Founded in 1973, AMS Instrumentation & Calibration (AMS IC) has built a reputation for delivering high-quality instrumentation and calibration solutions. The company has expanded across Australia with offices in Melbourne, New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia, as well as extending services to New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and other parts of the Pacific.
It offers a range of services aimed at ensuring industrial instruments and equipment function accurately and in compliance with relevant industry standards.
“We are a specialised equipment innovation company offering calibration equipment for the food industry. Some of our product lines are specifically designed for the food sector,” said AMS IC CEO Dirk Kuiper.
“Our main focus is on providing high-quality, sanitary equipment that is well-suited for this industry.”
AMS IC specialises in the calibration, maintenance, and supply of various types of instrumentation such as temperature sensors, pressure instruments, flow meters and laboratory equipment. The company’s services are critical for industries where precision is vital, as even minor deviations can lead to inefficiencies or safety concerns.
AMS IC is known for providing tailored solutions that help businesses maintain equipment functionality, achieve regulatory compliance, and ensure high standards of safety and quality. These services are essential for industries where accurate measurement ensures product quality, safety, and operational efficiency.
“Calibration equipment is crucial for ensuring the right products reach the market. Our equipment is highly accurate, enabling precise calibration of field instruments to high standards,” said Kuiper. “Additionally, we provide software to maintain calibration records. Most of our equipment is NATA-certified, ensuring accuracy. While some companies may offer calibration services, they often don’t provide the same level of precision that we do.”
AMS IC ensures consistent product quality and safety through its precise calibration solutions. The company’s expertise is crucial to the food and beverage industry’s complex production processes, where even minor discrepancies can impact product quality and compliance with health and safety regulations.
Food and beverage production facilities rely on instruments measuring temperature, pressure, and flow. These measurements must be precise to ensure the correct processing conditions, product consistency, and adherence to health and safety standards.
For example, accurate temperature control is essential for pasteurisation processes and refrigeration. Meanwhile, pressure measurement plays a key role in equipment like boilers and tanks used in brewing or soft drink production.
“The sanitary equipment we offer is made of stainless steel and is 3A-certified, particularly for pressure, temperature, and flow measurements. Accuracy is vital to producing consistent products in the factory, and our instrumentation and calibration equipment help maintain that standard,” said Kuiper.
“Whether the calibration occurs in the field or at our workstation, we ensure it is done with high precision. Calibration data is transferred directly into our software for record-keeping, and historical data is available for reference.”
AMS IC’s calibration solutions also ensure that instruments in critical production areas are operating within specified tolerances. This helps food and beverage manufacturers maintain quality control and consistency, which are essential for meeting customer expectations and complying with food safety regulations like HACCP.
Tailored calibration
AMS IC’s calibration services are tailored to meet the specific needs of each client. The company works closely with food manufacturers to offer customised solutions for equipment calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
“We specialise in calibrating pressure, temperature, and flow devices, such as differential pressure transmitters, flow meters, temperature indicators, and pressure measurement devices,” said Kuiper.
“Our portable calibration equipment is taken into the field to check and calibrate these devices accurately.”
For example, in a beverage production facility, AMS IC might calibrate flow meters for liquid ingredient measurement, pressure sensors for carbonation conditions, and temperature sensors for pasteurisation effectiveness. This level of precision helps ensure operations are efficient and compliant with industry standards.
The company offers regular preventative maintenance programs to maintain calibration accuracy over time. These programs are important for food and beverage manufacturers, as they help avoid costly downtime and reduce the risk of equipment failure, which could lead to production delays or substandard products.
Compliance and quality assurance
In food and beverage manufacturing, compliance with industry standards and regulations is non-negotiable. AMS IC helps food manufacturers navigate these regulatory environments by ensuring its equipment is calibrated and maintained to the highest standards.
The company provides traceable calibration certificates, which are essential for audits and inspections. These certificates demonstrate that calibration processes have been carried out according to relevant standards and that equipment is operating within required tolerances. Such documentation is critical for meeting stringent regulatory demands and maintaining compliance with international standards, including ISO and HACCP.
“We are ISO 9001 certified, adhering to proper procedures and relying on our overseas suppliers to maintain their quality systems. This ensures we meet high standards of accuracy and maintain correct processes,” said Kuiper.
AMS IC’s commitment to quality assurance is evident in its technical expertise, with more than 350 years of combined experience among its staff. This knowledge allows the company to handle complex calibration challenges faced by food and beverage manufacturers.
Technology and innovation
As technology evolves, AMS IC continues to invest in the latest tools and equipment to stay at the forefront of the calibration industry. The company employs advanced digital technologies to ensure its calibration processes are precise and efficient.
This includes software for calibration management, which streamlines operations and ensures all calibration records are maintained accurately and easily accessible for audits.
AMS IC’s use of mobile and on-site calibration services ensures minimal downtime for food and beverage manufacturers during calibration activities. Technicians can perform calibration at the client’s facility, providing flexibility and reducing the need to send equipment off-site for servicing. This is important for manufacturers who rely on continuous production.
“When working with customers, we assess their specific needs and offer tailored solutions, including high- or low-pressure devices and temperature-based equipment. We provide a range of options to meet various calibration requirements,” said Kuiper.
“Recently, we partnered with a Canadian supplier known for high-accuracy equipment primarily used in the gas industry, expanding our product offerings outside the food sector.
“We are always looking for growth opportunities and, last year, we acquired a majority stake in a New Zealand company to expand our reach.”
By offering a combination of calibration, maintenance, and compliance services, AMS IC plays a vital role in helping food and beverage manufacturers maintain the highest standards of product quality and safety.
The company’s commitment to precision and customer satisfaction, backed by a team of skilled professionals, ensures clients can rely on AMS IC to meet their ongoing calibration needs and industry requirements.