‘Preparing for the future’ is the theme of the upcoming International Travel Catering Association (ITCA) show in Barcelona, and UK packaging equipment manufacturer Packaging Automation are helping companies to meet the challenges ahead.
Packaging Automation (PA) will exhibit an entry level manual PA217 tray sealer at the show. Experienced staff will be on hand to discuss how Packaging Automation respond to the needs of the airline catering industry. MPI Australia are distributors of Packaging Automation equipment in Australia.
Neil Ashton, Sales Manager said that catering companies are under pressure as the cost base for meals is reduced. So tight cost control is needed throughout the production process. This needs to be combined with quality product presentation and reliability of the production line.
The PA217 is a hand operated machine suitable for sealing film and board lids to compatible preformed containers using either reel fed film and pre-cut lids. It produces the required consistent seal quality and is an ideal low cost entry into heat sealing. As an added benefit this machine, as with many others in the company's range, is available to hire, an ideal way to cope with seasonal increases in demand without major capital expenditure.
Other tray sealing machines, available from Packaging Automation, are with options for all levels of production right up to high speed fully automatic lines. The semiautomatic PA182 is a popular choice throughout the food industry. It is a compact and robustly constructed machine, which is easily moved from one production area to another.
Redemption Foods in northern England is currently using a PA182 to seal soup after securing a new order with Virgin Atlantic. With speed of response critical, Packaging Automation supplied the machine and tooling in just two weeks.
Packaging Automation can also offer a complete range of volumetric container filling and sealing machines. The team at ITCA will be able to discuss these in detail with visitors. The Fastfill40, for example, is suitable for filling small drinks containers of fruit juice or mineral water, typically part of an onboard meal. Users appreciate the machine's ease of use and reliability. Again, the Fastfill range is available on hire giving added flexibility and production capacity when required.
Neil Ashton also said that Packaging Automation understand the needs of this industry and have been supplying equipment for many years. Packaging Automation offer a range of quality designed and built machines to meet all levels of production, free test kitchen and trial facilities to get the right pack format, combined with flexible short term hire deals and 24/7 service.