A LOWESTOFT company is using state-of-the-art innovations in energy reduction to forge ahead as a market leader in the global freezing and chilling industry.

A LOWESTOFT company is using state-of-the-art innovations in energy reduction to forge ahead as a market leader in the global freezing and chilling industry.

Starfrost, which designs and supplies bespoke freezers and chillers for the food industry, has spent the past 12 months designing ground-breaking new products aimed at reducing the energy consumption of its machines in a bid to cut costs for its customers and to stay ahead in an increasingly environmentally-conscious market.

The firm, which employs 25 people between its site in Newcombe Road in Lowestoft and overseas offices, has been working on major contracts including a freezer and chiller for a UK sausage producer, pizza freezers in the USA and a project for frozen seafood in Russia. As well as agents covering every continent, Starfrost has worked with food manufacturers in more than 50 countries.

Managing director Neil Winney said working with parent company Star Refrigeration, Starfrost had been developing systems focused on saving energy.

He said: 'In the past year, Starfrost has been breaking new ground, both in terms of our customer base and freezing a chilling system design. Our customers are increasingly looking to invest in more environmentally-conscious equipment. We're having to develop systems which work more efficiently, but which deliver the same level of output.'

The amount of electricity being used by the machines is reduced by using more efficient motors and air flow systems, which in turn cuts the amount of power needed from the refrigeration units. The newly developed internal clean-in-place system which cleans the internal mechanisms has also been targeted so that they use less water.

Mr Winney said: 'We're using whatever is new in the electrical control world to improve our machines. This can save our customers tens of thousands of pounds a year, and the improved systems also mean our freezers and chillers work for longer and do not need cleaning so often, which also cuts labour costs.'

The company, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, also manufactures machines in Lowestoft and contracts out work to other local firms.

Mr Winney said: 'It's fantastic for a relatively small company in Lowestoft to be servicing the world and working for blue-chip companies in many countries. We've beaten some of the major names in our industry for contracts, including one recently in Thailand, which is a great position to be in during the current economic climate.'