Foodtech Packtech heating up

Foodtech Packtech heating up

Everything packaging and food technology will be on show in Auckland in October when Foodtech Packtech returns, and it's looking like being a sell-out. Organiser XPO Exhibitions believes this is a clear indicator that the economy is on the improve.

"Food is the backbone of New Zealand, and quite a lot of its muscle too," says Irene Smith. "Most of our income is from our food exports, and we shouldn't forget the importance of the international reputation of New Zealand food and wine as a factor in tourism. Foodtech Packtech is the premier industry event for the food and beverage sector as well as the packaging industry. It's clear from the strong support by industry suppliers that these sectors are strong, and that strength will drive economic recovery and future growth."

Even the Aussies see the vibrancy of the New Zealand market, with the Australian Institute of Packaging heading to Auckland to exhibit for the first time at Foodtech Packtech.

"As the largest educational institute in the Australian packaging industry, the AIP is the only association in Australasia designed to recognise, educate and assist the individuals who make up the diverse packaging industry," says executive officer Nerida Kelton. "The primary function of the Institute is to offer educational and technical training for individuals within the packaging industry as well as cross-functional networking opportunities."

The AIP has played a significant role as the educational arm of the packaging industry. Through training courses, seminars, national conferences, technical dinners and their flagship Diploma in Packaging Technology and Certificate in Packaging, the AIP continues to provide professional and personal development to everyone in the packaging industry.

"For the last thirty years hundreds of students have graduated from the internationally-recognised and accredited Diploma in Packaging Technology and Certificate courses and the AIP continues to believe that education and training is critical to the success of the Australasian packaging industry.

"In 1980 the AIP took over the responsibility for tutoring the Diploma in Packaging technology in Australia, New Zealand and a number of South East Asian countries, an arrangement which has continued until the present day. During this time the World Packaging Organisation recognised the course as the best of its kind in the world.

"The AIP offers a range of education opportunities to individuals and corporates seeking to expand their knowledge and commercial opportunities across the breadth of the packaging industry. These courses are internationally accredited by the PIABC in the UK and are the benchmark for training worldwide. Graduates of AIP courses are recognised internationally, expanding their global employment opportunities."

Visitors to Foodtech Packtech will also see and, in many cases, get up close and hands on with the latest technology and equipment. Among the exhibitors that will have stands packed with lots for visiting food and packaging professionals to check out is E C Attwood/Intellipack. On show will be smart technology foam-in-place systems, both hand-held and in-bag. Product Specialist Barry White says the SmartAIM and SmartBAGGER systems are proven to produce high-quality foam packaging with every shot. "We've spent a lot of time and money to design these ranges from the operator's point of view. We have placed a lot of emphasis on safety, ease of use and superior performance."

If food's more your thing than packaging then VEMAG will be a highlight, with new developments on display, says Erik van Roekel. "The VEMAG forming machine 250 provides the benefit of a flexible production line for products from meat or vegetable mixtures which can be formed - like rissoles, beefburgers or spiced mince fingers. Unlike conventional production processes, you can vary the shape and size of your product using quick-change forming nozzles or settings on the portioning computer of the vacuum filler. The meat fibres in the finished product retain their natural alignment so that the end-product has the bite of a handmade speciality.

"The Seydelmann Automatic Grinder is another beauty. It can handle both frozen and fresh meat. The powerful six-speed working worm is almost wear- and maintenance-free. The six speeds are steplessly preadjustable meaning the various materials can be transported through the grinding set with the ideal speed. This guarantees the best possible cut-image and an extremely uniform granulation. The four-speed feeding worm allows steplessly preadjustable feeding.

"The Flexible Sausage Line FSL 120 offers flexible and accurate length portioning, linking and separating of sausages in natural and collagen casings. Each sausage is different, and each product is handled differently. Specify the calibre and weight entering the data using the intuitively operated control unit and the length is calculated by the machine automatically - and it links the sausage at exactly the right point, without any more programming. All at up to 800 portions per minute.

"The HP10L vacuum filler will also be on show. Whether you want to process a single product all day or produce various sausages on the same ROBOT HP10L, product changes with expensive downtimes are a thing of the past. The machine housing of the ROBOT HP10L is made entirely of stainless steel - conventional industrial cleaning methods can be used to clean the filler after each use without affecting the machine control system."

On the subject of staying clean, New Zealand's single largest industrial cleaning company in its sector will be at Foodtech Packtech. KP Sweeping is the industry leader and specialist when it comes to industrial cleaning, says owner Neil Pemberton. "We can guarantee a first time solution because we are a one-stop shop for all your industrial cleaning requirements.

"Our process starts with an initial clean followed with revisiting the site to set up the right programme needed to maintain the level of future service, through to a full KP Maintenance Programme.

"We also offer other services including emergency spills, steam and water blasting, scrubbing, cesspit cleaning, emptying of three-way interceptors, acid etching, low dust sweeping, litter removal, concrete floor sealing, flood recovery, painting industrial floors, grinding, concrete repairs and two-pot epoxy floor coating systems. KP Sweeping also specialises in entry, exit cleans and event site cleanup.

"Many of our customers need concrete grinding, repairs and two-pot epoxy floor finishes. To assist them we invested a considerable amount of time and capital into investigating this market, purchasing the right equipment, training staff and then trialling various epoxy products to be able to offer the best possible solution in floor surfaces. This is a new addition to the many services KP Sweeping offers."

Foodtech Packtech is a full industry event, with endorsement from both the Packaging Council and New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology. Members of both organisations benefit because the event is the only place where more than 170 New Zealand and overseas exhibitors gather, as well as offering access to seminars and business networking opportunities.

Foodtech Packtech is a trade-only event with free entry, and runs from 12 to 14 October at the ASB Showgrounds in Auckland. Visitors can register online at http://www.foodtechpacktech.co.nz/

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