A Modern, High-Output Yogurt Plant
Müller Telford, a modern yogurt plant that opened in 2009, was acquired in 2013 by Müller Yogurt & Desserts, one of the leading producers of milk-based desserts in the UK. Packaging sizes range from 125 g to 1 kg pots, with a weekly output of around 9 million pots, as Daniel Edwards, Project Engineer at Müller Yogurt & Desserts, explains. Today, all production lines are equipped with Wipotec X-ray inspection systems. The most recent machine arrived from Germany in Telford in 2025.
Customized Solutions for Lines with Preformed Cups
All Wipotec X-ray machines installed at the Telford plant are equipped with two reject stations –one for contamination and one for fill-level deviations. Due to the specific design of the production lines and the varying requirements of the different pot formats, highly customized solutions were required.
On two lines producing 1 kg yogurt pots, a special curtain-free design was implemented to prevent cups from tipping over. This design was combined with a pop-up roller rejection system to avoid collisions during the reject process.
On another line for preformed pots, the challenge was handling relatively large carriers holding 20 pots each, which are used to transport the products through the scanner.
Three Different Concepts for the FFS Lines
There are two lines producing split pots – one compartment with yogurt and one with toppings. The individual cups run through four independent lanes in specially designed SC 6000 systems. Each compartment of the pot is inspected using different software settings to achieve optimal detection performance for the respective ingredients. All four lanes of each machine are equipped with two individual rejecters. With additional infeed conveyors, both SC 6000 systems generate the required product spacing independently, even when products arrive from the filler in cycles.
Advanced X-ray Inspection for Variable Multipack Formats
In addition, there are two lines producing multipacks with six cups or four cups. While products on line 3 pass straight through the X-ray system, line 1 presented a particularly complex scenario. The machine had to be capable of handling 6-packs (2 × 3) running in a dual-lane configuration, as well as 4-packs (2 × 2) running in a three-lane configuration.
The solution consists of a Wipotec SC-WD 6500 with specially designed guide rails, three chain conveyors, and six flap conveyors. Below the flap conveyors, two IP69K-rated conveyors transport rejected products into two separate bins, ensuring safe and easy access for authorized operators.
“What I like most about line 1 is that there’s no changeover, which makes it easier for the operator. So, when we change from 4-pack to 6-pack, there is no issue there. Nothing for the operator to do,” says Daniel Edwards.
The Enabler: Modularity
Not long ago, there was also a line producing yogurt drinks, for which Wipotec implemented a curtain-free side-view scanner operating at approximately 300 small bottles per minute.
All of these individual machine designs are made possible by the modular concept of Wipotec’s SC series X-ray machines. Each system is purpose-built, providing customers with excellent long-term performance and a low total cost of ownership – particularly due to reduced downtime.
Excellent Project Execution and Service
Daniel Edwards notes that he has “managed five projects with Wipotec, four which were at Telford. As I’ve got more familiarity with process, the projects have got better and better each time. The machines come across, they are ready for run within three days, four days of the line going off.” Since the Telford plant operates 24/7, he particularly values the local support as well as the option for remote maintenance.
Check out the whole interview
Our customer:
Müller Yogurt & Desserts
As part of the Unternehmensgruppe Theo Müller, one of the largest dairy companies in Europe, Müller Yogurt & Desserts is a leading producer of yogurt and chilled dairy desserts in the UK. The company supplies both branded products and private-label solutions to major retail chains. Its portfolio includes a wide range of yogurt products, from single-serve cups to multipacks and large-format pots.
Established: In operation since 2009
Location: Telford, UK
Products: Yogurt, including split pots, multipacks, and 1 kg pots
More information: www.muller.co.uk
Müller Telford, a modern yogurt plant that opened in 2009, was acquired in 2013 by Müller Yogurt & Desserts, one of the leading producers of milk-based desserts in the UK. Packaging sizes range from 125 g to 1 kg pots, with a weekly output of around 9 million pots, as Daniel Edwards, Project Engineer at Müller Yogurt & Desserts, explains. Today, all production lines are equipped with Wipotec X-ray inspection systems. The most recent machine arrived from Germany in Telford in 2025.
Customized Solutions for Lines with Preformed Cups
All Wipotec X-ray machines installed at the Telford plant are equipped with two reject stations –one for contamination and one for fill-level deviations. Due to the specific design of the production lines and the varying requirements of the different pot formats, highly customized solutions were required.
On two lines producing 1 kg yogurt pots, a special curtain-free design was implemented to prevent cups from tipping over. This design was combined with a pop-up roller rejection system to avoid collisions during the reject process.
On another line for preformed pots, the challenge was handling relatively large carriers holding 20 pots each, which are used to transport the products through the scanner.
Three Different Concepts for the FFS Lines
There are two lines producing split pots – one compartment with yogurt and one with toppings. The individual cups run through four independent lanes in specially designed SC 6000 systems. Each compartment of the pot is inspected using different software settings to achieve optimal detection performance for the respective ingredients. All four lanes of each machine are equipped with two individual rejecters. With additional infeed conveyors, both SC 6000 systems generate the required product spacing independently, even when products arrive from the filler in cycles.
Advanced X-ray Inspection for Variable Multipack Formats
In addition, there are two lines producing multipacks with six cups or four cups. While products on line 3 pass straight through the X-ray system, line 1 presented a particularly complex scenario. The machine had to be capable of handling 6-packs (2 × 3) running in a dual-lane configuration, as well as 4-packs (2 × 2) running in a three-lane configuration.
The solution consists of a Wipotec SC-WD 6500 with specially designed guide rails, three chain conveyors, and six flap conveyors. Below the flap conveyors, two IP69K-rated conveyors transport rejected products into two separate bins, ensuring safe and easy access for authorized operators.
“What I like most about line 1 is that there’s no changeover, which makes it easier for the operator. So, when we change from 4-pack to 6-pack, there is no issue there. Nothing for the operator to do,” says Daniel Edwards.
The Enabler: Modularity
Not long ago, there was also a line producing yogurt drinks, for which Wipotec implemented a curtain-free side-view scanner operating at approximately 300 small bottles per minute.
All of these individual machine designs are made possible by the modular concept of Wipotec’s SC series X-ray machines. Each system is purpose-built, providing customers with excellent long-term performance and a low total cost of ownership – particularly due to reduced downtime.
Excellent Project Execution and Service
Daniel Edwards notes that he has “managed five projects with Wipotec, four which were at Telford. As I’ve got more familiarity with process, the projects have got better and better each time. The machines come across, they are ready for run within three days, four days of the line going off.” Since the Telford plant operates 24/7, he particularly values the local support as well as the option for remote maintenance.
Check out the whole interview
Our customer:
Müller Yogurt & Desserts
As part of the Unternehmensgruppe Theo Müller, one of the largest dairy companies in Europe, Müller Yogurt & Desserts is a leading producer of yogurt and chilled dairy desserts in the UK. The company supplies both branded products and private-label solutions to major retail chains. Its portfolio includes a wide range of yogurt products, from single-serve cups to multipacks and large-format pots.
Established: In operation since 2009
Location: Telford, UK
Products: Yogurt, including split pots, multipacks, and 1 kg pots
More information: www.muller.co.uk
