Nobody likes to talk about it, but trimming loss, off-spec runs, and waste piling up are a death by a thousand cuts to your margin. Soft belt separation offers a practical, gentle way to reclaim edible proteins and standardize upstream variability by converting byproducts into profit.

Soft belt separation conveys product between a flexible belt and a perforated drum where uniform pressure gently forces soft, edible products through the holes, while scrapers remove hard components (rind, skin, cartilage, shell, or bone). The process preserves the natural fiber structure and delivers a granular, coarse mince consistency that can be returned to the production line for rework or delivered to another line for further processing.

Our solution leads the industry

SEPAmatic’s gentle mechanics protect texture and quality, ensuring the productis not subjected to grating, grinding, or heating. This avoids overworking the cellular structure and a dense, chewy texture in the final product. Additionally, SEPAmatic minimizes the increase in product temperature (usually less than 2-3 degrees), eliminating the need for rechilling and reducing the risk of microbial contamination. Adding the exclusive SEPAcool system to your SEPAmatic further mitigates any temperature rise in the processed product.
Ross separation solutions from SEPAmatic offer a gentler approach to product recovery than competing processes.

SEPAmatic engineering directly translates into a lower total cost of ownership compared to other methods. Quick‑change drums and belt options, and easy sanitation reduce downtime and labor, while its robust construction ensures worry-free, energy-efficient operation.

Real‑world scenarios for SEPAmatic

• Trim reclamation: Route mixed trimmings (such as beef trim or chicken frames) through the separator to standardize coarse‑mince for sausages, minced beef, or fillings
• Filling recovery: Recover sausage filling from end-of-run natural, collagen, and synthetic casings for return to the host batch
• Seafood shell separation: Separate saleable protein from shells for conversion into seafood cakes, patties, or other formed products
• Reprocessing: Gently remove off‑spec goods for rework, cheese slices, petfood containers, package removal, such a clips from chubs

Choosing the right model

*Hourly capacity based on a 5 mm drum size. Throughput varies by perforation size and product application

Integration tips

Getting the most out of a SEPAmatic really comes down to how well it fits into the rest of your line. For best results, place it right after trimming or portioning so you can capture valuable side streams in real time instead of letting them go to waste.

Make sure you’re using the right drum and belt setup for your specific application. This helps keep separation clean and consistent without sacrificing quality.

Consider adding features like Speedmatic (on select models), which matches throughput to drum speed, and SEPAcool to further mitigate temperature rise. Both will help your line run at a steady, predictable pace and protect your product integrity.

The bottom line

Soft belt separation turns unavoidable byproducts into consistent, saleable protein while safeguarding texture, temperature, and food safety. With high recovery rates, low operating costs, and fast changeovers, processors will see higher yields and reduced waste, transforming a cost center into a profit contributor.

MIDLAND, VA — Ross Industries, a leading provider of food processing equipment and solutions, is pleased to announce the promotion of Bryan Barner to Vice President of Sales, effective immediately.

Bryan brings 13 years of experience at Ross Industries to his new role, most recently serving as Director of Sales. Throughout his tenure, he has played a key role in strengthening customer

relationships, supporting sales growth, and expanding Ross’ presence across the food processing industry.

In his new position, Bryan will oversee all sales operations while focusing on strategic growth initiatives and strengthening partnerships across Ross Industries’ network. His leadership will be instrumental in aligning sales efforts with broader company objectives and driving continued success.

“Bryan will oversee our sales strategy at a higher level, lead cross-functional initiatives, and continue to inspire and grow our team toward even greater success,” said Jamie Usrey, President of Ross Industries. “I’m confident that Bryan’s expertise and passion will help us reach new milestones.

Bryan’s deep industry knowledge, commitment to customer success, and collaborative leadership style have made him a trusted resource for both customers and colleagues. In his expanded role, he will continue to build on that foundation while helping guide Ross Industries into its next phase of growth.

Ross Industries, Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of Jesus Fuentes as the company’s new Latin America & Canada Sales Manager. In this role, Jesus will support Ross’ growing network of partners across Latin America and Canada, strengthening relationships and expanding Ross’ footprint in both regions.

