PET FOOD AND ZACMI MACHINERY: A SOLID DUO
A tour uncovering ZACMI’s after-sales services and the world of pet food
We’re now on episode number 3 of this extensive journey that will lead us to explore the work of our specialized travelling technicians, highly trained professionals who ensure our Customers receive first-rate services including initial installation, assistance and on-site support.
It’s called (if you’ve been following us from the beginning, you already know) the “ZACMI Worldwide Tour.”
Yes, we know, the name might sound a bit eccentric (a bit rock ‘n’ roll, if you will), but it reflects all the enthusiasm we pour into this type of activity.
Seizing this opportunity, our column also serves as a platform to explore cultural aspects of the F&B sector, uncovering curiosities and anecdotes that are often overlooked.
But now it’s time to get started.
Today, our focus is on pet food; a partnership between ZACMI and the supply of machinery for pet food production that has endured over the years, leading us this time to launch one of our machines in a significant facility in Poland.
As always, the cover photo was taken by our technician, a direct and clear testimony of the work we carry out daily in all the international locations of our Customers, scattered across various countries around the world.
Pet food: what it means, its origins and the “human grade” development of pet food
Pet food, as mentioned earlier, is a type of food specifically formulated for the nutrition of pets, such as dogs and cats. But not only these, of course.
These feeds are designed to provide a balanced and complete diet for pets, with their specific nutritional needs at heart.
But how did the pet food industry come about? Well, one name comes to mind, and of course, one place: James Spratt and the United States of America.
In the 19th century (around 1860),a key figure in the history of this type of product, Spratt (an electrician by trade who was a salesman of… lightning rods!) devised biscuits specifically designed for dogs, made from wheat, beetroot, vegetables and beef blood, baked and then left to harden.
It is said that the idea came to him during a trip to Liverpool where, on the dockside, he saw some mongrels fighting over biscuits of the same type that were supplied to sailors.
This innovation (until this moment, pets were exclusively fed with leftovers) marked a fundamental cultural change and the real beginning of a market that has been steadily growing for decades (we have reached the point of considering the pet food sector as a solid and safe investment asset, almost a safe haven, impervious to economic crises and financial collapses).
Spratt named his preparation “Meat Fibrine Dog Cake” and achieved great success, initially in England, eventually leading to the birth of the American Pet Food Industry starting from 1870.
His ingenious idea contributed to introducing specific foods for pets, distinguishing them from traditional foods, so much so, that, after concentrating on dogs, he also specialized in cat food.
Spratt paved the way for an industry ready to explode, a context in which more and more wealthy families began to keep dogs and cats as pets, rather than as working animals, during the first Industrial Revolution.
His initiative has profoundly influenced the way we feed our pets today, breaking ground for a wide range of dog and cat foods that meet their specific nutritional needs.
There is evidence of this in the modern evolution of pet food humanisation, with more and more owners choosing “human-grade” foods for their four-legged (and not only…) friends, rich in vitamins and fibres, pushing the industry to offer increasingly sophisticated and high-quality products.
It is in this context of maximum hygiene, fine craftsmanship and high functionality that ZACMI machinery fits in, offering manufacturing companies an efficient tool with the highest hygiene standards, capable of meeting the production needs of both small entrepreneurs and the largest multinational companies in the sector.
How ZACMI supports Customers: commissioning and operator training
Imagine a large pet food plant, with complex and articulated lines, consisting of dozens of machines.
Imagine a production of thousands of units per day: every container size change, every minor obstacle, every block in the production chain implies the loss of time and consequently, money.
This is where ZACMI shows all the care it puts into after-sales service and assistance to its Customers, with the aim of maximizing the returns for those who invest in our company’s technologies.
Once a machine is purchased from us, our team goes to the Customer’s site to personally start up the line and verify that the installation has been carried out to perfection, both mechanically and electrically.
Subsequently, once everything has beemìn checked for perfect functioning, our specialized technicians proceed with staff training, in such a way as to make them completely independent, not only as regards to the operational aspects but also in terms of ordinary maintenance.
All this, regardless of what is now known as one of our flagship services: Customer Care, a service that truly places the Customer at the centre, in direct contact with the company, for swift and decisive remote assistance, even through augmented reality.
Once the check is completed and the staff (workers and technicians) has been trained, our team carries out the initial commissioning, giving the green light to start production.
More and Better, Every Time
The decades-long harmony between ZACMI and the pet food industry is proven not only through the supply of cutting-edge machinery, made with an understanding of the sector’s specific history and the ever-increasing consumer demand, but also in the tangible commitment to providing top-notch after-sales assistance to production companies.
Thanks to what we have defined as the “ZACMI Worldwide Tour,” you will always be able to discover how the company directly immerses itself in its Customers’ operations, ensuring smooth production line start-ups and empowering staff for top efficiency.
The focus on Customer Care translates into personalized and timely support, placing the Customer at the centre of attention and guaranteeing a rapid solution to any problem.
In a dynamic sector like pet food, ZACMI confirms itself as a reliable and competent partner, always ready to accompany brands in achieving their production and quality objectives.
And then, wouldn’t you agree that uncovering anecdotes about products we typically overlook, adds an intriguing element to our journey?
To do so is very easy: just follow this column, published every other Monday. Just as reliable and precise as a ZACMI machine.