GA Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP) Georgia Tech

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Menu
  • Who We Are
    • About the GaMEP IconAbout Us
      Learn more about GaMEP
    • GaMEP Purpose IconGaMEP Purpose
      Discover how GaMEP can help you advance your manufacturing goals
    • Multiple-people-3Meet the GaMEP Team
      Get to know the team that helps more than 1,000 manufacturers succeed each year
    • Close
  • What We Do
    • Southeast Energy Management Program IconLeadership Development
      Give your new and existing leaders the tools to succeed
    • Business Growth IconStrategic Growth
      Identify and develop new business opportunities
    • Technology Services by GaMEP IconTechnology
      Integrate technology to grow your competitiveness and gain new business
    • Lean and Process Improvement Services by GaMEP IconLean and Process Improvement
      Reduce waste and improve productivity, allowing you to take on new business
    • Quality Services by GaMEP IconQuality
      Enhance the quality of your products and increase customer satisfaction
    • Energy Services by GaMEP IconEnergy
      Generate energy cost savings at your facility
    • Environmental Services by GaMEP IconEnvironmental
      Improve your environmental footprint and increase profitability
    • Close
  • How We Work
    • Onsite Implementation Services by GaMEP IconOnsite & Virtual Implementation
      Implement cost savings and business growth solutions throughout your plant
    • Training Services by GaMEP IconTraining
      Learn about GaMEP's open-enrollment courses
    • Magnifying Glass IconIndustry Focus Areas
      GaMEP's offers industry-specific initiatives and expertise for food and automotive manufacturing
    • Events by GaMEP IconEvents
      Find events throughout Georgia
    • Peer-to-peer Learning by GaMEP IconPeer-to-Peer Learning
      Join the Advanced Manufacturing Consortium or the CEO Forum and benchmark with other manufacturers
    • Connection to Georgia Tech IconConnection to Georgia Tech Resources
      Uniting manufacturers with GaMEP at Georgia Tech Connections
    • Close
  • How We Make A Difference
    • GaMEP Success Stories IconSuccess Stories
      Discover the positive impact GaMEP has made on Georgia manufacturers
    • GaMEP Statewide Impact IconStatewide Impact
      Learn how GaMEP's reach extends throughout the state
    • Champion of Manufacturing IconChampion for Manufacturing
      See how GaMEP serves as a voice to and for manufacturing in Georgia
    • Economic Development IconEconomic Development
      Understand how GaMEP's close ties to the manufacturing community promote Georgia's economic growth
    • dashboardGeorgia Manufacturing Data Dashboard
      See a a snapshot of how the state's economy is performing in the manufacturing sector
    • Coronavirus IconCoronavirus Resources
      Find COVID-19 information and resources
    • Close
  • Connect with Us
    • GaMEP Regional Locations IconRegional Locations
      Contact your local region manager
    • Read the GaMEP Blog IconRead Our Blog
      Stay up-to-date on the latest information for manufacturers
    • Sign-up for the GaMEP Newsletter IconSign up for Manufacturing Connect!
      Sign-up to receive GaMEP's newsletter, "Manufacturing Connect"
    • Contact the GaMEP IconContact Us
      Get in touch with GaMEP
    • Close

Success Story – Roger Wood Foods

Picture of Manufacturing Plant

Click here for more information on Energy Services.

Contact Your Region Manager

Results

By working with GaMEP, Roger Wood Foods has:

  • Reduced condensation which led to a decrease in downtime of 15 percent.
  • Installed numerous recirculation fans, leading to increased productivity, as team members were no longer having to change the plastic condensation sheets.
  • Implemented a road map that is applicable for the plant to use in the future.
  • Removed three exhaust fans saving energy and removing less conditioned air from the facility.
  • Increased their internal score regarding efficiencies with outside regulatory agencies by 38 percent.

Customer Profile

Located in Historic Savannah Georgia, Roger Wood Foods is a third-generation family-owned and operated food processing company that produces great-tasting smoked sausage and meats. For 85 years they have prided themselves on making superior products and were awarded the SQF certification by the Safe Quality Food Institute for going above and beyond in quality assurance required by the USDA.

Situation

At Roger Wood Foods, they couldn’t escape the humidity and the South that go hand in hand. The plant was experiencing a negative air balance, which created condensation due to the hot, humid air hitting the cold work surfaces. Plastic sheeting was used to shield the food, but this was only a temporary fix. Angela Travis, controller for Roger Wood Foods, reached out to Ben Cheeks, coastal region manager for the Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership (GaMEP) at Georgia Tech, to find an expert to help them properly solve this problem and remain USDA compliant.

Solution

Cheeks brought in Jason Clarke, project manager for the energy and sustainability group at GaMEP, who had just the expertise Roger Wood Foods needed. He conducted a plant air flow study to determine the root cause of the issue. Clarke discovered that since this was an older plant with numerous additions, air was not flowing properly to all areas of the plant. He also witnessed on several occasions that doors to the outside were left open, allowing the humid air in at a faster rate. In a controlled environment, you want a slightly positive air flow. Clarke found that there was not a “directed” air flow in the facility, and more air was going out than coming in, which created a negative air balance throughout the facility. This not only produced condensation problems on the plant floor but also affected the front office area as well.

Clarke created a road map for Roger Wood Foods to get control of the air flow issue and reduce the condensation. The suggestions included:

  • Changing employee practices and behaviors to make sure doors and windows remained closed.
  • Strategically placing exhaust fans to direct air flow effectively.
  • Adding on plenum air ducts instead of using one large air duct to create an even air flow and reduce stagnant areas.
  • Installing an air makeup unit and commercial HVLS (High-Volume Low Speed) fans that reduced condensation.

Implementing all of these steps balanced the plant’s air flow, reduced condensation build up, and led to increased productivity because of less downtime. The road map was so successful that Roger Wood Foods has engaged with Clarke on future energy-related projects to ensure the plant remains USDA compliant.

“I would highly recommend the GaMEP. Jason was always available to help and saw the big picture of how to improve the air flow at our plant. It was a positive experience, and I look forward to working with him and the GaMEP team in the future.”

–  Angela Travis, Controller, Roger Wood Foods

Download the Roger Wood Foods Success Story Flyer.

Copyright © 2023 · Georgia Tech - Enterprise Innovation Institute