COMPANY NAME
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PROFILE
iXAPACK GLOBAL
PACK TO THE FUTURE
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IXAPACK GLOBAL
I
PROFILE
French company iXAPACK GLOBAL specialises in the design and manufacture of automated production lines. Thierry Merlet, Commercial Manager, outlined the company’s capabilities to Jordan Yallop and Phil Nicholls.
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ichel Gaboriau, the current CEO, founded iXAPACK GLOBAL in 1973. The company began producing automated end-of-line packaging solutions for the food industry. From this beginning, the family-owned company steadily expanded, in 2009 and 2013 adding ultrasonic cutting and wrapping equipment to the portfolio. Based in Mauléon, in the department of Deux-Sèvres in western France, iXAPACK GLOBAL has 250 employees at its single production site. 40% of iXAPACK GLOBAL’s output of flexible automated solutions is exported. Today, iXAPACK GLOBAL designs and manufacturers four categories of automated equipment. The first is a range of weighing equipment, including a Checkweigher, with different levels of protection rate adapted to the production environment. This equipment can be associated with a CEIA type Metal Detector. This range also includes labelling machines for the top and bottom of the product and a weigh/price module. The second machine range is composed of cutting equipment. The Ultrasonic Cutting Machines are mainly used for the cheese sector but are suitable for bakery, dairy and
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snack industries to cut portions or slices. These machines easily handle cheese, brownies, cold meats, frozen pastries, pizzas and so much more. Some machines are available as semi- or fully automated systems for high-accuracy cutting and less wastage. iXAPACK GLOBAL also offers wrapping solutions. The flow wrappers provide highspeed wrapping for different product types. MAP version is available for wrapping fresh products. The X-Fold Wrapping Machine uses an X-shaped, wrapping film suited to the tea and coffee industries, as well as for rice cakes, wafers, biscuits and cosmetics. Finally, completing iXAPACK GLOBAL’s line-up is its end-of line solutions range. There are side load and top load pick place
cartoners, sleeving machines, case packers, palletisers, tray erectors and loading modules.
Production line solutions With such a broad range of automation options, iXAPACK GLOBAL offers bespoke production line solutions, designed around the individual needs of the client. The company is a market leader in offering innovative production lines featuring pouches, as highlighted by Commercial Manager Thierry Merlet: “These complete lines for pouches can include a pasteurisation tunnel, followed by a cooling tunnel, leading to multi-format packaging solutions such as a top load cartoner, a case
packer and also palletising options. This type of equipment is also transposable and adapted to all products of the food industry, including biscuits, canning, ready meals, delicatessen, and dairy products.” Mr Merlet was clear on iXAPACK GLOBAL’s USP. “What differentiates iXAPACK GLOBAL from our competitors is the fact that we manufacture all our solutions from A to Z, at our unique production site in France. We create all customer solutions at our design offices, and then we have different machines and specialised technicians for manufacturing, folding and assembling the parts. “We also have an assembly and tuning department, which allows us to start up
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the machines in real conditions as if they were on the customer’s premises.” It is iXAPACK GLOBAL’s complete production line solutions which make it stand out from the competition. The company even offers training programs for a client’s workforce to facilitate the smooth installation of the automated production line. “To meet all the client’s needs for spare parts, iXAPACK GLOBAL also has an integrated after-sales service,” Mr Merlet said. “All these follow-up services are located in one place, which allows us to be reactive and above all to offer solutions where the customer only has to deal with one contact person from the initial project to the final installation.” Customer service is a key feature of the iXAPACK GLOBAL business model according to Mr Merlet: “Our staff are very attentive, responding flexibly to our customers’ requests. We offer standard equipment, and according to the demands of the customers we adapt our machines from this standard base to match their requirements.”
Packaging goes green In the current market, customers are keen to improve the sustainability of their packaging. Mr Merlet is clear how iXAPACK GLOBAL is involved in meeting this trend: 4
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we are still opti“ But mistic, despite the current context. All the current events are shuffling the cards and we always manage to find a solution to adapt to the different changes that may occur
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“We see a real demand from clients for biodegradable, reusable packaging and even requests to remove some overwrapping. There is also a strong growth in the secondary cardboard packaging sector. These are the main challenges for us.” Where there is a demand from clients, iXAPACK GLOBAL responds. A new palletiser has been developed, featuring a roller gripper which allows it to palletise smaller formats. The new machine can handle items without an external packaging case, reducing the overall use of cardboard boxes. Another iXAPACK GLOBAL innovation is the improvement to its top load cartoner to handle recycled carboard blanks. Sustainability is also present at the iXAPACK GLOBAL production site. The company has a waste management program and sources from local suppliers and producers for the onsite catering. All manufacturing is on the single site, thereby cutting down on transportation costs. To maintain its position in the market, iXAPACK GLOBAL continues to invest in its facilities. “We have recently invested in new tools for machining,” explained Mr Merlet, “which allows us to always have highly innovative tools to manufacture parts for our machines. We are always looking to optimise our manufacturing facilities to have highly technological tools, to offer premium solutions to our clients and make our machines more flexible, intuitive and inter-connected.” A close relationship with suppliers has enabled iXAPACK GLOBAL to build up the levels of trust required to meet the needs of its customers. “It is important to always work together to be able to propose innovative and coordinated solutions,” Mr Merlet said.
Overcoming challenges The Coronavirus pandemic was a challenging time for iXAPACK GLOBAL. The company maintained production; some teams worked
from home and solutions were applied to meet the needs of customers. Factory Acceptance Tests were conducted via video and following this period, iXAPACK GLOBAL has developed a system of remote camera inspection of machines to help its clients’ maintenance technicians. Dealing with challenges is a feature of business at iXAPACK GLOBAL. “One of the biggest challenges we are currently facing is the supply of materials and components, and the increasing costs, especially with regard to shipping,” Mr Merlet explained. “But we are still optimistic, despite the current context. All the current events are shuffling the cards and we always manage to find a solution to adapt to the different changes that may occur.” Despite these logistical issues, Mr Merlet predicted a positive future for iXAPACK GLOBAL. “Our objectives for the future are to develop the company on the export market, both economically and in terms of human resources, but always with a human-sized operation and management.” n IXAPACK GLOBAL
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