VERTICAL form, fill and seal packaging machine manufacturer GIC will celebrate its 40th anniversary at this year’s PPMA Show.
The firm will mark four decades in business with branded cupcakes and bubbly available to visitors during the three-day event at the NEC Birmingham from September 24-26.
Nearly 1,000 GIC machines have been installed since 1984, and some major names in fresh produce, confectionery, snacks, frozen foods, aggregates, and hardware rely on the VFFS models to pack their products.
Current directors Andy Beal and Luke Murphy assumed control of the business through a management buyout in 2006. Since then, they have ‘refined and redeveloped’ the company’s range of intermittent and continuous motion machines to incorporate a greater range of pack styles and sizes.
GIC has joined Rockwell Automation’s Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Gold Partner Programme, integrated the latest sealing technology, and developed the Leaf Salad Assisted Drop feature. This has enabled the company to move into new markets such as salads, frozen foods and aggregates.
The business has enjoyed consistent growth since 2006 and revealed that 2024 should be a ‘record’ year.
“We’re very much looking forward to this year’s PPMA Show,” Andy Beal said. “It is always a good show for us as we get to catch up with existing customers and meet potential new ones, too. However, this year will be extra special, and we will have a few surprises for visitors to our stand as we mark 40 years of trading and 21 years of PPMA membership.”
Luke Murphy added, “We’re very proud to be marking GIC’s 40th birthday and would like to thank our excellent team, not just our current employees but people who’ve worked with us in the past. Without their dedication and skills, we would be unable to manufacture the high-quality, reliable and efficient machines we do.
“We’ve always tried to be the best of British, not just in the quality of manufacturing but also in the after-sales support we provide. Given that we’re marking four decades and have lots of repeat orders from customers over the years, we’ve achieved that goal and are looking forward to seeing what the future has in store for GIC.”
