Mettler-Toledo Product Inspection specializes in designing and manufacturing stand-alone and fully integrated automated inspection technologies tailored to assist food manufacturers in optimizing productivity while enhancing product quality and safety. Within the product inspection division of Mettler-Toledo, a range of innovative solutions are engineered, including foreign body detection systems, notably metal detection, which automate essential processes and reduce recall risks. Additionally, the division offers advanced X-ray Inspection systems beyond contamination detection to help further improve product quality and enhance brand protection.

Siddharth Kachroo, Head of Sales for Mettler-Toledo Product Inspection India, underscores the company's unwavering commitment to precision with checkweighing solutions that minimize costly overfills and optimize production line efficiency. Kachroo further elaborates, "We also offer checkweighing solutions for advanced precision weighing to reduce costly overfills and improve production line efficiency and label inspection systems to detect label defects, thereby reducing the risk of rework and product recalls. For food manufacturers, we also offer a data management software called ProdX™, which monitors product inspection activities in real-time, offering paperless data trails to support food safety compliance."

Recent milestones and innovations

Kachroo highlights several recent accomplishments of Mettler Toledo, including the successful launch of the X2 Series, a line of high-performance X-ray inspection systems designed to enhance product safety while maintaining an attractive price point accessible to all food manufacturers. Furthermore, the introduction of the M30 R-Series GC metal detection systems and the advancement of ProdX™, a complete quality inspection data management software, mark significant strides in digitalizing product inspection equipment, enabling real-time monitoring and ensuring adherence to food safety compliance standards.

Mettler-Toledo has developed a range of combination product inspection solutions to address the challenges related to manufacturing floor space. Additionally, they have expanded their 'Test Before You Invest' testing and evaluation service to provide seamless door-to-door product collection and delivery, enhancing customer convenience. Establishing a new Global Centre of Excellence for X-rays in the UK, focusing on designing and manufacturing X-ray inspection solutions worldwide for food and pharmaceutical manufacturers, demonstrates the company's commitment to innovation and growth. Moreover, Mettler-Toledo has recently opened a support center in Barcelona, Spain, to bolster its customer support capabilities further. Incorporating Augmented Reality (AR) into their customer support services enables remote issue identification and on-site guidance, regardless of the operator's familiarity with the equipment.

Navigating challenges and seizing opportunities

While addressing the challenges encountered by the food and beverage processing and packaging industry in India and beyond, Kachroo acknowledges the global economic uncertainty that affects service providers universally. He emphasizes the importance of delivering enduring products that accommodate varying price points to meet the diverse needs of manufacturers, particularly in times of economic instability.

Technological change is another critical aspect where Mettler-Toledo remains vigilant, proactively staying abreast of emerging developments. Kachroo states, "We make it our business to stay abreast of new developments and invest in research and development to remain competitive, innovative and relevant. We aim to develop new products and services that differentiate us from competitors."

Regulatory compliance poses another challenge, with Mettler-Toledo's products subject to diverse regulations and standards that vary by region. However, the company is dedicated to ensuring adherence to these regulations to simplify their customers' due diligence and compliance processes.

He states, "We see most of these challenges as opportunities, and among the biggest opportunities in our segment is the growing demand for precision instruments. The increasing need for accurate and reliable measurements in laboratory, industrial, and food retailing applications creates opportunities for products and services we provide globally."

R&D and innovation

Mettler Toledo has a strong focus on Research & Development (R&D). Kachroo adds, "Our R&D team works closely with customers and partners to understand their needs and to develop new and innovative products and technologies." He shares that the R&D team operates across critical areas, including product development, process optimization, and regulatory compliance. Collaborating with departments such as marketing, sales, and customer service, the R&D team ensures that the products they develop align with customer needs and expectations. "Our R&D team is a key driver of our success, helping to develop new and innovative products and technologies that meet customers' needs and help drive growth," he adds.

 Mettler Toledo at ANUTEC

At ANUTEC, Mettler-Toledo Product Inspection showcases smart product inspection technologies under the theme "Boost Your Productivity." These innovations include the X12 X-Ray Inspection System, C35 Checkweigher, ASN9000 Metal Detection System and M31R Metal Detection System.

X12 X-ray Inspection System: The X12 forms part of the newly launched X2 Series, a range of high-performing X-ray systems to help enhance product safety at an incredible price point for all food manufacturers.

C35 Checkweigher: This precision checkweighing system, specifically designed for food production environments, delivers accurate weight measurement, irrespective of challenging environmental production conditions. A modular design offers customization to handle any package type effectively.

ASN9000 Metal Detection System: This advanced metal detection system is ideal for inspecting small, packed product applications. The ASN9000 identifies and rejects all metal contaminants, including ferrous, non-ferrous, and stainless steel, upholding consumer safety and maintaining product integrity. Small in stature, the ASN9000 is optimized for production lines with limited space.

M31R Metal Detection System: Designed to be a versatile, reliable inspection solution, the M31R system delivers high sensitivity to detect metal contaminants in dry or wet products. As an entry-level metal detection model, the M31R is an ideal choice for manufacturers requiring food safety compliance, and its future-proof modular design means it can be easily upgraded as and when requirements change.

ANUTEC 2023: A catalyst for business growth and technological innovation in the food industry

Discussing their expectations from the trade show in achieving business goals, Kachroo emphasizes, "Meeting prospects and customers face-to-face at tradeshows such as ANUTEC is important for us as part of our business development strategy. Having platforms to showcase recent technology innovations is valuable to our continued growth in the food industry."

He expresses the company's excitement about showcasing these cutting-edge product inspection technologies at ANUTEC 2023. "With our focus on productivity enhancement, product quality, and safety, we aim to connect with food manufacturers to show them how they can achieve operational excellence and help them deliver top-quality, safe food products to the market. By leveraging our advanced product inspection systems and digital solutions, we can help them navigate the evolving industry landscape and stay ahead of the competition."

Commitment to excellence

Looking ahead, Kachroo emphasizes Mettler-Toledo's commitment to becoming a leading global provider of smart product inspection solutions, supporting customers in achieving product safety, quality standards, and compliance objectives. "We will continue to focus on developing our innovations and technologies as our customers are always at the center of everything we do. We aim to continue to help them boost productivity, reduce waste, avoid product recalls, and comply with food safety regulations while protecting their end consumer against substandard products."

To achieve these goals, Mettler-Toledo plans to continue investments in research and development, expand its product portfolio, and leverage its global network to reach new customers and markets. In closing, Kachroo underscores the company's unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation in product inspection solutions.

Kachroo invites all attendees to ANUTEC – International FoodTec India, emphasizing the potential of smart product inspection technologies to empower manufacturers by boosting productivity and improving product quality and safety. He encourages food manufacturers to visit their booths to discover how they can maximize production uptime and enhance the performance and longevity of their product inspection systems.

Experts from the Mettler-Toledo Product Inspection division, along with representatives from the Lab, Industry, and Process Analytics divisions, will be available at Booth U15 from 7 to 9 September at ANUTEC – International FoodTec India, hosted at the Bombay Exhibition Center in Mumbai. They will offer valuable insights and present innovative food safety and quality technology solutions to boost productivity for food manufacturers.