Micro-Steel's^TM rapid payback, easy financing sold Mullins
When Membrane System Specialists introduced its Micro-Steel^TM Caustic Recovery System in 1991, Don Mullins, owner of Mullins cheese in Knowlton, Wisconsin, was intrigued. He liked the possibilities the system represented, but he also had some concerns.

Was his plant big enough to benefit from the system? How would he finance it? And, if he decided to purchase, how long would it take before he saw a return on his investment?

Membrane System Specialists worked with Millins cheese to determine whether there would be a benefit to utilizing a caustic recovery system. The plant had been using about 70 gallons of caustic daily. Research supported the benefits to the plant of using a caustic recovery system, but this was only the first step.

Membrane System Specialists then worked with Millins Cheese to develop a financing package that made sense for them. A lease program was tailored for their needs.

"We were sold on the concept of caustic recovery from the start, but we weren't sure it was right for our plant," Don Mullins said.

"Membrane System Specialists helped us weigh all of the options, but the decision was totally ours. They made purchasing the system easy for us. Our caustic savings exceed our lease payments, so we've been saving since the first month," he said.

Mini Mem-BrineTM packs a big punch
The newest model in Membrane System Specialists' Mem-Brine^TM family, the 240, makes the system a great investment for even the smallest cheese plants.

"No plant is going to be exempt from meeting the strict government standards set for brine quality," said Director of Sales Marian Oehme. "The Mem-Brine^TM 240, which uses just two elements, was designed specifically for plants that are processing 1,000 - 2,000 gallons daily."

Product Notes
It's Element-ary

TKN, NPN and UF Protein Retention
When an ultrafiltration system shows low protein retention that cannot be explained by leaking interconnectors or membranes, doing an NPN analysis on the incoming whey, concentrate, and permeate may help identify the cause.

NPN is the abbreviation for Non-protein Nitrogen. Non-Protein nitrogen theoretically is only nitrogen from compounds other than proteins. These substances are usually low molecular weight by-products of nitrogen metabolism such as ammonia, urea, uric acid, creatinine, and creatine. In reality, NPN also includes polypeptide and peptide chains less than 10,000 MW and amino acids. Non-protein nitrogen constitutes approximately 5 - 6 percent of the total nitrogen in milk.

The Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) procedure analyzes for total nitrogen, regardless of its source. Consequently, NPN is included in a TKN test result; however, TKN results are usually reported as percent protein by taking the percent nitrogen test results and multiplying it by a factor – in the case of milk, 6.38 – to give percent protein. This method of reporting will not give an indication of high NPN content, since it assumes a constant protein percentage.

The amount of NPN in whey can be affected by bacteriological, particularly psychotrophic, activity in raw milk to be used in cheese-making. Psychotrophes, bacteria that grow in cold temperatures, break down milk proteins into polypeptide chains. Given enough time and/or population, they will not only break down the proteins, but also degrade the polypeptide chains into smaller chains or even amino acids.

This type of protein degradation is not desirable, since cheese yields are decreased. If the whey is being process by ultrafiltration into WPC, protein retention also is decreased since these small polypeptide chains will pass through the membrane and be lost to the permate.

If you have questions that require technical assistance or are unsure of current practices, don't hesitate to call Membrane System Specialist' Technical Service Representative, Karin Terrell, at 715-421-2333

Emerging Application
Pilot testing is an effective was to explore ways to increase profitability in your business through new applications. This column provides brief highlights of emerging applications research.

Concentration of animal blood plasma - A reverse osmosis membrane was used to increase total solids (TS) 2 -3 times. Use of reverse osmosis in this application removes water more efficiently than an evaporator and would reduce trucking costs.

Removal of suspended solids from dairy waste water effluent - In this application a thin film composite UF membrane was used to clarify the waste water prior to discharging. Concentration of 5 percent was achieved.

Reduction of NaCl level in soy sauce - A nanofiltration element was used to effectively reduce the level of NaCl by 85%; however permeated protein and amino acids created an undesirable secondary effect.

Our Mission Defined
One sign of a growing company is when it becomes time to put down in words the beliefs that have helped the business through its formative years. Recently, Membrane System Specialists staff did just that: "Membrane System Specialists is committed to the professional, aggressive development, sourcing, marketing, sales, and support of quality, cost effective applications of separation technology. In partnership with our customers, vendors, and employees in the food industry, Membrane System Specialists will exceed customer expectations in a competitive marketplace."

It is our firm commitment to continue to conduct our business with these principles in the forefront of our decision-making.

Profile - Marian Oehme, Director of Sales
Membrane System Specialists national Sales Director Marian Oehme has become accustomed to the lifestyle of a frequent traveler. She's made it a priority to meet with as many clients and potential clients as possible while making coast-to-coast trips during her first year in this newly-created position.

"Selling is a partnership – a mutually shared responsibility. I want to meet with people in their own environment and see how they conduct their business. It's the best way for me to help them decide what systems can help them increase profits and improve the efficiency of their operations," she said.

Prior to being promoted to sales director, Marian was the company's's sales and marketing coordinator for three years.

Marian received her bachelor's degree in business from the University of Texas and has extensive experience in customer relations. Staff News President David Hibbard headed the American Cancer Society's most successful Jail and Bail fund raising campaign in the Wisconsin Rapids area this year and Gregory Pesko led the way in contribution, raising more than $3,000. Membrane System Specialists maintain a strong commitment to assist in a cure for cancer in memory of founder David Hibbard's wife, Donna, who died of the disease in 1989. Thanks to our clients and vendors who have generously contributed to this cause.

Judy Krug and Pam Meddaugh recently completed the highly-renowned Dale Carnegie course in customer relations, part of the company's's ongoing effort to better meet client needs.

Partnerships Key Theme of Sales Meeting
"Beyond the Challenge" was the title for Membrane System Specialists three-day Annual Sales Meeting in August, but the importance of partnerships with customers and suppliers was emphasized throughout the program.

In an inspiring panel presentation titled Partners in Technology, experts from across the country shared with Membrane System Specialists their thoughts on where membrane filtration technology should be headed and, from a regulatory perspective, what the top concerns will be in the next three to five years.

Panelists included: Dr. Bill Wendorff, dairy manufacturing specialist, University of Wisconsin; Everett Johnson, technical specialist, state of Wisconsin; Don Benning, director of technology & engineering, Mid-America Dairymen; John Poe, sales agent, Pro-Sales; Dr. Wayne Geilman, research scientists, Cal Poly University; Dr. Bala Raghunath, Membrane System Specialists; and Fred Liberatore, manager food and dairy industry, Desalination Systems.

Because of their commitment to research and partnership with Membrane System Specialists, Desalination Systems was named Vendor of the Year at an awards program during the sales meeting

Don Benson, a technical sales agent for Membrane System Specialists since 1989, received his second Sales Agent of the Year award that same evening.

A highlight of the sales meeting was a keynote presentation by Max Carey, nationally reowned brand differentiation specialist. Carey, whose company was named to the Inc. 500 list of the fastest growing companies in the United States just two years before Membrane System Specialists received the same recognition, summarized his comments to Membrane System Specialists by sharing his seven keys to entrepreneurial success:

1. Complete with integrity. 2. Succeed and fail with dignity. 3. Manage your subordinates With compassion. 4. Manage yourself with mercy. 5. Allow others to help you and reward their contributions openly 6. Celebrate small successes. 7. Give thanks to God daily.

We found these wise words to work and live by and worthwhile to share with our readers.

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