Product category:
Packaging, Conveyors and Materials Transfer
News Release from: Packaging Automation
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 03 January 2007
PA expands with their new development
strategy
In what have traditionally been seen as mature packaging machinery markets, there is a UK company that has taken a fresh perspective on customers' needs.
In what have traditionally been seen as mature packaging machinery markets, there is a UK company that has taken a fresh perspective on customer needs In doing so, Packaging Automation (PA) is beginning to fulfil its potential with a bold strategy that has re-written the rule book on filling and sealing systems
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 29 Jul 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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PA recently completed the first phase of a five-year business strategy with the launch of the Fastfill100 high-speed filling, pot sealing and overcapping machine at the UK PPMA Show.
The Fastfill100 is the third machine in the new generation Fastfill range.
Now, with continuous development at the core of its philosophy, PA is pushing forward again with the appointment of Phil Markham as technical manager for the volumetric division to further develop their range of filling and sealing equipment.
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Phil commented: "I have two main objectives, with the first being to look at ways of enhancing the existing equipment where possible.
It is clearly well designed and operates effectively and now I want to get a feel for customers long-term experiences to see if there is anything else we can do to review machine performance and advance its functionality.
I will also be looking at new equipment development to expand the range".
He will start from a strong platform, as PA general manager Mick Davis said: "The volumetric filling side of the business is growing apace, alongside our traditional tray sealing equipment".
PA has been ramping up its position in Europe with increasing market penetration by exploiting the potential of its revolutionary Fastfill range of equipment.
The 43-year-old company has radically expanded from its traditional UK base as PA continues its onward march towards meeting market needs.
The Fastfill100 is the third machine in the new generation rotary Fastfill range and follows the earlier launches of the Fastfill40 and Fastfill60 machines, which are proving extremely popular.
The range embraces filling rates from 2,400pph to 56,000pph with the Fastfill100.
PA said that the extensive market research it carried out before the Fastfill range development began, enabled it to identify deficiencies between user expectations and the functions of machinery currently available.
That preparation also allowed it to see shortfalls in the service levels customers typically receive.
Mick Davis commented: "We want to revolutionise the industry by offering a customer-driven approach that addresses the failings of machinery currently available, challenges traditional designs and offers service levels users have a right to expect.
Entering the rotary volumetric filling market was a bold move but a very positive statement of our intent that we will not be hidebound by what have become accepted practices and principles".
Their volumetric equipment technical sales engineer, Mark Leaning, expanded further: "We have studied those areas of the food market that have the greatest speed of product and packaging development, this showed that pot filling is a dynamic and growing segment.
That is why we structured our company to be flexible with a guaranteed rapid response, which is facilitated by the majority of our production being undertaken in-house - from the smallest component to metal fabrication".
The PA strategy to radically overhaul the filling machinery market is also reflected in the latest customer-driven enhancements to its successful Starwheel rotary filling, sealing and overlidding machine.
The Starwheel can be supplied in either a single or a double starwheel format and can achieve a speed of up to 100 rigid walled and non de-nestable containers per minute.
It is based on the same principles as the Fastfill range and is popular amongst dairy companies, as well as producers of soups, mineral waters, fruit juices and sauces, as well as chocolate, vodka shots, sandwich fillings, clotted cream and baby foods.
It has additionally been successful with non-food products, such as cosmetics, household cleaning products and jewellery polish.
Mark Leaning commented: "There is nothing that is off-the-shelf about the Starwheel as we can design it in many different formats, each chosen to suit our customers' individual requirements.
We can supply it with fillers and a number of closure options, including film feed, pre-cut diaphragms, as well as clip-on overlids for a broad range of pot sizes".
As market leaders in the design and manufacture of tray sealing and filling equipment PA believes there is great emphasis on its ability to respond in the most effective, collaborative way with customers, which is why it often acts as a packaging 'consultant' to customers, especially where there are packaging material problems that need advice and assistance on site.
At the heart of this service is a specialist packaging advisory team that can provide help with the selection of containers and materials.
The company has its own qualified packaging technologists, whose role is also to network with all key packaging suppliers, to keep abreast of developments.
Those suppliers frequently use the PA in-house and on-site trials service to test newly developed materials, to ensure they are compatible with other existing packaging materials.
Alongside this PA is often involved in trials for new packaging concepts with the production of sealed samples for retailers, tray or film manufacturers.
It is the PA overall perspective of the market and its deliberate positioning at the heart of the industry and its developments that makes it confident that its volumetric filling and lidding division will continue to prosper.
At the same time, its leadership in tray sealing technology provides an edge alongside its volumetric systems to enable filling and lidding of all types of commercially available containers.
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