AUTOPACK has been appointed UK and Ireland distribution partner to SIDE, a Barcelona-based manufacturer of PET blow moulding machinery.
The move is said to open new markets to both businesses, with particular focus on enabling the onsite production of PET bottles and containers in the personal and home care sectors.
SIDE has over 50 years’ experience of creating custom-made plastic container blowers for a range of applications from food and beverages to pharmaceutical and cosmetics. Autopack is a supplier of packaging and processing machinery to the food, drink, chemical, cleaning, and personal care sectors.
Jonathon Stewart, sales director at Autopack, said, “Our expertise in providing integrated and tailored packaging solutions make us the ideal partner for SIDE. We are committed to growing our respective businesses by tapping into new markets.
“The partnership is an opportunity to expand our portfolio, and the personal and home care sectors are the perfect starting points. Our target market are medium range customers demanding the highest quality blow moulding machines, so whether you require large 50 litre water tanks or 250ml oil bottles, we have the versatility and performance to elevate your production capabilities.”
Autopack said blow moulders are increasingly popular for PET bottles and containers, not only for beverage markets but personal and home care segments too. The ability to produce these in-situ as part of the production line offers cost and environmental benefits to manufacturers. Pre-formed empty bottles no longer need shipping or storing.
SIDE manufactures three PET blowers, described as well suited for these markets. The Model 1002e can produce up to 4,000 containers per hour and targets flexible applications. From wide mouth or oval to asymmetric and funnel necks, the 1002e can switch formats and targets bottles of 200ml to three litres in size.
The Model 2004e can handle up to 7,000 containers per hour with the aim of ‘guaranteeing operational simplicity and high reliability’ in large-scale packaging manufacturing facilities. The 2004e is also designed for bottle ranges of 200ml to three litres, with a pitch of 160mm distance.
Finally, the Model 2006e is designed for larger scale production and produces 10,000 containers per hour. It is pitched to bottles of 200ml to two litres in size.
Angel Catalan, EMEA sales manager at SIDE, added, “Our partnership with Autopack will build our profile in the UK market; one that we feel has enormous potential. Linking with Autopack means we can learn so much from their expertise and experience in automation and packaging line solutions.”