Jesus brings more than two decades of experience in technical sales, business development, project management, and customer support, including extensive work throughout Latin America and global markets. His background includes senior leadership roles focused on driving revenue growth, building customer partnerships, and delivering high-value equipment solutions to major food processing companies. He is also bilingual in English and Spanish, enabling seamless communication and collaboration with Ross’ international partners.

“We are excited to welcome Jesus to the Ross team,” said Brian Nicholas, marketing specialist. “His global sales experience, technical expertise, and deep understanding of customer needs make him a tremendous asset as we continue expanding our presence in Latin America and Canada.”

Please join us in welcoming Jesus to Ross Industries. We look forward to the strong partnerships, new opportunities, and regional growth his leadership will support.

Ross Industries is pleased to welcome Matt Spann and Phil Pescarino to its growing regional sales team. Their combined expertise and customer-focused approach strengthen Ross’s commitment to serving food processors with innovative, high-quality equipment and service.

Matt Spann joins Ross Industries as Regional Sales Manager for the South Central Region, representing customers across Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. Matt brings more than two decades of hands-on manufacturing and equipment experience, including leadership roles at Multivac and KHS USA. Known for his strong technical sales background and customer-first mindset, Matt has earned recognition as a top performer for his ability to develop lasting partnerships and deliver results.

He succeeds Joe Armstrong, who has been promoted to Application Manager for Portion Control. Joe’s technical insight and field experience will continue to play an important role in supporting Ross’s growing portioning solutions portfolio.

Phil Pescarino joins as Regional Sales Manager for the Great Lakes Region, covering Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and western Pennsylvania. With more than 25 years of experience in industrial and food processing equipment sales, Phil brings a deep understanding of the meat, dairy, and prepared foods sectors. His previous roles at FOSS North America, Anderson Instrument Company, and JLS Automation have honed his ability to deliver value-added solutions and foster strategic customer relationships with major processors across North America.

“Matt and Phil bring a wealth of experience, professionalism, and energy to our regional sales team,” said Brian Nicholas, marketing specialist. “Their technical knowledge and commitment to customer success align perfectly with Ross’s mission to provide processors with exceptional equipment and service support.”

Both Matt and Phil are eager to connect with customers in their regions and continue Ross Industries’ tradition of partnership, reliability, and innovation.

We’re excited to welcome Zole Andahazy to Ross Industries as our new West Regional Sales Manager!

Zole brings over a decade of experience in technical sales, business development, and territory management, with a strong focus on serving the food processing, industrial, and sanitation markets. Known for his strategic approach to account growth and his ability to align complex equipment solutions with customer needs, Zole is a great fit for our mission at Ross.

At Ross Industries, we design and manufacture innovative food processing and packaging equipment that helps our customers improve efficiency, safety, and product quality. Zole’s deep understanding of operational efficiency and his customer-first mindset will be invaluable as we continue to support our partners across Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, and Hawaii.

As Ross  continues its expansion and its commitment to smarter food‑packaging solutions, Zole’s role will be critical in positioning the company as the partner of choice for processors seeking reliable equipment, service excellence, and trusted long-term equipment strategies.

Welcome to the team, Zole!

Ross Industries is proud to announce the addition of the ECA 900 Whole Muscle Stuffer to our advanced lineup of stuffing equipment. Designed and manufactured by Pujolàs, the ECA 900 is engineered to meet the growing demand for high-throughput, low-labor production in modern meat and protein processing plants.

Built for Efficiency

At its core, the ECA 900 is a fully automatic whole muscle stuffer that drastically reduces the need for manual handling. It efficiently loads, portions, and stuffs whole muscle products into casings with minimal operator intervention. This level of automation translates directly into labor cost savings, increased throughput, and improved consistency across production lines.

Compact Footprint, Big Impact

Unlike older or bulkier systems, the ECA 900 is designed with space optimization in mind. Its compact design makes it easy to integrate into existing production lines without costly facility modifications. For plants looking to scale operations while maximizing floor space, this is a significant advantage.

A Strong Investment in Productivity

The ECA 900 isn’t just about reducing labor—it’s about delivering a measurable return on investment. By combining high-performance automation with smart, efficient design, it enables meat processors to:

• Increase yield through precision stuffing

• Improve product consistency and appearance

• Minimize downtime and human error

• Scale production efficiently with fewer operators

Contact sales@rossindinc.com to learn more about how the ECA 900 can improve your plant operations.

