The Fika Frio group is located in Maceió and has been a leader in the fruit pulp ice cream production industry in the Alagoas state, manufacturing and distributing popsicles and ice creams (Fika Frio brand,) as well as milk-derivative beverages and fruit pulp (Shups brand) to the entire North-east region. They are well-known for delivering the “best ice creams in the North-east” and, in order to deliver high-quality goods, they needed the right partner to warrant the perfect cold storage temperature for the ingredients.
Up until 2019, they used Full Gauge Controls products for frozen goods, but not with their connection to Sitrad Pro. In 2019, Fika Frio’s industrial automation manager Alberto Cambús Junior decided to control two cold storages with TC-900E Log connected to Sitrad PRO. Once he saw the results, the rest was history. A green light was given to change all older controllers with the TC-900E Log connected to Sitrad PRO.
“The main benefits of Sitrad PRO are connectivity and real-time alarms and notifications. And the quick view of leaks in compressors, and macro and action customization, make this a spectacular software! Before, we had daily routines, including weekends to verify the all the facilities. We also had several losses due to late check-ups. This all changed thanks to Sitrad PRO,” states Alberto Cabús Junior.
With the implementation of TC-900E Log, Fika Frio obtained a huge advantage. “The defrost schedule gave us freezing power and gave us the possibility of setting the defrost only in the necessary hours, reducing power costs,” adds Cabús. Blocked evaporators are also being detected more easily.
As results came in, the manufacturer added more Full Gauge Controls products in their refrigeration systems. They installed the PCT-120E Plus model in each compressor. “Upon replacing the mechanical pressure gauges with the PCT-120E Plus, we saw direct savings of over 10 thousand Reais per month in maintenance, since the technicians locked and left the compressors working even with a vacuum,” reveals Cabús.
Being able to see the pressures on a daily basis and check the reports issued by Sitrad Pro allows the user to detect leaks in the systems even before losing all the freezing gas. Per Alberto’s statement, they have already detected over 20 leakages on the system, with each one having over US$1,000 worth of gas.
Recently, Fika Frio has implemented the VX-1025E electronic expansion valve to increase Power efficiency and manage the superheating process through Sitrad PRO.
