Tray Sealer's Steamer Pots For New Veg Range

Packaging Automation has just supplied its third machine to Soleco UK, the pre-prepared salad and vegetable specialist.

Packaging Automation has just supplied its third machine to Soleco UK, the pre-prepared salad and vegetable specialist.

After purchasing two of Packaging Automation's Vision 4000 tray sealing machines, Soleco - perhaps best known for its Florette brand of salads - has now bought a Vision 182.

The machine has been designed to cope with much deeper pots than normal, with the ability to apply a seal to both top and bottom.

The in-line machine, which heat seals reel-fed film lids to preformed containers and trays, is proving ideal for the Soleco job, not least because of its quick tool changes, easy to use touch screen and stainless steel construction, said Packaging Automation (PA).

Soleco's line manager Francois Cheron explained: "We were launching a new line, a steamer pot of vegetables in a container that is a little taller than the ones we usually use and which has two seals rather than one.

So our needs were quite specific but we had experience of what Packaging Automation could do and we were confident in their ability to deliver.

Now the Vision 182 is turning out steamer pots destined for the UK's leading retailers including Tesco and Booths.

Cheron added: "Like the Vision 4000, the Vision 182 is a well-built and solid machine which is very easy to maintain, more so than machines from the competition from what I have seen.

Because it is working in a cold, wet environment and aggressive environment, it has to be easy to clean and in dealing with PA we find that they always listen so that they understand our needs - and that's very important to us.

The Vision 182 can be equipped with a variable length chain conveyor, tray denesters, autofillers and labellers to facilitate a wide range of applications, added PA.

Soleco, which began its UK operation five years ago and now has a workforce of over 300 working at the Lichfield production plant, has experienced significant growth and demands the best equipment available.

Packaging Automation's sales engineer, Simon Turner said: "We worked very closely with Soleco on the development of the new pot and we were able to source the right kind of film for it.

The Vision 182 is a very popular machine with many customers who need a compact, easy to use machine that gives a consistent high quality seal.

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