Entry-level range for drinks start-ups deliver expansion

In a bid to help start-up dairy, water, beer, beverage, spirit and wine producers take their operation to the next stage, without compromising product integrity, AVE UK unveiled a range of entry-level processing, packaging and bottling equipment at Foodex Manufacturing Solutions.

As well as large-scale full turnkey systems, the company also offers UK customers a range of semi-automated solutions ideal for small to mid-range producers that combine Italian heritage with today’s latest digital and sustainable improvements. From mini turnkey lines for processing beverages; semi-automatic wine filtration systems; 1,000 bottles-perhour rinser/filler/cappers; and even mini dairies, start-ups found a suite of automated and semi-automated solutions to help them ramp up production without busting their budget or affecting the quality of their finished product. And this is all backed up by on-the-ground, 24/7 local support from AVE’s UK-based team of experienced engineers.

“Making the leap from start-up, artisan or kitchen production can seem daunting,” says Steve Bradley, AVE UK’s sales and marketing director. “Business owners often worry that the integrity or authenticity of their product will be impacted if they automate any of their processes; that the level of investment required will be too high and negate any

High speed pouch coding system was introduced at show

profit margin; or that modern automated systems will be too complicated or cumbersome for them to operate.

“In fact, the opposite is true as our portfolio of bottling, packaging and processing solutions bring together authentic Italian production methods with easy-to-use semi-automated innovation, at a competitive price point,” he tells Machinery Update.

T 01252 733200

W www.aveuk.net

At this year’s NEC-based Foodex Manufacturing Solutions, Rotech Machines introduced a pouch version of its original RF Lite equipment that already handles carton and sleeve coding. Since it was first introduced, the feeder has assisted hundreds of food & drink manufacturers in stepping up their date coding and this same compact design, costsaving technology, can now batch code pouches reliably.

The RF Lite Pouch sits alongside the Shuttle and Friction variants. Visitors could see an off-line batch coding system through the RF Lite as well as an on-line maintenance-free thermal inkjet printer, both of which allows users to trim their waste at every stage of production.

T 01707 393700

W www.rotechmachines.com

Ensuring food safety and also efficiency with a range of weigh, label and inspect equipment

Weighing, labelling and inspection technologies from Minebea Intec along with powerful software tools that ensure safety and efficiency in the processing and production of foodstuffs were seen on its stand at Foodex Manufacturing Solutions.

The VisioPointer is one of three vision inspection products from Minebea Intec which the company believes enhances the already popular inspection portfolio. It is also one of the key products that helps drive automation within food production and manufacturing.

Combined with the WPL-A automatic weigh price labeller, customers can automate the entire end of their production lines where labelling plays a significant part of the manufacturing process. This WPL-A at the show was seen alongside the company’s static weigh price labeller (WPL-S).

“Increasing pressures on factory managers are forcing more parts of the production to become automated which is where Minebea Intec can offer expert weighing, labelling and inspection solutions,” explained Peter Walker, country manager for UK and Ireland.

The company also offers a range of metal detectors, x-ray systems, recipe management software and in-line checkweighers such as the Flexus, which was available to view at the exhibition.

T 0121 779 3131

W www.minebea-intec.com