Redpack

RedpackPackagingMachineryhasexpertlymanufactured flow-wrapsystemsforthepast50years.Now,celebrating itsanniversary,thecompanyisbusierthaneverinvesting innewmachineryandexpandingitscustomerbase.General ManagerGaryHowardexplainedmore,inanexclusive interview.ReportbyImogenWard.

With a combined expertise of 756 years, the team at Redpack Packaging Machinery is renowned for designing and manufacturing reliable equipment with the help of its three pillars of strength:

“Our three pillars – quality, service and innovation – aid our strategic goals,” General Manager Gary Howard explained. “If a project doesn’t have all three elements, then we don’t do it. We dedicate a lot of time to our customers; not only listening to their needs but the needs of their customers as well. They are the ones that use the machines, so we have to pay attention to what they do and where improvements can be made.”

Founder Michael Briston established his precision engineering company in 1973, providing machined parts for companies in and around Norfolk, UK, one of which

was Redpack. In 1997, Mr Briston acquired the brand rights to Redpack, and the company evolved into what it is today.

50 years on from those humble beginnings, Redpack has continued developing a legacy of reliable machines that stand the test of time. As proof of this, the company is still servicing some of the original 100 models that were manufactured more than 40 years ago. “

SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC

Since 2017, Schneider Electric has proudly collaborated with Redpack Packaging Machinery, pioneering innovative solutions in the food and beverage sector, with a focus on sustainability. Together, we are optimising production, integrating cuttingedge technology and deploying eco-friendly practices. This partnership reflects our shared dedication to environmental protection through innovation, ensuring a greener, more efficient future for industry.

We look forward to continuing our commitment to sustainability, demonstrating our shared vision for a more responsible and forward-thinking global community. editorial

REDPACK PACKAGING MACHINERY I PROFILE

The perfect portfolio

Over the years, Redpack has built a gleaming portfolio dedicated to the world of packaging. From produce to bakery, and snack to healthcare, the company manufactures the perfect solutions for a wide range of sectors. Currently, the most popular choice amongst Redpack’s customer-base is the NTS.

“The NTS is our most popular product because it was designed by our customers,” said Mr Howard. “They told us what features were needed, and we developed our design around those requests.”

With a solid presence in the fresh produce market, the company is aware of the extra requirements that come with packaging loose produce.

The NTS top seal flow-wrapper is renowned for its user-friendly command screen, easy configuration and its ability to process hardto-handle produce. It can be used with both flow and shrink wrap and is the ideal choice for customers looking to quickly and efficiently bag their trayless produce, making it perfect for the fresh market.

Ready to invest

In celebration of its 50th anniversary, the company’s portfolio is set to grow once more with the addition of five new products, including several machines that will help make its customers’ operations more efficient.

“When developing a new product, it should always be designed to what your existing market needs and what potential new mar kets might require,” said Mr Howard.

“We looked at the packaging industry as a whole – at the current trends – and we realised that one machine that would really enhance it was a tray sealer.”

Armed with this knowledge, Redpack designed and developed a new machine capable of processing produce that relies on the stability of hard plastic trays and the security of a soft top seal.

All of Redpack’s machines go through rigorous testing before they go on sale, as the company wants to ensure the quality and longevity of each one. Throughout this stage of the process, the machines are exposed to safety, electrical and mechanical testing before being trialled with clients.

“Weight is another important factor within the fresh produce market, as our customers need to be able to provide accurate measurements on their packaging,” said Mr Howard. “Because of this, we have also developed checkweighers.”

REDPACK PACKAGING MACHINERY I

The company is also keen to enter into quality control, with the addition of its new metal detectors and x-ray machines. These allow customers to test their produce to ensure metal and foreign objects have not made their way into the food.

Reinjecting funds

Thanks to an increase in demand, and the news that more machines are on the way, Redpack made the strategic decision to redevelop its current floor space to further increase production capacity.

“We moved to our current facility around seven years ago, and it was four times the size of our previous premises,” Mr Howard explained. “However, we soon filled that space because of our everincreasing production rates. We currently have a large office space that is under -

utilised, so that will be divided into new production areas to make the most of our current square footage.”

Whilst Redpack’s facility undergoes a revamp, the company plans to improve the efficiency of the building with an upgrade to its BMS system.

“Our BMS system has been great, but it is getting quite old, so we are now looking into more efficient ways to heat and cool our facility,” said Mr Howard. “We want to make sure that this is completed at the most practical time, so we are allowing ourselves between 12 and 24 months to get it done.

“We are also looking at battery storage because we generate far more electricity than we need during the summer months. The hardware of our machines is also being upgraded, to make them more efficient and less wasteful. We have already implemented auto-standby features that

Gary Howard General Manager

detect when there’s not enough product being processed, to ensure power is not being consumed unnecessarily and film is not being wasted.”

To further improve the footprint of its machines, Redpack has also been collaborating with customers and film suppliers to ensure its machines are compatible with paper, biodegradable and compostable films.

“We are always focused on improvement, because we truly believe that nothing is a finished article,” Mr Howard concluded. “That’s what drives everyone that works here; nothing is ever too much trouble, and everyone is so hands on. Once, our Managing Director fixed our floor cleaner because it was out of commission, and he had the skills to do so. Everyone mucks in, and the products benefit because of it.” n