Fenmarc ’ s fantastic four !
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
34 FDPP - www . fdpp . co . uk wide , such as pillow , gusseted and block bottom . The GIC3100 boasts a robust mechanical design with a new counterbalance system for higher speeds .
The new plant requirement was for each GIC3100 to handle over 100 packs per minute , with pack weights ranging from 100g to 800g .
“ 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