Ross Industries, Inc. is celebrating 50 years of dedicated service this year! Throughout the years we have strived to provide excellent customer service as well as quality U.S.A made products that reflect the true heart of Ross, and as we’ve reached our 50 year mark we aim to continue doing just that for many years to come. We thank our incredible customers and our committed employees for their continued support – we could not have done this without you! Thank you!

Ross is pleased to announce the appointment of Fernando Guzman as the new Packaging Sales Manager. With over 20 years of experience in the packaging industry, Fernando brings extensive expertise in tray sealers and VSP and MAP technology.

In his position at Ross Industries, Guzman will serve as the subject matter expert for Ross tray sealing equipment, driving growth and market penetration for the company’s packaging solutions. His impressive background includes Principal Engineer for research and development and leading global strategic marketing initiatives at Sealed Air Corporation, where he successfully managed multi-million-dollar projects and expanded packaging adoption across international markets.

“We are excited to welcome Fernando to the Ross Industries team,” said Brian Nicholas, Marketing Manager at Ross Industries. “His proven track record of driving revenue growth and building strong customer relationships will be invaluable as we continue to deliver world-class tray sealers and services to our customers. We look forward to his contributions in advancing our packaging solutions and expanding our market presence.”

Ross Industries designs state-of-the-art machinery for food manufacturers, helping them streamline operations, improve product quality, and enhance food safety while minimizing waste. Guzman’s leadership will play a crucial role in advancing the company’s commitment to excellence in packaging technology.

For more information on Ross Industries and its packaging solutions, visit rossindinc.com/process/tray-sealers/.

We are thrilled to announce the latest addition to our team, Alex Clark, who brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Ross. Alex will assume the role of Great Lakes Regional Sales Manager, overseeing our operations and growth in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and western Pennsylvania.

Alex joins us with an impressive track record in automation technology, previously serving as an account manager at Honeywell and in beverage manufacturing. Alex also served with honor in the United States Navy.

In addition to his extensive professional experience, Alex holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Xavier University.

His commitment to excellence and ability to build strong relationships make him a perfect fit for our team. We are confident that Alex’s leadership will drive our continued success in the Great Lakes region and beyond.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Alex!

Ross Industries Inc., a manufacturer of food processing machinery, announced a 7.5 million dollar expansion of its Virginia production facility. The new 24,000-square-foot building will increase Ross’ product assembly capacity for its line of packaging, slicing, chilling/freezing, and tenderizing machinery. The new building will add 24 electrical and mechanical assembly jobs to the company’s payroll.

Ross will build the new assembly hall adjacent to its existing building which will increase the company’s footprint to over 100,000 square feet of operations, engineering, and manufacturing space. It will also allow for more room for inventory management and warehousing of spare parts.

In addition, the company recently made significant capital investments in next-generation fabrication and manufacturing technologies, including a waterjet cutting facility, laser press brakes, a robotic welding station, and a fully automated line for tenderizer blade manufacturing.

“This state-of-the-art facility represents a significant leap forward for Ross and a testament to our commitment to innovation in quality food manufacturing equipment. With the addition of this facility, we are proud to create 24 new job opportunities for skilled professionals, contributing to the economic prosperity of the region,” said Jamie Usrey, president of Ross Industries.”

Ross Industries was established in 1968 as a manufacturer of the 501 tenderizer, the first commercially available bone-in mechanical tenderizer. Today, Ross designs world-class machinery to help processors streamline their food manufacturing and packaging functions to improve quality, productivity, and food safety while minimizing waste.

We are excited to welcome Ryan Young to Ross Industries Inc. as our new Regional Sales Manager for the Northeast region. Joining us from the manufacturing industry, Ryan brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role. He has a proven track record of developing successful sales strategies and building strong relationships with clients. Before joining Ross Industries, Ryan served as a packaging specialist at 3M and a sales representative with J.J Taylor Companies.

Ryan’s new role at Ross Industries Inc. will see him responsible for managing sales activities across multiple states in the Northeast region, including New England, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware and eastern Pennsylvania. His will focus on growing the company’s customer base, working with key clients, and increasing revenue in that region.

Ryan resides in central Pennsylvania with his wife and two children.