Pacepacker wins Food Processing’s Robotics & Automation Award!

Triumphant PPMA Group member Pacepacker, has won Food Processing’s Robotics & Automation Award 2011 for their turnkey packaging and palletising installation at UK agricultural and pet food manufacturer I’Anson, who produces and packs 50,000 tonnes per year.

Pacepacker’s winning automation installation included three Total Bag Control Systems (TBC) and a FANUC M-410iB series palletising robot to handle over 2 million sacks of animal feed annually. The system has provided I’Anson with superior product presentation and virtually eliminated all bag waste. Chairman and fourth family generation owner Chris I'Anson felt that the award was well deserved:
“Owing to an increase in the price of paper and oil over the past 10 years, packaging prices have risen considerably and our sack wastage amounted to about £10,000 per year. With the introduction of Pacepacker's new Total Bag Control System and FANUC palletising system we've been able to virtually eliminate sack waste and totally eliminate customer complaints regarding product presentation. Pacepacker have demonstrated great innovation in practical packaging solutions making them a worthy winner.”

Awards organiser and editor of Food Processing magazine David Strydom commented on Pacepacker’s win:
“Many features of Pacepacker's work with I'Anson stand out, but the one that clinched it, in my opinion, was that it was able to virtually eliminate sack waste. The honing of waste management has become a crucial aspect of innovation in the food and drink industry. Another factor was the elimination of customer complaints - any company that can do this will be favourably regarded by its own customers.”

Unlike many awards which are judged by a panel, it was Pacepacker’s loyal customers, suppliers and technology partners who they have to thank:
“To think that we were chosen by the voters over and above some of UK’s biggest automation suppliers and system integrators is overwhelming,” comments Pacepacker’s Managing Director Dennis Allison.
“We work hard to deliver exactly what our customers want; there are no ‘grey’ areas with the systems we design and install, and we always go that extra mile to achieve our customer’s objectives 100%. I’m really proud of my team, and from all of us we’d like to thank everyone who voted for Pacepacker.”

This year’s Food Processing Awards received an unprecedented number of online votes and exceptional quality of finalists:
“The recession seems to have inspired real innovation within the food and beverage sector. The trends are being driven by the importance of cost cutting and in this respect, energy saving is now a real priority for many food manufacturers. The winners of each category proved the importance of innovation, skills and training, but all our finalists were ideal examples of how well the food and beverage sector does when it puts its mind to it,” comments David. Over a 25 year period, Pacepacker has installed a total of four TBC systems, two sack placers, one lift-and-tip turntable palletiser and three robotic palletising solutions at I’Anson.

Pacepacker Services Ltd
Unit 16 Bluegate Hall
Great Bardfield
Braintree
Essex
CM7 4PZ UK

T: 01371 811544
F: 01371 811621