About Tetley GB Ltd

Tetley GB Ltd, a subsidiary of Tata Tea, is one of the UK’s most beloved tea brands and a major player in the global tea market. At its Eaglescliffe, Teesside facility, Tetley blends and packs an impressive 50 million tea bags per week, supplying its wide range of teas to tea lovers across Britain.

Tetley Bulk Bag Handling Requirements

To improve operational efficiency at their decaffeinated tea handling facility, Tetley aimed to transition from handling 25 kg sacks to using 500 kg (1,100 lb) bulk bags. The move to bulk bags allowed tea to be delivered stacked two-high on single pallets, maximizing transport efficiency.

Bulk Bag Discharger Solution

Spiroflow, now part of Akona Process Solutions, provided a tailored solution centered around their Type 6 Bulk Bag Unloader. The advanced system included an integrated hoisting mechanism, allowing Tetley to:

• Efficiently handle stacked bags: The upper bag loops are attached to a lifting frame, which can be hoisted, traversed, and accurately positioned on the unloader. This design frees up forklifts for other essential tasks during production.
• Ensure dust-free transfer: The unloader features a containment cabinet and pneumatically powered pinch closure bars. Operators can untie the bag neck securely inside the cabinet. With the dust cabinet door interlocked and closed, the spout closure bars open, enabling controlled flow into containers below.
• Maintain a clean, safe environment: The system connects seamlessly to Tetley’s central dust collection infrastructure, preventing dust emissions during both filling and maintenance operations.
• Enhance product safety: A magnet positioned above the docking system captures any foreign metal contaminants that might have been introduced during upstream processing.

Bulk Bag Discharging Operational Benefits

• Improved efficiency: Transitioning to bulk bag handling significantly reduced manual labour and streamlined tea transfer to blending.
• Cleaner operations: The dust-tight design minimized product loss and maintained a cleaner workspace.
• Enhanced safety and product integrity: Metal contamination risks were mitigated, ensuring consistent product quality for consumers.

Delivering Efficiency and Quality for Leading Tea Producers

Our expertise in bulk material handling and commitment to innovative design enabled Tetley GB Ltd to significantly enhance their decaffeinated tea processing line. Now as part of Akona Process Solutions, Spiroflow continues to help global beverage leaders like Tetley achieve greater efficiency, safety, and product quality across their operations.

Want to learn more?

If you’re interested in our bulk bag discharger and hoist systems and want to learn more, speak with our team. We’ll work closely with you to find the best solution for your material processing and operational goals.