How to Find a Reliable Supplier of Food Packaging Machines?
A packaging machine is an automated equipment or system that is designed and manufactured to realise the automation of packaging process for a specific product. The packaging machine can work for primary, secondary and tertiary packaging depending on the purpose for which it is developed.
For a food processing and manufacturing company, it becomes unparallelly essential to find a reliable packaging machine supplier given the considerations that the equipment is expected to run for years and as well as that in the food industry there are bunches of regulations and requirements to comply with regarding food safety.
Below in this blog you will find some critical tips for you to help you figure out the reliable food packaging machine manufacturers.
Avoid Working with Fake Manufacturers or Bogus Trading Companies
If you are looking for a packaging machine from China, “fake manufacturers” would be a primary issue to concern. Fake manufactures are those trading companies who pretend to be a manufacturer yet actually outsource and resell.
A typical method how they disguise their identity is the “actor scam”. They would have appealing pictures of facilities, machines with their logos, and workers dressing in uniform with their logo to make an image that they are a manufacturer, yet however the truth can be that they have nothing on their own. A trading company would visit a real factory and ask for the company owner to agree that they do these tricks and in exchange they can promote their machines.
Most low-end companies would agree to do so now that they are not able to engage in international sales. Such trading company would also exaggerate their capability in terms how much machines they “manufacture” each year, how many clients they have served, as well as their company history.
Such a bogus trading company usually has on their website bunches of kinds packaging machines unreasonable from all ranges and categories and claims to be “the top” or “the leading” manufacturer of each of them.
With above information there is no definite implication that all trading companies are terrible now that admittedly there are some of them who offer excellent services. The key factor here is to avoid working with a company that would be cheating you from the very beginning.
Check the Materials Used for Building the Machine
A food packaging machine must meet bunches of applicable regulations regarding safe food contact materials. To specify and within Europe, both (EC) No. 1935/2004 and VO (EU) No. 10/2011 have enforced requirements on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food and lay down general rules for all food contact materials, including plastics, ceramics, glass, and metals. The regulation requires that all food contact materials must not transfer their constituents to food in quantities that could endanger human health or change the composition of the food in an unacceptable way. It also mandates that all food contact materials must be manufactured in accordance with good manufacturing practices and be properly labelled.
A cartoning machine with a lot of zinc galvanised iron parts
which is not safe food serving
The regulation also establishes a positive list of substances that are authorised for use in food contact materials, and it sets specific migration limits for certain substances. This means that only approved substances can be used in the manufacture of food contact materials, and those substances must not migrate from the material into the food beyond established limits.
In the case of food packaging machines, the construction should be of solid and robust stainless steel, and should avoid the use of galvanised and coated irons which will migrate during the long term and generate toxic substances.
Specify IP Ratings and Whether to Washdown
Food packaging machines are supposed to be used in complex food processing and manufacturing environment where hygiene and sanitation are critical. The cleaning of food packaging machines would involve spraying it with water directly and thus IP (Ingress Protection) ratings and washdown construction will be essential.
An example of washdown cartoner machine
IP ratings provide information about the degree of protection that the machine’s enclosure provides against dust and water ingress. This has a lot of benefits to the maintenance of food packaging machines. A higher IP rating means that the machine is more protected from environmental factors that could damage it or cause it to fail, such as moisture, dust, and debris. Washdown is another important consideration for food packaging machines. Washdown refers to the process of cleaning the machine with water and/or detergents to remove any food residue or other contaminants. Food packaging machines must be able to withstand the rigors of regular washdowns without being damaged or causing contamination.
By specifying appropriate IP ratings and ensuring that the machine can withstand washdown, food packaging machines can be designed and constructed to meet the strict hygiene and safety standards required in the food industry. This helps to prevent food contamination and ensures that the final product is safe for consumption.
Look Further Beyond: It is not a Simple Transaction
Professionals over at eliter-packaging.com, which is secondary packaging machine manufacturer, suggest that the purchase of a packaging machine is not a simple transaction of money and equipment, however, the buyer should also look for a long-term commitment from the supplier. There are bunches of reasons, for example:
Cost: A packaging machine is a significant investment for any food processing company, and the cost of the machine is usually high. Therefore, purchasing a packaging machine requires careful consideration and planning to ensure that it aligns with the company’s budget and financial goals. A supplier who fails to deliver qualified and adequate packaging machine will bring significant problems to the user including the lagged production plan and loss in opportunity cost.
Maintenance: A packaging machines require regular maintenance to function optimally. Therefore, it’s crucial to consider the availability of maintenance and repair services before purchasing a packaging machine.
Technology: Moreover, technology in the packaging industry is continually evolving, and new machines with better features are being developed. Purchasing a packaging machine is a long-term investment, and companies must consider future technology advancements to ensure that the machine remains relevant in the long run.
In the End
Looking for a reliable packaging machine manufacturer or supplier is the key factor that lays down the foundation for a successful project. It is suggested to count on professional supplier who is the real manufacture rather than a trading company that only passes information, and who actually knows the ABC of packaging machines not only about the engineering and also has knowledge around applicable regulations.