AI/MACHINERY/AUTOMATION
Signed, sealed, delivered With a recent injection of valuable business experience, Soken Engineering’s ambitions to be the perfect packaging partner are more focused than ever. NEW OWNERSHIP With more than 30 years of experience in heat sealing and packaging machine manufacturing, we know that any innovation from Soken Engineering is significant. And with a new business structure now firmly established, the future looks bright. Designing and providing all their own products for distribution into 50 countries, Soken was purchased by Jenton International Limited in 2022. “Jenton has long-term experience in manufacturing food and medical industry production equipment, and saw the synergy in the Soken Engineering range,” said Richard Little, managing director, Jenton Group. “The Soken facility in Leighton Buzzard was moved to Whitchurch in Hampshire, where it has dedicated production facilities alongside Jenton.” It’s a fluid partnership thanks to Jenton’s background, including its Ariana brand which covers ‘clever conveyors’ such as stackers, convergers, seal testers, divergers and product flow automation. While the Dimaco brand includes label and data verification systems (on and offline) for food packaging lines and the JenAct brand includes UV disinfection conveyors. “Soken’s extensive product line has all been retained,” said Little. “Small and medium operators have a choice of simple to use, robust equipment. In addition, Jenton’s expertise in control systems is being used to upgrade and improve consistency of temperature and pressure.”
FOR TODAY… AND TOMORROW It was at the 2023 PPMA show that Soken showcased its latest heat seal packaging machine – the HS32CF-MAP. It offers maximum convenience to extend the shelf life of portioned tray-packed foods stocked by convenience stores, retailers, farm shops and garage forecourts. Including ready-to-eat mixed salads pre-cut fruits and veg, sliced deli meats, raw meats and cheeses. Rather than limiting caterers, test kitchens and other food producers to a small number of set packaging formats, it enables users to choose from an extensive tooling range or bespoke order to suit existing packaging. This provides greater freedom for plastic and biodegradable MAP compatible packaging. This is just one of the many exciting developments lined up for the year ahead. “There is more demand for plastic-free, recyclable and sustainable packaging – and Soken’s consistency in relation to temperature and pressure allow more difficult-to-seal packs to be dealt with effectively and reliably,” said Little. “There’s a whole design coming for an in-line tray and top sealer, with all sorts of options for different packs, printing, etc.
“We need to build on our reputation for reliable, long-lasting and dependable machines. The key is to extend our range to cover more of the ever-increasing consumer demands for new-style packs and flexibility for a variety of pack formats on the same machine. We enjoy partnerships with several packaging material suppliers, as they appreciate that will sell more if the machines keep working… and we are in partnerships to help develop materials that promise to be sustainable and reliable. “There is emphasis on the retail market, but many of our innovations can also enhance the experience of customers without a direct choice – schools, hospitals, prisons, airlines, etc. And we wish to contribute to this area also, helping to improve the quality of ‘customer experience’ in these sectors,” concluded Little.
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