Ecotech (UK) Ltd, one the UK's leading providers of glasshouse lighting, irrigation and control systems, has secured an agreement with Lock, the German manufacturer of glasshouse ventilation and screening drive equipment, to become its principal UK distributor.

Under the terms of the new arrangement, Ecotech will become the key supplier of all new Lock installations, as well as the key point of contact for spare parts and after-sales service.

"We are delighted to announce the details of our new arrangement with Lock," said Ross Hibbs, managing director of Ecotech (UK) Ltd.

"Lock products are undoubtedly leaders in their field, and perfectly complement our existing range of products and services. It's also an excellent time of the year to start to work with Lock, since growers should be beginning to think about upgrading or servicing their ventilation and screening equipment. We look forward to hearing from all users of Lock equipment, whether they're interested in a new system, seasonal servicing or just looking for a spare part."

Lock specialises in the design and development of the drive systems used to control ventilation and screening systems for commercial glasshouses. It's product range includes power drives, rack and pinions, couplings, and control units as well as manual drives and gear units.

Lock has introduced several new products to the market place, its new intelligent "FU-LOGIC" drive system can receive input signals such as temperature, wind, rain or smoke and then determine the speed and direction in which the power drive should operate.

The new "Dino" power drive EWA 16 is an innovative design and rated for torques up to 1500 Nm. Thanks to the new design the "Dino" has an extended product service life and reduced operation noise.

Other new products include the LZG ventilation rack XL (extra large) roller screen motor drives and angle deflection gear units complete the recent product introductions.

Ready meals manufacturer Country Chef is the first Belgian company to invest in Lock's MET 30+3f triple frequency metal detector with ADC software. One of two new Lock systems installed at the plant, the MET 30+ 3f offers the highest levels of sensitivity for fresh and frozen products. Lock has also installed a MET 30+ mounted on a microconveyer to cater for space constraints on Country Chef's salad line.

Based in Aalter, Belgium, Country Chef produces and exports ready meals to major supermarket chains in the UK and Europe. Two systems were required as the company operates separate lines for meat, fish and chicken-based products and for salads and sauces.

For the salads and sauces line, Lock's compact MicroConveyer was installed. Measuring just 500,m in length and fitted with a MET 30+ metal detector, this unit provides maximum reliability while occupying minimum floor space.

For Country Chef, Lock was the best solution for this project as they offered a package tailored to the needs of a ready-meals production line.

"As a new business it is vital for us to install the most up-to-date equipment, capable of performing to the highest standard," said Mr Kochuyt, operations manager at Country Chef. "The 3f was ideal for is as the detector automatically switches frequency when a different product is introduced. We are now confident that the highest levels of sensitivity are being achieved for our fresh and frozen product lines.

"The two way communication system on the data management feature provides a useful feedback on detector performance. We can adjust the settings from the office as well as from the production line, which we have found to be very convenient and labour-saving."