Tailored testing and precision engineering from FAM STUMABO enable Huhtahyvät to achieve consistent, high-quality cuts for its signature soft salami with the Flexifam 55, benefiting from the machine’s ease of operation, low maintenance, and low Total Cost of Ownership.
Huhtahyvät Oy, a Finnish family-owned business, has been bringing premium meat products and rich, mayonnaise-based salads to Scandinavian tables for over 30 years. Known for its Lihamestari and Gourmet brands, the company delivers over 5 million kilograms of high-quality food annually, striking a balance between artisanal heritage and modern innovation.
The challenge: Cutting a softer salami, perfectly
At Huhtahyvät, food quality and safety are non-negotiable. In its pursuit of excellence, the company set out to refine its pizza salami. This essential ingredient requires a uniform, premium cut, but its softer, fattier texture, typical of Finnish-style salami, posed a unique challenge. Standard cutting solutions having failed to deliver the precision they needed, Huhtahyvät’s Factory Manager Timo Mustaniemi turned to FAM STUMABO’s partner in Finland, Forsfood Oy.
“The Finnish type of salami has a higher fat content than similar products made elsewhere in Europe,” explains Vincent Van Brussel, Area Sales Manager Northern and Eastern Europe at FAM STUMABO. This leads to the need to operate at a lower temperature to achieve a product with enough texture for processing.”
Tailored testing for flawless results
A salami sample was sent to FAM STUMABO’s state-of-the-art lab in Belgium, where tests revealed the optimal cutting solution: Flexifam 55. The initial focus of the tests was on identifying the optimal cutting temperature. In a second stage, the machine parameters were adjusted to further enhance cutting quality, switching from serrated to flat circular knives to prevent the casing of the sausages from jamming in the blades.
“We have two fully equipped testing labs where we can test our complete portfolio of machines on our customers’ products, says Vincent Van Brussel. “In addition to the standard cutting tools, we also maintain a designated stock of more specific tools, which can be used for challenging applications. This gives us the flexibility to fine-tune every parameter during the testing process.”
The tests yielded excellent results, identifying the Flexifam 55 as the solution for Huhtahyvät’s product. Detailed reports, including photos and videos, gave the customer the confidence to proceed with production-scale trials.
“The texture demanded a precise approach,” notes Marko Försti, Development Manager at Huhtahyvät. “FAM STUMABO’s lab testing was instrumental in identifying the right combination of machine settings and temperature.”
Real-world trials followed at Huhtahyvät’s production facility, using a leased Flexifam 55 to accommodate the product’s long curing time. After rigorous testing, a 5x5x15 mm strip was selected as the perfect cut.
FAM STUMABO’s experts provided on-site support throughout the process: “we were on site with our partner Forsfood, to assist Huhtahyvät. We thoroughly explained the operating process of the machine and how to operate it to achieve the best results. I feel that this was very important in their final decision process.”
“The ability to test both in the lab and on-site gave us total confidence,” comments Päivi Uotila, Production Manager at Huhtahyvät. “Flexifam 55 quickly proved to be the right fit for our needs.”
The Flexifam 55 has since been seamlessly integrated into Huhtahyvät’s mettwurst production line. Salami is pre-cut and precisely strip-cut by the Flexifam 55, efficiently conveyed into the packaging line—thanks to Forsfood’s output solutions. The result is improved throughput, minimal blade wear, and consistently top-tier cuts. Additionally, the Flexifam 55 has proven effective with other soft meats, offering versatility and long-term reliability.
A partnership built for performance
The successful outcome at Huhtahyvät highlights the power of collaboration. By leveraging Forsfood’s local expertise combined with FAM STUMABO’s global R&D, the Finnish producer has elevated product consistency and quality, strengthening its market position.
As Forsfood continues to expand its services, including a dedicated test lab in Kauhajoki, Finnish food producers gain access to world-class tools that help them thrive in a competitive industry.
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