Validation Lab: Advanced Research & Testing for Processors
Apache Stainless, is proud to introduce our state‑of‑the‑art Validation Lab—a dedicated research and test facility designed to help food processors innovate, validate, and commercialize products with confidence.
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Purpose‑Built for Processing Innovation
Located in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, this cutting‑edge facility combines advanced processing equipment with a multidisciplinary team of process engineers, controls specialists, and service technicians. The facility is designed to Mepaco equipment with new product testing, recipe validation, and equipment acceptance.
The 1,000‑square‑foot Validation Lab was designed to replicate real‑world production environments, giving customers the ability to test, refine, and validate products before full‑scale implementation.
Advanced Equipment & Infrastructure
- Onsite Leer cooler and freezer
- 50 HP boiler
- Full washdown capabilities with Sanimatic Clean‑In‑Place (CIP) system
- Equipment designed to meet state and federal processing regulations
Product Development & Process Validation
The Validation Lab is equipped with a single and double agitator Mepaco ThermaBlend® test unit. Processors can evaluate heat transfer, agitation profiles, product integrity and batch uniformity before full scale deployment.
Apache’s in-house lab is also equipped for small vessel testing and validation, including construction, agitator performance, verification of thermal processing parameters and CIP coverage assessments.
These systems allow processors to develop and test a wide variety of products under true production conditions.
Customers can also schedule the facility for Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) to:
- Fine‑tune controls
- Optimize recipes
- Validate processing performance before equipment installation
Expert Application Support
Our in‑house team of application engineers and controls technicians provides hands‑on support at every stage of development—from concept through commercialization.
We offer deep expertise across a wide range of markets, including:
- Prepared foods
- Meat and poultry
- Pet foods
- Cheese and dairy
- Plant
Collaborative Testing Environment
The Validation Lab includes a large, attached conference room with:
- Window viewing into the test area
- Full multimedia and presentation technology
- Support for both in‑person and remote collaboration
- Observe testing in real time, review data, and collaborate efficiently throughout the validation process.
Benefits for Our Customers
Working with the Validation Lab enables customers to:
- Accelerate product development through in‑house testing
- Verify processing effectiveness before capital investment
- Reduce risk by validating equipment and infrastructure
- Collaborate directly with experienced application engineers
- Gain confidence in scale