Product category:
Packaging, Conveyors and Materials Transfer
News Release from: Packaging Automation | Subject: Hired tray sealing line
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 28 September 2006
Hired tray sealing line helps capture
BBQ peak
The commercial advantages of hiring top-line packaging equipment to meet seasonal production peaks have been endorsed by one UK food producer using Packaging Automation tray sealers
The commercial advantages of hiring top-line packaging equipment to meet seasonal production peaks have been endorsed by one UK food producer using Packaging Automation tray sealers Holmesterne Farm Co near Richmond in North Yorkshire, principally a pork producer, is enjoying increasing success with its seasonal line of packaged barbecue meats such as pork spare ribs, as well as a chicken drumstick line
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 29 Jul 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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And for the past two years, to help it meet the increased volumes generated by its barbecue meat ranges between May and mid-September, Holmesterne has hired a Vision 182 tray sealer from Packaging Automation.
The principal Holmesterne customers, which include the national retail chains Nisa and Budgens, are also eager to grow this key seasonal market and Holmesterne needs to have capacity to meet this increased demand.
The compact in line machine supplied by Packaging Automation automatically heat seals reel-fed film lids to preformed aluminium trays at Holmesterne and comfortably handles an average throughput of approximately 8,000 trays per day - 26 trays per minute - with five product changes efficiently accommodated, in pack weights varying from 400g - 600g.
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The Vision 182 facilitates very quick tool changes, and product changes are further aided by its PLC control and easy to use touch screen with menu driven operation.
Working a single shift six-day week, Holmesterne envisages progressing from a hired packing line to buying permanent equipment in future because it has been so encouraged by the performance of the Packaging Automation equipment.
In fact, Holmesterne was so impressed with the operation of the Vision182 that it took the decision this year to hire an additional PA machine - a PA182 - to supplement the capacity provided by the Vision182.
The PA182 is renowned for its ease of use and operators can switch from one tray size or shape to another in just two minutes: the machine portability and compact design means it can be quickly relocated to accommodate production changes.
As the Holmesterne Farm commercial director Steven Holden commented: "When we first looked at the option of hiring such a line we were impressed by the PA equipment when we saw it in action and the company gave us good advice to get us set-up.
There were some issues initially with the in-feed performance and tray alignment but the PA responsiveness was first class and they resolved it quite speedily, which gave us confidence".
The hire contract was competitive and Mr Holden added that the Packaging Automation technical ability, objective advice and the quality of its equipment - even though it wasn't the cheapest - were all decisive factors in PA winning the business.
The hire deal also included the in-feed conveyor and ultimately, PA designed a special in-feed to meet the specific needs of Holmesterne to enable a direct feed into the Vision 182 sealing machine to eliminate tray transfer issues.
The Packaging Automation sales engineer John Dumbell has worked with Holmsterne throughout its two hire contracts and he commented: "Holmesterne work to demanding supply deadlines during a very intensive peak market period, so the reliability of our equipment was paramount and there had to be strong assurances of supply continuity.
The Vision 182 has fully met those expectations".
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