Packaging manufacturer 'blows' money into new machine

Reusable plastic packaging manufacturer, Schoeller Allibert, has invested in a new blow-moulding machine to double its in-house production capacity for the ‘Maxipac’, its folding bulk container, following an increase in demand.

The new machine at Schoeller Allibert’s Winsford factory in the UK will be used to manufacture the blow moulded panels that are used for the Maxipac as well as roll cage bases.  The company says the new state of the art technology can make two blow moulded panels at the same time, enabling the company to produce a Maxipac container every 100 seconds.

The Maxipac container is said to provide a compact solution for storage, distribution or retail ready point of sale. Schoeller Allibert says it has seen increasing demand for the product, particularly among retailers because the blow moulded panels are both impact resistant and provide a more customer orientated design for product merchandising.

Matt Smith, Operations Director Europe West for Schoeller Allibert, explained: “We are the only reusable transit packaging manufacturer to use the blow moulding technique, others rely on injection moulding.  This gives the Maxipac many advantages and is the reason it has become so popular in many different industries – for example, its panels are all incredibly strong with smooth surfaces, which are easy to clean and provide better ergonomics and aesthetics.”

The blow moulding investment adds to the two existing machines at the site, doubling Schoeller Allibert’s in-house production capacity in the UK.  Matt Smith continued: “This investment boosts our in-house capacity and gives us greater control of the whole production process. “

Schoeller Allibert says the new investment will also help meet increasing demand for plastic roll cage bases, which are much quieter in operation than traditional metal ones.  The machine will be used to manufacture full and half size blow moulded plastic bases for roll cages.