For this project, Murphy installed a blast freezer system at the Schnucks Bakery plant, featuring an IMP freezer capable of maintaining -40°F temperatures and an IJ White spiral conveyor designed for rapid, efficient product freezing.
To support the spiral system, Murphy installed a complete ammonia refrigeration system, including a condenser, evaporators, intercoolers, receivers, high- and low-stage compressors, pumps, and associated piping. The scale and complexity of the refrigeration package—especially the integration of the spiral system—presented unique installation challenges, particularly with the massive evaporators, which arrived stacked and had to be carefully maneuvered into place.
Approximately 90% of the piping was prefabricated off-site, which allowed for faster, more efficient installation in the field. To maintain progress and stay aligned with Schnucks’ evolving project timeline, Murphy held weekly coordination meetings and reviewed a rolling 3-week lookahead schedule with their internal team.
Although the project was delayed several times, all changes to the schedule stemmed from Schnucks’ internal adjustments. From an installation standpoint, things ran smoothly thanks to strong coordination and planning—especially around critical areas like the mixing room and with Schnucks’ safety team.
This was one of the first IJ White spiral freezer systems Murphy installed, making it a particularly notable and technically complex project in our portfolio.
