Food Processing– Hygienic, Efficient Motion Solutions You Can Trust

The food and beverage industry faces unique challenges: strict sanitation standards, aggressive washdown procedures, and the need for consistent, high‑quality throughput. Crossman Automation understands these demands because we’ve supported food processors across Western Canada and beyond for decades. Our partnerships with leading manufacturers and our in‑house engineering expertise mean we can recommend and integrate the right motor, drive or power‑transmission solution for any application.

Industry Challenges and Requirements

Food and beverage facilities must clean and sanitise equipment thoroughly to prevent contamination. Washing often involves high‑pressure water, steam and caustic chemicals. Motors and drive components in these “wet” areas need to withstand frequent washdowns; that’s why washdown‑duty motors use sealed stainless‑steel or corrosion‑resistant enclosures and are available in painted, unpainted or stainless‑steel versions. These motors meet ingress‑protection ratings—IP65, IP66, IP67 or even IP69K—to survive powerful jets and high‑temperature cleaning agents. Selecting the correct motor and control equipment is critical to ensuring washdowns can be handled safely and efficiently.

On the process side, food production relies on pumps, mixers, conveyors, extruders and packaging equipment to operate smoothly. Variable‑frequency drives (VFDs) have become indispensable because they control motor speed and torque precisely, offering flexibility and significant energy savings. VFDs regulate pump flow, ensure smooth conveyor start‑ups and controlled stops, and maintain consistent speed and torque in mixers and extruders. Soft‑start capabilities reduce mechanical stress and noise while dynamic response features adjust instantly to load changes. Even a modest 20 % reduction in speed can cut energy use by nearly 50 %—a powerful way to lower operating costs and carbon footprint.

Crossman Automation’s Deep Industry Knowledge

Crossman Automation isn’t just a supplier; we’re an industry partner. Our long history serving food processors has given us deep insight into the regulatory, safety and productivity requirements unique to this sector. We know which motors withstand daily washdowns, which drives maintain precise speed control for batching and mixing, and which gearheads and clutches can handle packaging cycles without failure. We pride ourselves on being more than a parts distributor—we’re a systems integrator and problem solver.

Our collaboration with Nexen, for instance, has enabled us to supply power‑transmission components widely used in the food processing industry. We also engineer and manufacture Danfoss variable‑frequency drives for industrial and oil‑field applications, offering both standard and custom designs tailored to your environment. Our patented Sensorless Artificial Lift Technology (S.A.L.T.) shows our ability to innovate and adapt drive technology for specialised tasks.

Our Product Solutions

Washdown‑Duty Motors: We stock a wide range of washdown‑duty motors—from painted and epoxy‑coated models to stainless‑steel designs—capable of handling the high‑pressure washdowns and wet environments typical of food processing. These motors meet stringent IP ratings to prevent water ingress. Whether you need single‑phase motors for small equipment or three‑phase, high‑horsepower units for heavy processing lines, we can supply the right motor in foot‑mounted or C‑face configurations.

Variable‑Frequency Drives: Our VFD portfolio covers low‑voltage, medium‑voltage and decentral drives. Modern VFDs control motor speed and torque precisely, enabling applications like pump control, conveyor synchronisation, mixer speed regulation and energy recovery. By matching motor output to process demand, VFDs reduce energy use and mechanical wear—saving money and reducing downtime. Crossman is a full‑line supplier of Danfoss and Vacon drives, plus soft starters and harmonic filters. We can also configure custom software and control interfaces to meet your specific process requirements.

Power‑Transmission and Motion Control: Food processing often requires precise indexing, tension control or torque limiting. We supply Nexen clutches, brakes, gearheads and tension‑control systems that provide accurate, repeatable performance—even in harsh, washdown environments. Our industry experience ensures we recommend components that meet sanitary standards while delivering long‑term reliability.

Why Choose Crossman Automation?

Deep Sector Expertise: We’ve worked extensively in the food processing industry, from meat and dairy to baking, bottling and packaging, so we understand your challenges.
Comprehensive Product Offering: As a stocking distributor and systems integrator, we can provide the full range of motors, drives, gearboxes, clutches and safety components you need.
Custom Engineering & Support: Our engineers tailor solutions to your facility, considering washdown requirements, energy‑efficiency goals and process dynamics. We also offer technical support and repair services to keep your equipment running.
Energy Savings & Reliability: By choosing the right motor‑drive combination and optimizing your system, we can deliver potential energy savings up to 60 % while enhancing uptime and product quality.

Let’s Talk About Your Facility

Whether you operate a small artisan facility or a large, multi‑site plant, Crossman Automation has the products and expertise to help. We’ll start by understanding your process, sanitation protocols and performance goals, then recommend a tailored solution—from washdown motors to smart drives and power‑transmission components. Contact us today to discuss your food processing application and discover how we can improve efficiency, compliance and reliability.