INDUSTRY NEWS
40 years of Macpac Macpac celebrate 40 years of business with further expansion
Stockport based thermoformer Macpac celebrates its 40th year of business in April 2013. It’s a fitting time then, to report that the company has invested in excess of £600k on its latest planned phase of expansion
structural changes to the factory. The industrial units on either side of the main factory became available so Macpac acquired both. The phase one expansion carried out in 2011 used most of the capacity of one of these units and this latest phase two has developed the other. The main building work involved walls being knocked through to create a more efficient use of space allowing a streamlined workflow throughout the factory.
W
ork started in October last year and has involved major
IN-HOUSE TOOLING The tool making division has almost doubled in size, moving into larger purpose built surroundings. A new large bed Hurco multi axis CNC machine has been installed to complement existing machinery. There is a seamless feed from the latest SolidWorks software via the design engineering team so that approved designs can move quickly into the tool making process. Macpac’s aim is to provide the most modern and efficient tool making facility in the UK by utilising the best technology available enabling them to provide their most competitive prices ever, giving an advantage over companies that have to outsource tooling. With the increased volume of tooling being manufactured in-house it was considered necessary to extend the storage facility for customers tools.
STRENGTHENED FLOORS The mezzanine floor has been extended and strengthened to cope with the extra volume and weight. In addition to the tool rooms there has been further expansion of the finished goods warehouse. This facility can accommodate up to 600 pallets of finished goods available for call off to match client’s urgent needs. It’s a facility that is becoming increasingly appreciated by customers as it gives them the peace of mind to know that by manufacturing ahead of time they will be assured of supply.
BRC EXPANSION
Macpac has BRC accreditation and in recent years it has enjoyed an upsurge in business from the food industry as a result of this. The manufacturing element of the factory is currently sectioned off so that roughly 40 per cent is given over to BRC manufacturing. Continuing unprecedented demand from the food sector has prompted the decision to transform the entire manufacturing arm of the factory over to BRC accredited production. This should be completed by the summer of this year. All the output from the factory will be manufactured from food grade materials to stringent quality and hygiene standards regardless of whether it is for a food or non-food product, at no extra cost.
NEW PRESSURE FORMING A significant component in this expansion scheme is the addition of a yet another new Illig pressure forming machine. This one though has been manufactured
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exclusively for Macpac in collaboration with Illig. It will be installed and commissioned during April and features a unique down stacker arrangement as opposed to the traditional method of up-stacking. This approach represents new technology for thermoforming adding flexibility to the machine’s capability. It will be able to stack unusual and complex shapes and at speeds faster than previously. Lower tooling costs will also be possible making this even more cost effective for customers. 2013 will be a year to remember for all the right reasons at Macpac.
CLAM PACKS
The icing on the cake will be the long awaited launch of the new patent protected Surecel range of clam packs. The range is undergoing final testing prior to launching. It will be marketed as high quality thermoformed designer packaging and will feature what is believed to be the ultimate in anti pilfer pack security.
Macpac Ltd Barton Road
Heaton Mersey Industrial Estate,Stockport Cheshire SK4 3EG Tel: 0161 4421642 Fax: 0161 442 1643 Web:
www.macpac.co.uk
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