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TOTAL Show, NEC - 15 May 2007 - Automated Packaging Systems, the world leader in high-reliability
packaging equipment, is launching a new product into the food sector at this year’s TOTAL Process and
Packaging Show. The new FAS SPrint Bagging System™ has been specifically developed to handle the
packing of frozen produce including meat, poultry and fish. FAS SPrint brings new levels of speed and
flexibility to established and seasonal food packaging operations that require fast changeovers and daily
wash-down.
Building on the company’s extensive experience in the USA and proven track record in packaging, it was a
logical move to expand into the European food industry. FAS SPrint is a competitively priced, enhanced
performance bagging solution that targets the IQF (Individually Quick Frozen) and frozen food categories.
Extensive research shows that such food manufacturers have a requirement to drive costs down, achieve
maximum productivity and provide more flexible packaging operations and solutions to handle the required
bagging of smaller and individual portion sizes.
“Based on the success we have seen with FAS SPrint in North America, we are able to deliver a competitive
and flexible packaging solution. The machine utilises the latest in packaging technology for food processing
operations that demand different bag sizes and frequent product changeovers, and that have varying
weights of the produce in the same bag,” said Paul Hayden, marketing and commercial manager at
Automated Packaging Systems European headquarters.
The FAS SPrint bagging machine is specifically designed to handle the packing of frozen meat, poultry, fish
and associated by-products. The new system operates at speeds of up to 120 bags per minute in continuous
mode, delivering best-in-class performance for both hand-load and fully automatic operations – an important
factor in the IQF sector where hand sorting and packing is also required.
Quick to set up and easy to operate, FAS SPrint is constructed from corrosion-resistant stainless steel, has a
one-touch clean-out switch, and a 90-degree tilt action for ease in cleaning. The multi-language function can be configured for a range of languages, making it ideal for the European IQF market.
Commenting on the new product introduction, Paul Hayden added, “FAS SPrint is the ideal product to take
us into the food sector, reducing costs and delivering significant increases in operator productivity compared
to manual operations. The new bagger has been engineered and optimised to provide increases in flexible
food packaging applications, and its unique design makes fast and efficient work of bag loading on high
productivity lines.”
The new system delivers a conveyor of pre-opened bags for immediate loading from a 152cm wide load
area, and can be integrated with a variety of automatic infeed systems for semi- to fully-automatic
packaging of portion or bulk packs. Innovative SidePouch™ bags are available that can be pre-printed, and
include reclosable zippers, resealable flaps, reinforced headers and tamper-evident perforations.
After filling, the bags pass through an automatic sealing operation and then dispensed to outfeed conveyors
or for bulk packaging. The system can be fully integrated with a wide range of infeeds and wash-down compatible inline printing equipment for semi- to fully-automatic packaging of portion or bulk packs. Product
changeovers are fast and easy with the operator-friendly AutoTouch™ Control Screen, which stores settings
for up to 50 jobs.
FAS SPrint incorporates many of the company’s next generation technologies for enhanced reliability and
maximum uptime. On-board system diagnostics help troubleshoot potential queries to keep the system
running reliably, and as with all Automated Packaging Systems’ products it is backed by an extensive
support network operation.
Other products also being showcased at TOTAL include the company’s flagship print and pack bagging
systems, the recently launched OneStep range, and the AirPouch void filling system. To see these products
in action please visit Automated Packaging Systems on stand 4626 at TOTAL 2007.
About Automated Packaging Systems
Automated Packaging Systems is a world leader in high reliability automated packaging solutions with an
unrivalled reputation for high performance, over 25,000 machines in operation worldwide and productivity driven solutions backed by a customer service operation that is second to none. Automated Packaging
Systems pioneered the introduction of in-line printing to the bagging operation over 30 years ago with their
Autobag® range of baggers and in-line printers. Designed to meet all the latest industry-specific printing
requirements at the same time as the bagging operation eliminates the requirement for a separate printing
process, therefore increasing productivity and reducing costs. Further information about the full range of Automated Packaging bags and bagging machinery is available by telephoning the European Headquarters in Malvern, UK on +44 (0)1684 891400.
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