Steinfeld’s journey with the I-Cut 122 TrimSort

Creating the right end products for changing market demands

Until now, Geflügelspezialitäten Steinfeld has mainly supplied large foodservice markets. However, due to changing market dynamics, the need to also serve the retail sector has become more apparent. This transition requires the production of a variety of products such as cubes, strips, and medallions, creating the need for an efficient portion cutter in production. 

Meeting market expectations 

GFS was looking for a solution that could deliver precise cuts with minimal trim and guarantee the highest product standards. The GFS and JBT Marel teams worked closely together to run a test with the desired end products using the I-Cut 122 TrimSort. This cooperative approach ensured that the I-Cut was tailored exactly to GFS’s specific requirements. Various rigorous tests were carried out to confirm that the I-Cut 122 outperformed the competition and exceeded the expectations in yield, precision, and efficiency. 

A well-considered decision 

Geflügelspezialitäten Steinfeld’s decision to invest in the I-Cut 122 TrimSort was based not only on current production needs but also on their commitment to quality and efficiency. JBT Marel’s reputation, along with the strong relationship between the two companies—built on reliability, trust, and future-readiness—played a key role in this choice. 

An investment that grows 

Steinfeld’s choice of the I-Cut 122 TrimSort underlines that advanced portioning technology is not just for large companies. For a medium-sized, independent producer like GFS, this investment marks the company’s entry into the world of portioncutting technology, starting with a standalone machine. The management of Geflügelspezialitäten Steinfeld explains: “Our I-Cut 122 TrimSort will not remain standalone for long—it will grow with us and be integrated into the line. Retailers impressed by our product quality are already urging us to offer a wider range and higher volumes. To meet these demands, we are in the midst of reconfiguring our production line and making significant adjustments.

Every stage of the journey

The I-Cut 122 will fit seamlessly into this reconfiguration, as it is easy to scale and upgrade. It can grow from a single machine into a fully integrated portioning line with the capacity to produce a wide range of retail products in large volumes. JBT Marel stands alongside GFS, providing support, service, and solutions such as a SmartSplitter, RoboOptimizer, return belt, or even a RoboBatcher. This flexibility allows GFS to adapt to changing production demands and stay competitive at all times.

Maximizing use

The I-Cut 122 TrimSort has already proved to be a valuable investment for Geflügelspezialitäten Steinfeld. It runs eight hours a day, five days a week, processing up to 1,000 kilograms of poultry per hour—all breast meat deboned in an AMF-i and inspected by SensorX. The main product is medallions for the retail market. The GFS team says: “We want to make the most of every breast meat product that enters the I-Cut and use various programs to do so. When we cut fillets on the upper belts into medallions, the trim pieces on the lower belts become nuggets. Alternatively, we can cut breast fillets into uniform strips with the end pieces going to the lower belt as nuggets.”

For GFS, minimizing trim is a top priority. Valuable trim should not end up as animal feed or ground meat when instead it can be made into high-quality products. The I-Cut 122 TrimSort makes this possible, producing the desired end-product combinations with minimal trim, whether medallions, strips, nuggets or cubes as the main product for retail. The result is maximum added value.

A model for other processors 

Just like Geflügelspezialitäten Steinfeld, poultry processors of any size can benefit from the scalability of the I-Cut, which evolves with their needs. With an I-Cut 122 TrimSort, large initial investments are not needed. They can start small and grow as demand increases, remaining competitive with JBT Marel’s support to adapt the process to new conditions. By prioritizing quality, efficiency, and adaptability, GFS has positioned itself for long-term success. Their journey with the I-Cut 122 portion cutter shows how poultry processors can maximize the value of their raw materials, create the desired end-product combinations and stay one step ahead in a dynamic market.