powering Krispy Kreme’s production
- location: Charlotte, North Carolina
- vertical market: food & beverage
National Donut Day on June 7, 2024, presents the perfect opportunity to highlight an exciting connection between Aalberts integrated piping systems and the world-renowned donut brand, Krispy Kreme. Our “Apollo”® Valves play a vital role in the donut-making process at Krispy Kreme’s headquarters in Southend, Charlotte, NC—coincidentally, the same city where Aalberts integrated piping systems Americas is based.
challenge
Krispy Kreme’s production process requires precise and reliable pneumatic control to ensure efficiency, consistency, and safety in their donut-making operations. The challenge was to maintain seamless automation for moving raw dough through frying while ensuring operational control, minimal downtime, and compliance with strict food industry safety standards.
Additionally, their system needed components capable of handling variable air pressures while integrating smoothly with existing machinery, ensuring durability and reliability in a high-volume production environment.
solution
Aalberts integrated piping systems provided “Apollo”® 73 series valves, essential for controlling the pneumatic systems that automate dough movement. These valves help regulate air pressure to power cylinders, which push raw dough into the fryer and lift perfectly golden donuts out of the oil.
Key components of the system include:
- shuttle valve: A critical but unseen part of the system, ensuring the delivery of precise pneumatic supply pressure.
- 73 series valves: Controlling air pressure at a maximum of 50 PSI, while the system also includes a pressure gauge reading up to 160 PSI and a ¼” press connection for seamless integration.
- top-mounted drain & diffuser: Ensuring safety and operational efficiency while maintaining consistent pressure levels.
Beyond just frying donuts, the “Apollo”® 73 series is versatile enough for heating, cooling, steam operations, compressed air, and vacuum systems—making it ideal for a wide range of applications beyond food production, including industrial and commercial settings.
outcome and benefits
By integrating “Apollo”® Valves, Krispy Kreme benefits from:
- precise pneumatic control for automated dough movement
- reduced downtime with targeted system isolation for maintenance
- reliable pressure regulation to optimize production efficiency
- seamless system integration for smooth operation
Additionally, should maintenance be required, our valves can isolate and shut down specific sections of the machinery without disrupting the entire process, ensuring continuous productivity.
conclusion
The connection between Aalberts integrated piping systems and Krispy Kreme demonstrates how advanced engineering enhances everyday food production. Our “Apollo”® Valves provide the reliability and efficiency needed for high-demand manufacturing environments, proving their versatility beyond industrial applications.
As we celebrate National Donut Day, we take pride in knowing that a bit of Aalberts precision is behind every Krispy Kreme donut.
