Soabar triples digital label production during corona crisis
Jenton granted patent for valve bag Industry News
Jenton International Ltd, part of the Jenton Group, has been granted a European patent for its method of manufacturing a new type of Valve Bag. The heat sealed film bag has been specially designed for packaging small items including hardware, small parts and especially foods such as soft fruits, cherries or snacks such as nuts and raisins, with some liquids also possible. Jenton’s valve bag creates a ‘one way valve’
at the top from the folded and sealed material of the bag. The advantages of a valve bag
The decision to double the digital print capacity at its Leicester factory has proved to be the right choice for Soabar Ltd. The printing company’s two Konica Minolta AccurioLabel 190 presses, installed just over a year ago, have been working flat out since the start of the COVID-19 crisis to support customers, and in the process more than tripled output. “The reliability of our two AccurioLabel presses has certainly been
tested to the max in the past two months,” said managing director Phil Achurch. “We have seen demand for digital labels go through the roof, and if it wasn’t for the Konica Minolta machines, we would have struggled to support our customers during this difficult time.” Most of the label jobs printed during the crisis are for existing clients
who produce hand sanitisers, disinfectants, chlorine tablets and other hygiene products for the health sector. To meet this unprecedented level of demand, Soabar has also increased the running speed of the AccurioLabel presses in effect now giving them the capacity of three machines. “Although we had already been ramping up in our digital
department over the past year, the crisis has accelerated that process and we have very quickly gone from digital accounting for 16–17 per cent of turnover to nearer 50 per cent of current sales,” explains Phil.
Romaco goes digital
Romaco’s latest product developments are being unveiled to trade specialists in the company’s own virtual showroom, which also highlights sustainability and digitalisation as core competencies. This digital platform is the pharmaceutical machinery manufacturer’s
answer to the cancellation or postponement of numerous international trade fairs as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Rather than at interpack 2020, Romaco is now celebrating the world premiere of its newest products in digital space. Interested visitors can look forward to a fascinating tour through a spacious showroom, where the supplier of all-in- one solutions has various technologies on display for manufacturing, tableting and packing solid pharmaceuticals. There are various buttons which can be clicked to display more
information. Videos, audio messages and datasheets, for example, are only a click away. Just like in the real world, the Romaco exhibits on the virtual platform are introduced and explained by the company’s sales representatives. Short videos take the place of face-to-face communication. Visitors can use the online chat feature to ask any questions that arise about individual machines or arrange a virtual appointment with their personal contacts. Romaco’s product innovations can be experienced in a live stream.
include product containment without the need for any form of bag sealing and secure food packing, which still qualifies as ‘packed open’. Richard Little, Jenton’s managing director said: “Users can, for example, take a
cherry from the bag and then turn the bag upside down and none of the others fill fall out. “There are so many applications for this valve bag, from allowing flowers to be shipped in water to secure entrapment of medical low hazard waste. It would require very little modification of existing production lines in order to manufacture the bag and we are keen to work with manufacturers who may wish to license the IPR.” The patent primarily relates to how Jenton’s innovative low density polyethylene
(LDPE) Valve Bag can be manufactured to very small sizes on side-weld or pouch making machines without the converter needing to invest in expensive in-tube sealing heads or modification of an existing production line. Normal bag machine speeds are possible.
FPA appoints Mark Pawsey MP as new chairman
The Foodservice Packaging Association has announced the appointment of Mark Pawsey MP as its new chairman. Mark has had a long association with the FPA, having started a distribution business in Rugby with his brother Mike in 1982 before becoming an MP in 2010. Mark, who is Conservative MP for Rugby and Bulkington in Warwickshire, has supported the FPA in numerous ways
over the years, including being the sponsoring MP for the annual House of Commons lunch and regularly attends key annual FPA events. He is well known to FPA members. Outgoing Chairman Howard Colliver said: “Mark brings deep-rooted knowledge of
the foodservice packaging industry and a unique understanding of the way our sector operators. He also brings a broader perspective of the packaging industry as whole, through his experience as Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Packaging. We are delighted to welcome Mark on board as our new Chairman.” Mark Pawsey said: “The FPA is a dynamic and forward-thinking association providing
strong leadership and direction in what are undoubtedly challenging times for this industry. I am looking forward to helping shape of the future of both the FPA and the foodservice packaging industry.” Mark formally took over the role as Chairman on 6 March 2020 after the annual FPA Awards event in Brighton.
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