The food packaging industry requires your operation to adjust to rapidly evolving trends and regulations, which are often driven by shifting consumer preferences for convenience and sustainability. It is also imperative that your facilities ensure a consistently sanitary environment. To keep pace, it is important to embrace automation that enhances efficiency, meets strict sanitation standards, and adapts to ever-changing production needs. At MFT Automation, we specialize in flexible automation solutions designed to streamline food packaging and optimize your production processes.
Why Flexibility is Key in Food Packaging Automation
Food production presents unique challenges: from handling different packaging formats to maintaining hygiene and compliance. Our flexible automation systems allow you as a food manufacturer to:
Increase Efficiency – Automated equipment in our washdown and hygienic line reduces manual labor, speeds up processes, and enhances overall productivity.
Maintain Sanitation Standards – Equipment built with passivated stainless steel and FDA-approved contact surfaces ensures compliance with food safety regulations.
Adapt to Market Demands – As consumer preferences shift, automation must support new packaging types, sustainable initiatives, and materials like wax paper, cardboard, and biodegradable plastics.
Hygienic Washdown Friction Feeders: Solutions for High-Performance Food Packaging
Designed for food producers who require reliable, washdown-ready automation, our Hygienic Washdown Friction Feeders ensure seamless food packaging with:
Minimal Contamination Points – Reduces downtime with a design that minimizes the need for disassembly and reassembly.
Easy Cleaning & Maintenance – Built with 304 passivated stainless steel, offering superior resistance to moisture and corrosion.
Sanitary Compliance – FDA-approved contact surfaces including feed belts, stripper wheels and discharge belts, and IP-certified components allow you to meet industry regulations.
Whether utilizing flow wrapping machines for snack packaging or food production machines for frozen goods, MFT’s custom automation solutions provide the flexibility you need to stay competitive.
Future-Proof Your Food Production with MFT Automation
Your food industry operation demands scalable, hygienic, and efficient automation to keep up with rising production needs. MFT Automation’s custom food packaging machines empower manufacturers to increase output, maintain safety standards, and adapt to evolving industry trends.
Ready to optimize your food packaging process? Contact MFT Automation today to discover how our solutions can enhance your production line.
The fast-paced food packaging industry works hard to keep up with the growing demands of consumers and recently has been trying to overcome the recent global events and concerns. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased public interest in food safety with many consumers demanding transparency and pushing for more regulations and requirements for food packaging. This public outcry has incentivized companies to eliminate even more human contact from their food packaging production lines. To meet the growing food safety and output demands of consumers, the food packaging industry is once again turning towards more automation. Let’s explore some of the applications and trends in the food packaging industry.
In many industries, heat-sealed pouches have become an efficient and cost-effective way to send product samples, and sometimes even products themselves to customers. Heat-sealed packets are highly versatile as they can be made with many different materials and come in many different sizes. Because of their versatility, they are used in many industries for many different kinds of products. And a new demand for custom samples and products has risen in consumers that make re-sealable and disposable pouches as a good way to fulfill lot size one orders for small items. The small and portable pouches are also perfect for the current grab n’ go culture. Anything from snacks to beauty creams to medicine, the pouches can hold a little bit of everything and fit easily inside bags. Looking to start using heat-sealed sample packets or looking to automate your pouch packaging process? From verifying barcodes to labeling pouches, there are many opportunities for automation. Here’s our guide on automating your pouch packaging process.
In the food and beverage industry, food safety is a top priority. Keeping a sanitary environment at all stages of the food packaging process is vital for the safety of customers and the bottom line of the business. A joint study by the Food Marketing Institute and Grocery Manufacturers Association found that on average food recalls cost food companies $10 million in direct costs, this number doesn’t even include the damage to the brand’s reputation and the loss in sales while the company works to regain public trust. Investing in food safety as a business could save millions of dollars in legal damages in the long run.
Did you know the Global Foods Packaging industry could reach $400 billion by the year 2025? While this industry continues to grow, so does the need for companies to automate their manufacturing processes. This is where automation equipment can be a resource; such as labeling machines and label applicators.
If you work in engineering or operations, you may be looking to improve your process. If you’re a business owner or purchasing manager, you need a labeler that will justify the investment. No matter what seat you’re in, there are a few steps to take before choosing a labeler machine.
Step 1: Define Production Challenges & Goals
Before you begin researching automatic label machines, take time to define what it is you’re trying to fix. Knowing this up front will help you decide on a label machine and manufacturing partner.
