A Bellshill bakery which specialises in gluten-free products has invested in a new Shamal flow wrapper with MAP (Modified Atmosphere Packaging) gas flushing capabilities and ERS sealing system to produce hermetically sealed packs.
When Just: Gluten Free Bakery created its Just: Greet Naan Breads, the development team recognised the need to supply products with extended shelf life, and specified MAP as a requirement.
PFM UK, a supplier of flexible packaging machinery, carried out trials using its demonstration Shamal flow wrapper. The Shamal is available in two formats: BA with wrapping material from above and BB with wrapping material from below. The system is described by PFM as a ‘multi-axis Servo controlled, cantilevered wrapper with a hygienic design and construction which is ideally suited to many food and non-food products’.
LVA is an additional feature, which allows the bag length to be automatically adjusted to suit the product, particularly useful for products with irregular length such as bakery items.
Following successful trials, PFM allowed the bakery to use the demonstration equipment while a new purpose-built Shamal flow wrapper was manufactured at the PFM Group’s factory in Schio, Italy.
Despite Covid-19 restrictions, the PFM Group was able to continue construction of the new machine, while operating to strict working practices. The flow wrapper was completed within the timescale originally agreed and, following a remote video link PDI, the Shamal was despatched to the UK.
The new machine was en-route to its destination in Scotland, just as the UK and Scottish Governments announced the Covid-19 lockdown period.
PFM diverted the delivery to its UK base in Leeds, where the Shamal was safely stored on behalf of the client, who in turn was able to continue production using the loan Shamal.
As soon as the restrictions allowed, onwards delivery of the new Shamal, together with associated third-party equipment, including gas mixer, analyser/flow monitor and thermal transfer coder, was co-ordinated by the project team at PFM UK.
Ronnie Stebbings, MD at Just: Gluten Free Bakery said, “The installation of this new machine has enhanced our capabilities and offerings to our customers, allowing us to expand our product range in an ever growing market.”
