In 1981, Fred Clarke heard of an intriguing invention that was revolutionising the banana industry in the US. For many years, ripening of tropical fruit was a dangerous task, as the way of introducing ethylene into a fruit ripening room could be difficult and unsafe. So, Mr. Clarke set out to change British ripening. He arranged for all the necessary registrations and introduced the ethylene products of Catalytic Generators to the United Kingdom, under the name Ripe-Rite Ltd.
40 years have passed since Ripe-Rite Ltd began, and Fred’s son Paul has grown the company into a service-oriented business that continues as a family operation. Paul’s daughter Reah is learning the ropes and the company plans to be a third-generation company. “We are committed to serving the UK market,” says Paul Clarke, the firm’s managing Director. He points out that they have supported most of the UK’s ripening facilities for decades, and says “our track record is one of stability, dedication and commitment.”
“Not only do we have thousands of boxes of Ethy-Gen® II in stock to provide quick delivery, but we also provide maintenance on Easy-Ripe® ethylene generators,” says Clarke. “While our generators are dependable, whenever service is required, we can exchange them and provide our customers with fast delivery and uninterrupted ripening.”
Clarke has also seen the evolution of regulatory requirements over the years for ripening products. “As things change on this front, I and my American partners have maintained stringent compliance with CRD regulations.” The firm estimates that £750,000 has been invested over the past 15 years, as they try to go above and beyond to guarantee its customers can have the finest ethylene products, and ones that meet all safety and governmental standards. As a global company with close to 50 years experience of fruit ripening, Catalytic Generators enjoy authorisation in countries that regulate ethylene as a ripening agent, such as Europe, GB, and the USA, complying with all regulatory standards.
The company’s ethylene generators continue to hold authorisation to bear the TÜV Product Service seal. “This means our customers are using equipment that meets international safety standards and have been evaluated for electrical safety and risk,” Clarke points out. This is a continuous process and TÜV audits the main production facilities quarterly to ensure sustained compliance.
Ripe-Rite has broadened their desire for meeting all compliance procedures by registering Ethy-Gen® II with HMRC. The main ingredient, ethanol, is made from the highest-quality US corn and the strict production process results in the highest purity ethanol. It meets or exceeds all USP and FCC (food-grade) specifications. Furthermore, since Ethy-Gen® II is made from grain and not petroleum, it is considered carbon neutral and approved for use in organic fruit ripening by the Soil Association and other organic boards across the globe.
“Ethylene is our only business,” remarked Clarke. “It’s what we do…we take it and the fruit ripening business very seriously. We will not take any shortcuts in the quality of the products, compliance with testing standards, or with governmental regulations.”
Contact:
Paul Clarke
Managing Director
Ripe-Rite, Ltd.
Meadowside, Prees Green,
Whitchurch, Shropshire
SY13 2BL
email: [email protected]
Tel: +44 (0) 1948 840784 (office)
Tel: +44 (0) 7785 274776 (mobile)
https://www.catalyticgenerators.co.uk
