Packing Systems Match Fresh Produce Demands

The latest packaging machinery is helping fresh produce suppliers keep pace with increasingly high-pressure demands for more flexibility and innovations to meet the sophisticated demands of consumers.

The latest packaging machinery is helping fresh produce suppliers keep pace with increasingly high-pressure demands for more flexibility and innovations to meet the sophisticated demands of consumers.

That is according to Ulma Packaging, which added that retailers are selling creative ranges of mixed leaf salads and vegetable variety packs, for instance, in increasingly varied forms.

That is why proactive partnerships with machinery suppliers are key to the produce industry responding to quickly changing trends and expectations, added the company.

Ulma said that in some cases, smaller produce suppliers are installing machines for high speeds, greater automation, accuracy and reliability, whilst in other areas, complete lines are strongly accented.

There is also a movement towards increased equipment standardisation across multiple production facilities, thereby providing even greater flexibility if production needs to be switched from one unit to another.

Ulma Packaging claimed that it is at the hub of fresh produce systems developments and offers a range of machines that can provide the full spectrum of pack options for anything from mushrooms, olives, soft and citrus fruits, right up to potatoes and pumpkins.

Whilst the company said it is comfortable supplying its machines for frozen produce, it is the scope of the fresh produce sector that is the driving force for more technically demanding equipment needs.

Here, the focus is on supplying food that is as fresh as the day it was picked, in high quality packs with attractive product presentation and it is one area, together with the growth of ready-to-eat salad and fruit packs, where Ulma said it is seeing significant growth.

A leading supermarket's own-brand produce packing operations use Ulma's horizontal flowrappers and vertical baggers to create maximum efficiency.

The packing units form the hub for the supermarket's continuous supply operation, so machine durability and reliability is vital, as is Ulma's engineering support, added the company.

Those machines include the Atlanta Hi Tech horizontal flowrapper and the Etna Hi Tech vertical bagging system.

The Atlanta fits in to automatic packing lines, accommodates a range of feeders and works with BOPP, PVC, polyester cellulose, complex laminates and cold sealing films, said Ulma.

The Etna vertical form fill and seal machine is said to be suitable for potatoes, carrots, florets and salads, for instance.

It is claimed to be capable of producing up to 100 block bottomed or four-sided packs per minute - suitable for ready-to-eat produce - which is another gathering trend where Ulma believes it is at the leading edge.

Derek Paterson, Ulma UK's managing director, commented: "We focus on providing sensibly-priced machines that perform well, can handle various films and produce all manner of pack types.

We give objective advice about the most suitable systems and customers feel confident about entering into partnership with us as their long-term success is paramount.

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