As frozen potato processors navigate a period of intensifying cost pressure and heightened scrutiny on total cost of ownership, equipment suppliers are being asked to deliver more than raw throughput — they are being asked to prove reliability, scalability and long-term value.
Daniel Leighty, Vice President of Sales at Key Technology, discusses how the company channels field intelligence from customized installations back into its standard product line, why training and annual equipment audits remain central to customer proficiency, and how rising costs have pushed the company toward modular, phased investment structures that let processors prioritize high-impact upgrades without overcommitting capital upfront.
FFE: When a processor requests a highly customized solution, how does KEY TECHNOLOGY decide whether — and how — to incorporate it into its standard product line?
Daniel Leighty, Vice President of Sales at Key Technology: Deciding whether a customized solution belongs in our standard product line comes back to a feedback loop between the plant floor and our engineering team.
When we design and build something specific for a processor, our service technicians and onsite engineers capture how that solution performs in production. We collect that field intelligence in an internal knowledge base, and engineering evaluates whether what we learned is specific to one operation or points to a broader improvement. When it points to a broader improvement, we add it to our base standards or options for that solution so that our equipment continues to perform at the highest level.
What methods does KEY TECHNOLOGY use to ensure customers are proficient in equipment operation and maintenance?
We support customer proficiency in operation and maintenance through training and ongoing service contact. We offer training on much of our equipment, covering setup, operation, maintenance and troubleshooting.
Training can take place either hands-on at the customer’s line or in a dedicated classroom setting. Our annual equipment audits add another layer, giving us an ongoing dialogue with the customer about opportunities to improve machine performance, including equipment operation and maintenance.
How has rising cost pressure shaped the way KEY TECHNOLOGY designs or prices its equipment, in the last couple of years?
Rising cost pressure has increased processors’ focus on total cost of ownership, predictable performance and near-term payback. In response, we’ve placed greater emphasis on standardized, scalable systems and simpler technology that can deliver consistent results without unnecessary complexity.
We’re also structuring more projects as modular or phased investments, helping processors prioritize high-impact upgrades and increase throughput from existing assets while preserving options for future expansion.