The global freezing and food processing equipment sector is in the middle of a systemic transformation as manufacturers invest in broader expertise, expanded production capacity, and increasingly integrated solutions.
From senior talent acquisitions to major facility openings and cross-border mergers, leading companies are positioning themselves to meet this demand for efficient, sustainable, and end-to-end processing systems. The latest developments highlight how innovation, scale, and strategic alignment are reshaping the industry’s landscape.
Setting the tone for this wave of industry activity, FPS Food Process Solutions, a global leader in turn-key food processing systems, continues to strengthen its End-to-End platform with the addition of key experts from the potato processing industry.
Dave Rogers, Executive Director, brings over 30 years of experience in process optimization and best operating practices, offering strategic technical guidance to enhance FPS’s solutions. Mike Holden, Product Expert and Aftermarket Support, contributes 40 years of hands-on experience in potato and vegetable processing, supporting equipment design, customer service, and start-up optimization.
Based in the Netherlands, Ronald Muller, Director, Special Projects, adds 25 years of project management experience overseeing large-scale plant setups and capital projects across Europe. “At FPS, our strength lies in our people,” says Jeffrey Chang, President, FPS Food Process Solutions. “From technical expertise to aftermarket service, we’re with our customers every step of the way.”
New Solutions from Ashworth
Extending this focus on technological advancement, Ashworth Belts B.V., leading conveyor belt manufacturer, has featured the PosiDrive Spiral System at IFFA 2025 in Frankfurt, Germany. The PosiDrive Spiral features a unique cage design that maintains product orientation, disorientation, lowers belt tension, and increases production capacity.
Attendees of IFFA were able to view various metal and plastic conveyor belt solutions at Messe Frankfurt. “The Ashworth PosiDrive Spiral is all about maintaining product orientation and preventing product movement without impacting downstream processes which in turn, saves you time and money!” said Jonathan Lasecki, Engineering Director for Ashworth.
The positive drive concept of the PosiDrive Spiral keeps belt tensions low—which helps to increase belt life throughout sanitizing cycles and allows for increased product load capacity. A perfect solution for oily products, the PosiDrive Spiral system is designed for processing both heavy and lightweight foods and ideal for retrofitting existing proofing, cooling, and freezing spiral applications.
The PosiDrive Spiral is ideal for retrofitting existing proofing, cooling, and freezing spiral applications. “Offering a product that gives you the ability to seamlessly retrofit your current system combined with Ashworth’s own Factory Service spiral experts is the perfect combination for any business looking to maximize their equipment efficiency,” added Lasecki. “Simply put, we provide a simplified solution to help your business succeed.”
Ashworth, a global company, is the only conveyor belt company that manufactures and services both metal and plastic belting for straight running, turn-curve, lo-tension, Posi-Drive and self-stacking spirals—offering customers the best solution for their specific requirements. Ashworth Factory Service offers a full range of engineering services, including system refurbishment, troubleshooting, belt installation, and system maintenance.
Also at IFFA, Ashworth presented the Small Radius Omni-Grid 360 Weld, the first of its kind. It’s the highest tension rated belt in the small radius belt market. “Ashworth’s Heavy-Duty Small Radius Omni-Grid 360 Weld is small, but mighty with a tension rating of 400 pounds,” said Jonathan Lasecki. “Combined with its patented zero-tension, 360 buttonless weld it offers improved durability, additional strength, is easy to clean and can increase belt life.”
The Small Radius Heavy Duty Omni-Grid 360 Weld is made up of strong rods and links, designed for durability. The center row of heavy-duty links creates two lanes for products, with sturdy, heavy duty collapsing links on the inside edge and heavy-duty collapsing bar links on the outside edge. Every link offers a secure single weld.
According to Lasecki, with 360-degree welds, the heavy-duty links provide extra strength making the belt ideal for spiral, low-tension, and turn-curve applications. “The Small Radius Heavy-Duty Omni-Grid 360 Weld is available with a turn ratio ranging from 1.0 to 1.59 times the belt width. Ideal for use in applications where heavy product loads or floor space is limited, the Small Radius Heavy-Duty Omni-Grid can turn either left or right, pivoting about a center link,” he added.
To read the entire article, please access your complimentary e-copy of Frozen Food Europe November-December, 2025 issue here.