Macpac significantly increases capacity in anniversary year
Macpac has completed the second phase of a £1.5million investment in its 50th anniversary year with the installation of a high speed Illig RDKP 72 automatic pressure thermoforming system at its plant in Stockport.
In line with an ambitious growth strategy which has been primarily driven by increasing demand from industries including food, Macpac’s new Illig six-bar thermoformer is set to offer the company more scope in terms of run speed. It offers industrial process control, forming/punching technology and a maximum forming area of 756mm x 535mm.
The advanced machine features a fully robotised stacking system and operates at up to 55 cycles per minute. It facilitates flexible production of medium to large-sized batch sizes with frequent changes of material type, format and tools.
The purchase of this new machine follows the installation of an Illig RD74 down stacking machine with an additional secondary punch press almost 12 months ago. This system has given Macpac the capability to produce thermoformed packs with holes punched and removed within the forming itself, using its second cut station for the required punching process.
The addition of the down stacking station means tooling can be produced more cost-effectively than any upstacked style machine without compromising run speed and quality to the product.
Macpac’s managing director, Graham Kershaw says the new Illig thermoformer is another significant investment designed to support further growth both in the UK and overseas markets.
“In particular, we are now ideally positioned to capture growing demand for our packaging solutions from the global pharmaceutical and food industries,” adds Kershaw. “Importantly, it will allow us to offer higher volumes while continuing to meet the high standards of service and quality our clients have come to expect. It also reflects utmost confidence in our people and products.”
Currently celebrating its 50-year anniversary, Macpac was founded by Chris Kershaw, father of the current owner and managing director, Graham Kershaw and has grown to become one of the UK’s largest privately owned thermoformed packaging manufacturers in the UK.
The company boasts in-house design, tooling and production facilities, as well as highly experienced sales engineers offering specialist knowledge and advice.
Macpac recycles approximately 680,000kg of r-PET per year which is re-processed back into extruded sheet for the production of more thermoforming products.
With 11 state-of-the-art Illig thermoforming systems and five CNC machines installed at its 46,500 sq ft plant, the company offers high quality plastic packaging products for food, drink and other sectors.
