Established in 1984 Shawpak Systems prides itself on providing high level technical sales and support to our valued customer base. Offering solutions for Product Inspection, Packaging and Hygiene equipment sales and after sales support including certified customer training on site or at our Centre of Excellence training and demonstration facility.

What Our Clients Are Saying

Washdown Metal Detectors

A washdown metal detector is a specialized sensing system designed to operate reliably in wet, high-pressure environments where water spray, steam, and cleaning chemicals are part of normal production. Shawpak Systems Ltd supplies these units to food processing facilities, meat operations, and manufacturing plants across North America, with deep expertise in selecting the right detector for your specific production line and washdown protocols.

Food processing and meat handling environments in Oakville and across Canada demand equipment that withstands constant moisture exposure without loss of sensitivity. Metal contamination-whether from worn machinery, broken tools, or foreign material-poses both safety and regulatory compliance risks. A properly specified detector catches these hazards before product reaches customers, protecting brand reputation and preventing costly recalls.

Shawpak Systems has served industrial facilities since 1984, building its reputation on technical advisory work that matches equipment to actual operational needs. The company's Centre of Excellence demonstration facility allows plant managers and operations directors to evaluate metal detection technology under conditions that mirror their own production environment, ensuring confidence in performance before installation.

What makes a detector suitable for washdown conditions?

Washdown environments demand sealed construction, corrosion-resistant materials, and the ability to maintain metal detection accuracy despite constant moisture and cleaning chemical exposure. Industrial-grade models feature fully sealed electronics, stainless steel or epoxy-coated housings, and drainage ports to prevent water pooling. Because food safety regulations require documentation of metal detection effectiveness, these systems must deliver consistent sensitivity across the full product range passing through your line.

Shawpak Systems' technical team evaluates several factors when recommending a detector for your facility:

• Product type and composition (density, moisture content, conductivity)
• Line speed and target sensitivity levels (typically measured in millimeters of metal diameter)
• Wash-down frequency and chemical agents used
• Space constraints and integration with existing conveyor systems
• Frequency of product format changes requiring re-tuning

The detector itself sits upstream or downstream of your washdown station, depending on line layout. Because water conducts electricity, the detector's sensitivity settings must account for moisture in the product and surrounding environment-this is where expert configuration becomes critical. A detector set too aggressively triggers false rejects; set too loosely, it misses genuine contaminants.

How does Shawpak Systems support metal detection equipment in Oakville and across North America?

Shawpak Systems provides three layers of support: initial equipment selection through technical consultation, on-site training for operators and maintenance staff, and certified after-sales service. Because metal detectors require periodic calibration and sensitivity verification, ongoing support is as important as the initial installation.

The company's approach emphasizes partnership rather than transactional supply. Plant managers in meat processing, pharmaceutical, and food manufacturing operations receive guidance on:

• Detector sensitivity tuning specific to your product and packaging materials
• Integration with existing crate cleaning, knife cleaning, and boot cleaning station infrastructure
• Standard operating procedures for daily checks and sensitivity verification
• Parts availability and expedited service response across Canada and the USA

Because Shawpak Systems is the exclusive North American distributor for Hygiene Solutions, the company maintains steady inventory and direct manufacturer relationships. When a detector requires service or parts replacement, response time remains predictable-critical when washdown lines operate under tight production schedules.

On-site training ensures your team understands not just how to operate the detector, but why sensitivity drifts occur and how to recognize when recalibration is needed. This knowledge transfer reduces unplanned downtime and builds confidence in your contamination control system. The Centre of Excellence facility in Oakville also hosts multi-facility training sessions, allowing operations staff to benchmark practices with peers in similar industries.

If you operate a food processing, meat handling, pharmaceutical, or manufacturing facility and need reliable metal detection for washdown environments, contact Shawpak Systems Ltd to discuss your specific requirements. The company's technical team will evaluate your production process, recommend appropriate equipment, and outline a support plan that keeps your line running safely and compliantly.