The FA006001 model from Taiwan's Yung Soon Lih is an automatic grinding machine that can process 80kg of dry soybeans per hour.

To enhance operating efficiency, makers import key components and collaborate with third-party institutes on R&D.

Mainland China and Taiwan suppliers of food-processing machinery are implementing performance upgrades to gain a product-based edge. This comes as the continuous metal cost upswing has made it difficult for them to compete on price alone.

In a bid to keep up with major foreign brands, many companies are procuring key components abroad. High-grade motors, and electrical and electronic parts are sourced primarily from Europe and Japan.

Partnerships with domestic research institutes are also enabling suppliers to incorporate control mechanisms and specialized functions. Most collaborate on technology transfers and design development.

Mainland makers are gearing efforts toward automated grain- and meat-processing equipment, which they export to Australia, New Zealand, South Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

Taiwan companies are stepping up R&D on models for preparing bakery and dairy products, and fruit and vegetables. Shipped to Asia, Africa and Mexico, units feature control panels and touch-screens.

To distinguish themselves from mainland counterparts, some suppliers in the island are offering complete food production lines. These turnkey assemblies are custom-made and include all the machines required from materials preparation up to the packaging stage.

	Mainland China-based Agritech has released a paddle mixer with a capacity of 250 to 2,500kg per hour. Price is $10,000.

Suppliers are launching efficient and durable models made mostly using imported components, technologies and equipment.

Of the mainland companies in this report, Agritech Products Ltd taps technologies from Switzerland and Italy to enhance the performance of its grain-milling machines.

The latest corn degerminators can operate at a faster speed, processing 8 to 10 tons per hour. This is four times the capacity of older models. Units go for $18,000.

The company’s paddle mixers feature a full-length gate that enables quick discharge and eliminates residue.

Sandwiching machines from Qingdao Nissin Food Machinery Co. Ltd are fitted with EU-made servomotors. The MM823 model yields 250 to 1,200 biscuits per minute. Rated at 9kW, it can be configured to create two-flavor combinations.

Shouguang Sunrise Industry & Commerce Co. Ltd outsources all the components of its sterilization boilers, and fruit and vegetable washers.

Motors and touch-screens are usually purchased in Germany and Japan.

Qingdao Weivo Machinery Co. Ltd produces meat-processing equipment using NC machine tools from Germany. The blades are made of carbon or stainless steel. Cast iron is preferred for the inner components.

Surfaces undergo three to five minutes of tin plating. To ensure safety, parts that come in direct contact with food are treated with high-purity tin. The finish can protect against rust for two or three years.

Taiwan-based Hsiao Lin Machine Co. Ltd procures electrical and electronic components, including ICs, in Japan and Europe. Locally sourced parts are also adopted.

The company’s model HL-11007A planetary mixer has five speed control settings and a digital timer. It shuts off automatically once the safety guard is opened.

Tai Yuh Machine Enterprise Ltd turns to Japan for diesel burners and glass wool, both of which are used in its latest rotary rack ovens. The latter can resist temperatures up to 600 C.

For turnkey exports, the Taiwan supplier employs IP55-rated motors, and electrical and electronic parts from Europe. It can offer production lines up to 30m long.

Yung Soon Lih Food Machine Co. Ltd, also of Taiwan, allocates 60 percent of revenue to turnkey projects. A team of engineers and technicians is assigned to conduct on-site research and test runs.

The company specializes in assemblies for dough sheets, soy milk and tofu pudding. The machines can be equipped with a programmable logic controller, touch-screen and alarm system.

Aggressive R&D has helped suppliers meet the design and technical requirements of high-performance units.

Qingdao Nissin collaborates with a Tianjin-based automation specialist on electrical control mechanisms. To maintain a technological edge, the company is pouring additional funds into R&D.

Agritech has been developing machinery designs in cooperation with national research institutes in Wuxi, Jiangsu province.

For its bean sprout germinators, Yung Soon Lih relies on technical assistance from the Innovation Incubation Center in National Chung Hsing University.

Through this, the company has been able to introduce a technology for growing mung- and soybean sprouts in four to six days, and without the use of soil or chemical fertilizers.

Units are capable of washing, ozone sterilizing, soaking, germinating, harvesting, spinning and packing. The FE004005 model has a control panel for regulating ambient humidity and temperature, and setting the time and frequency of water sprinkling.

Yung Soon Lih updates designs annually to counter piracy. Prices at the company jumped 15 percent earlier this year.

Hsiao Lin invests 5 percent of sales in product development. The company’s key R&D priorities are safety, efficiency and flexibility. Its meat choppers come in compact constructions without any sharp corners and seams, while the dough sheeters feature safety guards on both sides. Bowl cutters with multiple attachments are in the pipeline.

After implementing a 10 percent increase in past months, Hsiao Lin plans to hold quotes during the second half of 2008.