One of the UK’s leading suppliers of prepared fresh vegetables has seen a significant increase in capacity since completing a multi-million pound investment.
Fenmarc has enjoyed the benefits of additional throughput and efficiency at its Wisbech factory since installing a complete new multiple line weighing and packaging plant.
The new lines feature the latest in multi-head weighing technology along with four GIC3100 high speed vertical form fill and seal packaging machines, which now give Fenmarc higher speeds, greater accuracy and a lower cost of ownership.
“The previous three lines had been running 18 hours a day, seven days a week since 2015,” says Terry Holland, Head of Engineering at Fenmarc. “We decided to see how we could become more efficient for several reasons. The lines were showing their age and needed more frequent expensive maintenance; some parts had become obsolete and were no longer supported; and new machinery offered better accuracy and performance.”
Phase one of the project was completed in 2020, and included the installation of two GIC3100s along with new high specification multi-head weighers and a new complex product feed and mixing system.
The new plant requirement was for each GIC3100 to handle over 100 packs per minute, with pack weights ranging from 100g to 800g.
The GIC3100, which features a 10-inch HMI colour touch screen and the latest specification Rockwell Allen Bradley Servo Drives, is ideal for all high-speed applications to a maximum of 250mm wide, such as pillow, gusseted and block bottom. The GIC3100 boasts a robust mechanical design with a new counterbalance system for higher speeds.
“The weighers and GIC vertical form and fill packaging machines installed in phase one proved to be so much more flexible, faster and more accurate than the previous set-up,” says Terry. “That’s why we decided to commission an additional two lines, which were installed in August 2022.
“In the six months since the additional lines were commissioned, we’ve increased our capacity significantly, allowing us to expand our range with both new and existing customers.
“Since deciding to work with GIC back in 2019, when we visited their facilities, we have been very impressed with the efficiency of the GIC3100 machines and the after sales back-up and support received. We are also pleased with the overall low total cost of ownership.
Fenmarc’s four GIC3100 machines bring the total number of GIC machines operating in the fresh produce sector to in excess of 300 machines.
“We are very pleased to have reached this milestone,” says Andy Beal, GIC’s Managing Director. “We pride ourselves on delivering high quality, well-built and efficient packaging machines and providing the best levels of after-sales support to our customers that we can. It’s great to know that our vertical form fill and seal packaging machines can help increase our customers’ capacity and play a part in helping them win new business.”
GIC was established more than 30 years ago in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, and employs over 30 people. The company manufactures an extensive range of vertical bagmakers, producing a wide range of finished bag sizes from 100mm to 600mm wide in both intermittent and continuous motion variants. All GIC machines offer low-cost ownership, robustness, reliability and exceptional build quality.
GIC’s machines integrate seamlessly with upstream equipment such as multi-head weighers, cup fillers and counters. The company offers efficient and cost-effective after-sales to all its customers in fresh and frozen foods, cereals, snacks, confectionery, pasta, powders and pulses, industrial hardware and liquids.
