Facilities
Lee’s reputation for old-fashioned craftsmanship and dependability continues to move ahead with the completion of Lee’s state-of-the-art manufacturing and office complex.
The 128,000 square foot facility boasts design and fabrication operations for increased efficiency and quality control throughout the manufacturing process.
Lee Pilot Plant
Test Before You Invest
Our customers’ products carry the highest integrity, that’s why they rely on Lee’s 80+ years of manufacturing experience, engineering experts and our test facility equipped with the latest in stainless steel processing vessels to achieve the results they require, plus these are all provided to our customers at no additional charge.
The pilot plant equipment includes:
Jacketed Vacuum Pressure Mix Tank
- Uniflow jacketed tank
- Operator panel and temperature recorder controller
- Designed for internal pressure of 30 PSI and full vacuum
- Vacuum processing (concentrating, cooling or deaerating)
- Sanitary double-motion scraped-surface agitator with variable speeds
- Tests have been conducted on a wide variety of food, pharmaceutical cosmetic and chemical products
Double-Motion Inclined Mixer
- Special application of Lee’s Heavy Duty double-motion agitator in a jacketed kettle
- Allows product to be lifted from the bottom of the vessel at the same time the batch is being pulled down from the top
- Incline design prevents dead zones or areas of uncooked product in the middle of the batch
- Drive gears outside the product area in fully enclosed gear box
- Easily removable footing at the bottom of the agitator
- Ideal for sanitary application
Agitated Jacketed Kettle
- A number of agitation options can quickly be installed for various testing possibilities
- Several portable mixers are available mounted
- A channel with single-motion scraped surface agitator and secondary bar-type agitator can be installed
- Each agitator is powered by individual controls and motors
- Agitation in this vessel in conjunction with a jacket for heating or cooling makes this an ideal unit for various applications
Tri-Mix Turbo Shear™
- One of the most versatile processors available
- Combines heat exchange efficiency and mass blending of double-motion agitator with homogenizing action of high speed Turbo-Shear agitator
- Stands alone for special product applications
Horizontal Ribbon Blender
- Used for folding and gentle blending
- Uniflow jacketed blender has scraped surface double-ribbon design
- Counterflow inner and outer ribbons push product in opposite directions while scraper blades lift the batch from the bottom
- Paddle agitator may also be used for specific applications allowing for various products to be effectively and safely mixed, from fine powders, granulated solids in varying densities, solid-solid and liquid-solid
Examples of food products tested in the Lee pilot plant include: refried beans, chili, cream sauces, stews, red sauces, ground meats, pastas, burrito fillings, potpies, dressings, peanut butter, slurries, spice mixes, mushroom spawn, soups, minute active ingredients, cheese products and starches.
Examples of personal care and pharmaceutical products tested in and the Lee pilot plant include: toothpastes, cough syrups, denture adhesives, medicated skin lotions, depilatories, trans-dermal medications, ointments, shampoos, creams, lipsticks, cough whips, shaving creams and tablets.
There is a way to insure product integrity starting with your very first batch. For additional information or to schedule your own test session, call Lee Industries or email an applications engineer.
