Bettcher Industries Introduces New 1000 Family Models In Its Whizard Series II Modular Trimmer Line.

Business Editors

VERMILION, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 11, 2000

A new family of Whizard(R) Series II Modular Trimmers is now available from Bettcher Industries, Inc. The newly introduced 1000 Family models are designed for many important and diverse trimming applications, from defatting hams, briskets, loins and strips, to facing bellies, trimming jowls, pork skin patching, and salmon slicing.

The Whizard Series II is the latest generation of modular trimmers introduced by Bettcher Industries, the first models of which were pioneered by this company in the late 1980s. Series II incorporates new, patented design elements to enhance operator productivity, safety and comfort, including captive hex-head housing screws that provide faster, easier removal and reinstallation of the blade housing and blades. The new design also makes it easier for operators to fine-tune the blade adjustment.

Other improvements to the blades and housing make Whizard(R) Series II trimmers markedly different from preceding designs. A new blade/housing interface generates lower vibration "chatter" and less heat, thereby improvingworker operating conditions. An enhanced gear mesh design contributes to smoother blade operation, while better proximity to the built-in steeling device button makes steeling blades quicker and more comfortable.

All Series II handpieces feature a contoured handle design to reduce grip force and torque momentum. Operators choose from four handle sizes (large, medium, small, and extra small), which are easily interchangeable. Made of Trefsin(R), a food- and medical-grade material, the handles are color-coded by size for easy identification. They are very comfortable, even during periods of extended use.

A hand-strap provides operators with added control if desired, while the flex-shaft/casing attaches to the handpiece with a simple two-action motion.

According to Dr. John E. Johnson, Certified Professional Ergonomist and Bettcher's Director of Marketing, the features of the new Whizard(R) Series II 1000 Family models are designed to appeal to the changing meat processing workforce, adding new degrees of safety and comfort as well as promoting higher productivity. "The beauty of Series II is that employees will have little or nothing to adjust in their processing tasks, other than switching to a tool that's lighter and better-balanced. We've redesigned the tool to fit the hand more comfortably, operate easier, and enhance productivity and yields," he notes.

Established in 1944, Bettcher Industries is a leading developer and manufacturer of innovative precision cutting tools for food processing operations and industrial applications worldwide. For more information about the new 1000 Family models in the Whizard(R)Series II line, contact Bettcher Industries, Inc., P.O. Box 336, Vermilion, OH 44089 USA. Phone: [phone]. FAX: [phone]. Web site address: www.bettcher.com.

Trefsin is a registered trademark of Advanced Elastomer Systems, L.P.