MACPAC has completed the second phase of a £1.5 million investment in its 50th anniversary year with the installation of a high-speed Illig RDKP 72 automatic pressure thermoforming system at its plant in Stockport.
In line with a growth strategy which has been primarily driven by increasing demand from the food and pharmaceutical industries, Macpac explained that the new six-bar thermoformer will offer the company more scope in terms of run speed. It offers industrial process control, forming/punching technology and a maximum forming area of 756mm x 535mm.
The machine features a fully robotised stacking system and operates at up to 55 cycles per minute. Macpac added that it facilitates flexible production of medium to large-sized batch sizes with frequent changes of material type, format and tools.
The purchase follows the installation of an Illig RD74 down stacking machine with an additional secondary punch press almost 12 months ago. This system has given Macpac the capability to produce thermoformed packs with holes punched and removed within the forming itself, using its second cut station for the required punching process.
Macpac said the addition of the down stacking station means tooling can be produced more cost-effectively than any upstacked style machine without compromising run speed and quality to the product.
Macpac MD Graham Kershaw commented, “The new Illig thermoformer is another significant investment designed to support further growth both in the UK and overseas markets. In particular, we are now ideally positioned to capture growing demand for our packaging solutions from the global pharmaceutical and food industries.
“Importantly, it will allow us to offer higher volumes while continuing to meet the high standards of service and quality our clients have come to expect. It also reflects utmost confidence in our people and products.”
With 11 Illig thermoforming systems and five CNC machines installed at its 46,500 sq ft plant, Macpac provides plastic packaging products for the food, drink, pharmaceutical, medical, horticultural, engineering, manufacturing and automotive sectors both in the UK and overseas.
