-cutter is made and, above all, how it works. "An operator just loads the fruit and the machine does all the work practically by itself - explained Cascella. The operations are carried out in three steps - assessment, coring, and cutting. The cut, then, is a choice between cylinders, washers, slices and cubes. The machine has a stainless steel structure. All components are easily inter-changeable and the parts in contact with the fruit are certified as suitable for use in the food industry. I would also like to point out the easy and fast cleaning and maintenance of the machine in the post-production phase."

The machine is equipped with a conveyor/elevator belt for the product, customized to the customer's needs. It features both space-saving dimensions and simplified operations, even though it is considered an industrial machine.

A new starting point
2020 represents a new starting point for this company that celebrates 20 years of activity. Today, PND has its own commercial network across the world. It stays true to the same methodology, that means listening to the customer, analyzing the problem and working out the most suitable solution.

The first foreign countries to introduce PND technology have been Switzerland and Poland. Over time, with perseverance and a desire to improve, the company has increased the number of its orders from new customers, and now it is present in all five continents.