Running an industrial bakery production line is no easy task. Production line managers face constant pressure to keep machines running smoothly, maintain product quality, and meet tight deadlines. At Dowson Food Machinery, with our decades of experience and engineering expertise, we offer solutions that directly address many of these common challenges that any Production Line Manager will recognise.
Our Founder’s Design Philosophy Still Influences Everything We Do Today
When John Murgatroyd sat down to design his first piece of industrial bakery equipment back in 1982, he knew that its main role was not to slice bread, but to run efficiently with minimum downtime.
And while it may be tempting to add all the whistles and bells to our equipment, John knew then, as we do now, that all you are really doing is introducing more opportunity for failure, and a failed machine can shut down an entire production line indefinitely.
Over 50 years later, our equipment is still world renowned for its reliability.
Unexpected equipment failure is one of the biggest concerns for bakery production managers. We have always understood this which is why we still insist on in-house manufacturing of nearly 90% of our components. This allows us to maintain strict quality control over every part that goes into our machines and reduces the likelihood of any supply chain issues when spares and repairs are required.
Additionally, our extensive factory testing of complete production lines, often using live products, ensures smooth installation and commissioning on site. This thorough pre-delivery process minimises surprises and downtime when the equipment arrives at your bakery.
Consistent Product Quality Through Tailored Engineering
We don’t offer one-size-fits-all machines. Our engineering team works closely with our customers to design equipment that meets specific production needs — whether it’s specialty breads, flatbreads, rolls, or artisan products. This bespoke approach helps ensure that each machine produces consistent results, maintaining the exact quality standards demanded by today’s competitive bakery market.
Expertise and Skilled Workforce
The backbone of our success is our experienced engineering team. Many machinists have been with us for over 20 years, bringing deep knowledge and craftsmanship to every project. Younger apprentices are trained internally to uphold these standards, ensuring ongoing expertise.
Strong Customer Support
Even after installation, we offer first-class service and maintenance support worldwide. We provide spare parts quickly and can offer advice tailored to specific bakery challenges. This ongoing support reduces anxiety about machine upkeep and ensures continuous operation.
Proof of the pudding
I think the best testimonial for our engineering approach is in the Dowson equipment that are still running on production lines 40 years after they were initially installed – this is something we are immensely proud of.
