Sinclair donates labeling equipment to campus fresh fruit packing line

Photo gallery

Fresno State’s Bee Sweet Citrus Laboratory received a key upgrade this spring thanks to a citrus labeling equipment donation by Sinclair Systems International.

The two-lane RM6 labeling system can handle up to 720 pieces of produce per minute and interfaces with the equipment's sizer to carefully affix a newly-designed Fresno State campus farm produce label.  

The automated piece of equipment is worth about $20,000, and will be maintained free of charge by the company.

“Sinclair understands the importance of giving back to the local community by educating tomorrow’s agricultural workforce," said Steve Emmons, Sinclair North America Sales Director. "I hope that current and future students take advantage of what this class offers and learn from the technology built into our labeling machines.  All of us at Sinclair look forward to working with Fresno State and helping the younger generations of the Valley foster and grow their passion for agriculture.” 

The equipment was demonstrated in mid-March to 14 students in the “Fundamentals of Citrus Processing Line” industrial technology class. Technicians and representatives from Sinclair came to campus for an informative three-hour session that included a powerpoint presentation and a hands-on demonstration.

The Fresno-based company is a world leader in produce labels, labeling machinery and technical support. Operating since 1982, it now employs 200 workers and its patented technology of automatic high-speed fruit labeling systems for individual pieces of fresh produce.

The company operates in over 35 countries worldwide with 10 manufacturing plants in the USA, Australia, Chile, Israel, China, New Zealand, South Africa, Thailand and the United Kingdom.

The donation was courtesy of outreach efforts by the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, the Dean’s office, Ag One and Sinclair.

The equipment will be integrated into the Bee Sweet Citrus Fresh Fruit Packing Line that was unveiled in February 2017. Utilizing processing equipment from six other area manufacturers, the line is a more compact working model of the same modern equipment used by other leading area manufacturers and valued at $600,000.

"The addition of the labeler offers students of Jordan College a unique opportunity to familiarize with automation and related technologies."

Sections of the equipment can process up to 16 oranges, mandarins, grapefruit, lemons, nectarines, peaches or pomegranates per second.

The packing line can inspect, clean, wash, dry, sort, box, label and seal fruit harvested from the 1,000-acre campus farm. Located in the Grosse Industrial Technology Building, the equipment provides industrial technology, food science and plant science students with hands-on instruction for mechanical systems and industrial maintenance as they apply to food processing and safety.

"The equipment and citrus production class serves as a vital, hands-on link to an important industry in the nation’s leading agricultural area," said Dr. Athanasios Alexandrou. "Fresno State students interested in working in systems management positions will have an incredible chance see the latest produce production innovation and position themselves for rewarding jobs and careers. The Department of Industrial Technology is humbled and proud of Sinclair International’s support of our students and contribution to their educational experience."