Fresh crisps from Fiddlers with a little help from Genesis

Three years ago, faced with a static market for his potato crop, John Fiddler, a farmer in Rufford in Lancashire, decided that the best way to solve his slow potato sales problem was to use them himself.  So John, with plenty of help and support from family and advice from various sources, has become a crisp manufacturer.

John Fiddler is nothing if not resourceful. He started by extending and renovating an already existing barn and building a mezzanine. John project managed the entire production line, sourcing the peeler, conveyors, slicer and fryer either locally – including an immaculate stainless steel inclined conveyor which was designed by John and built by a local engineering company –  or internationally including companies in Germany, America and Australia.

Genesis Process Solutions supplied a Brabender Flexwall feeder to handle the powdered flavourings and salt. At the present time the hopper, attached to the top of the feeder, is manually filled with salt and other flavourings. However, as with all Brabender feeders, there is the facility to extend and computerise flavour delivery. Genesis was also able to advise on feed rates and supplied a number of different screws and tubes, giving John the flexibility he needs for various flavours.

By the middle of 2011, John Fiddler was ready to start initial trials and from the start, the results were very good. Production has now started and while sales are deliberately being restricted to the North West at the moment, Fiddlers Lancashire Crisps, in their distinctive 40gramme and 150gramme packaging, is gaining in popularity.

So, as the saying goes: The proof of the pudding – or crisps – is in the eating. What do they taste like? John is growing special Rosetta potatoes for his crisp line; these potatoes are travelling less than a mile from the fields to the crisp line. Now it may be imagined, but these crisps actually taste fresh.

For more information, please contact Phil Cameron at Genesis Process Solutions on 01270 766300 or phil@genesisps.co.uk