Have you tried to implement automation equipment but felt resistance from your team? In this case you may need an automation equipment manufacturer who provides on-site training. Have you launched a new product and need automate a difficult packing process? In this case, you might need a customized integrated labeling system. Were you recently hired to help improve production timelines and output? Are you tasked with implementing new technology and strategies on the production line? In these situations, you might need an automation equipment and a manufacturer who has a process that’s supported by data and procedures.
Here are some questions to help you understand your situation, challenges, and goals.
Questions to Ask
What is the smallest and largest product that needs a label applied?
What size labels do I need?
How fast and how accurate do I need to apply the labels?
What production issues is our team currently experiencing?
What does successful automation look like to my customers, team, and company?
Step 2: Research and Select a Label Manufacturer
Choosing an automation partner is like finding a dealership before you can test drive your new ride. Factors like the location of the dealership and number of vehicles to choose from are important. But the “feel-good” factors like your connection with the salesman or their Google reviews are also important.
The same goes for choosing a label manufacturer and partner for your automation equipment. They need to have equipment that can do what you need it to do — like apply labels accurately and efficiently. And, they need to offer the customization and support your team and application need. Below are a few questions you can ask yourself and manufacturers when vetting out new partnerships. Be sure to also get a feel for their company and culture as well.
Questions to Ask
Does the manufacturer have proof of experience with my application (i.e. YouTube videos)?
What kind of aftermarket support does my team need? Does the manufacturer offer this?
Are there testimonials that showcase the manufacturer’s work with other food packaging companies?
Does the manufacturer offer free video trials of our products processed on their equipment?
Do they manufacture their own equipment in-house? Or, do they purchase and resell equipment from overseas suppliers?
Step 3: Identify Your Label Applicator Needs
Multifeeder Hygienic Food Labeler
Sometimes you aren’t sure what type of labeling machine or label applicator you need (example pre-printed or print and apply) — and that’s okay. Your manufacturing partner should be able to help identify the best solution based on the challenges and goals you share.
When operating in a food manufacturing environment, a good place to start is to consider the type of labeling machine you need. There are two basic types of food labeling machines: a hygienic labeler or a standard labeler. Both are great options depending on the level of regulations required on your production lines — like ones permitted by the FDA.
Due to rising foodborne outbreaks and recent CDC and FDA regulations, companies are opting for automation equipment that can be heavily sanitized. The best labelers for this type of cleaning are typically hygienic labelers. If your equipment doesn’t come into contact with food or beverages or isn’t even in the same facility, you may be okay utilizing a standard labeler.
Be sure to discuss these concerns and any types of regulations and requirements your company must follow with your manufacturer. It’s worth the time and research — especially when it can prevent you from having to shut down your production line.
Questions to Ask
What type of automatic label machine do I need to follow our company’s food and beverage regulations?
Are the parts for the label applicator manufactured in-house or purchased?
Is the food labeling machine customizable?
How often does the labeler machine need cleaning? What types of cleaning agents do we need to use?
Step 4: Test your samples on the Labeling Machine
It never hurts to ask. A manufacturer who is confident in their products being able to solve your needs and providing a customized experience will say yes. And there’s not a better way to validate your decision before buying something, than to see it in action.
So, ask to send samples of your product to the manufacturer and either watch the labeling machine in person or request a video of the test. This gives you an opportunity to ask questions and ensure the machine produces a quality product you’re proud of.
Questions to Ask
Does the labeling machine perform at the speed that our production process needs?
Does the automatic label machine apply labels accurately at this speed?
Will there be future testing after purchasing the labeling machine but before shipment? NOTE: This may include Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) or Site Acceptance Test (SAT).
Step 5: Confirm Lead Time Specifics
Last, but not least, get clarification on the implementation process and lead time. There’s nothing worse than investing in automation equipment that takes months to produce any results and ROI. Be sure to get clarity on timelines and expectations from your manufacturer. You’ll be thankful to have a plan in place with a process and partner you trust.
Questions to Ask
How long will it take to implement?
What types of training are available?
Do you offer start up help and training?
How long is the warranty on the labeling machine?
What technical service support is available if questions or concerns arise?
But the most important question to ask yourself after researching, requesting quotes, and vetting your options is…
“Do the labeling machine and label manufacturer I’m considering support the challenges and goals identified in step one?”
If your answer is no, it’s time to start the process over. If you’ve tried this process and are still struggling to find a label applicator that meets your needs, we’re here to help. Get in touch with us by requesting information on our automation solutions below.
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