Breeder's Choice Pet Foods (Evinda, CA) is a leading manufacturer of high quality pet foods. During the last Pack Expo International, Breeder's Choice purchased an automated bagging system from participating Thiele Technologies, Minneapolis, Minn., which increased packaging by 30% for Breeder's Choice pet food company. Production speed.
Breeder's Choice Pet Company is a family business founded in 1947. After years of development, Breeder's Choice has already owned several brands of pet food, and its products are sold in pet store feed stores in the United States.
Over the past decade, Breeder's Choice has increasingly focused on using advanced packaging solutions to enhance the quality of its products and increase the brand's influence. For example, Breeder's Choice used an oxygen-barrier packaging bag when its unique nutritional formula Pinnacle product was introduced. This innovative pet food packaging method ensures the freshness of the product and thus helped Pinnacle food sales succeed. .
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Previously, Taylor realized that a core part of the company's packaging line was outdated and needed to be updated immediately. At that time, all of the company's palletizing work was done by hand. In addition, the company's bagging machines were aging and were increasingly unable to meet the company's demand for increased efficiency.
“In the past, the bagging equipment in my production plant has been in service for more than 10 years,” explains Taylor. “In this period, the company’s production has increased by 130%. Considering that the production lines are getting tighter, at the same time, There are many new packaging technologies emerging, and we decided to replace the existing bagging equipment."
During the last exhibition, Taylor and his company’s relevant person in charge visited and learned a lot of the latest technologies. He met with the technical experts of the participating companies several times. Eventually, Taylor chose Thiele Technology (part of Barry-Wehmiller). An automated bagging system. The system includes a variety of equipment: an UltraStar automated bagging machine, a Master 3500 automated palletizer, a 6161 series Masterwiegh net weight, an integrated full bag conveyor and a pallet wrapper.
The UltraStar is a fully-automated double bagging machine that can quickly fill bags weighing between 20 pounds and 110 pounds. The UltraStar bagging machine is fully loaded throughout the bagging and sealing cycle. The device can easily adapt to the production of PBOM and polyethylene sealing materials. The bag size can be changed quickly and simply. The Master 3500 high-speed palletizer is equipped with a high-speed pusher motor. It adopts advanced mechanical and electronic components and is programmed to automate the filling of bags and large bags. In addition, the Master 3500 adopts an innovative design. The high bag damage rate at hand palletizing is minimized.
Overcoming obstacles
Breeder's Choice encountered a special difficulty when installing UltraStar bagging machines, Master 3500 palletizers, and other parts of the Thiele system. In order to maintain a level of productivity during the installation of the new system, Breeder's Choice needs to continue to use the old equipment for production. This requires quite a lot of creative advice to effectively change the use of conveyor structures and floor space.
“Thiele's technical experts helped us to complete the transition period,” Taylor said. “The technical support they provided has provided us with great help so that we can continue to supply customers and retail partners.”
Breeder's Choice's 20-pounder and 40-pounder cat and dog food bags are now produced using the Thiele automated bagging system, which has helped Breeder's Choice significantly increase production speeds. The system also freed employees from manual bagging and palletizing work, allowing them to use their skills in critical areas.
“Unlike our previous bagging machines, the Thiele automated bagging system has the advantages of bagging and palletizing, and the advantages are obvious,” Taylor said. “The new Thiele machine has increased our packaging production speed by 30% and made me Can manage my team more effectively."
Reprinted from: Packaging Machinery
