PFM Packaging Machinery was highly commended in two categories of the 2014 PPMA Group Awards, announced on 30 September at the PPMA Show.
In the first category the innovative nature of PFM’s new D-Series servo controlled pouch machine – a world first – won the judges’ commendation while in the second it was PFM’s outstanding customer service record over a substantial period of time.
The D-Series Full Servo stand-up pouch machines break new ground with servo drive and format adjustment employed for the first time in this class of packaging equipment, so giving improved efficiency, consistent quality and dramatically reduced changeover times compared with traditional mechanically driven machines.
PFM expects the machines to fuel an expansion in the use of pouches, particularly where higher quality packaging is required and runs are of medium length upwards. Applications so far include mozzarella and liquid, grated cheese, soup powder and pet food.
The customer service commendation was given for PFM’s support of weighing and wrapping operations – involving 22 PFM machines – at Dairy Crest facilities in Frome and Nuneaton over the past 23 years.
“The high standard of customer service from PFM extends from spares supply, on a same-day basis if necessary, through operator training and engineering support, to project management of entire lines,” says Adrian Strudwick, group packaging engineering manager at Dairy Crest.
He adds: “Dairy Crest runs some of the most stringent acceptance tests in the industry, particularly as far as seal quality is concerned, and I am convinced that PFM’s commitment to meet those standards has created the high level of two-way communication on which the excellent customer service we receive is based.”
PFM’s entry is also supported by Kerry Foods at Hyde, Manchester where eight PFM high speed Scirocco flow-wrappers are employed on a range of sausages.
Service contracts with PFM are also a key element for this customer.
