SMC’s Andrew Clothier (stand 2023, and pictured with visitor Catherine Downs from Vertex Engineers in Hamilton) says visitors were gravitating to its new tech, including its Industry 4.0 offerings and energy-saving solutions. Clothier said business was strong in the New Zealand marketplace, where SMC leads in its market, with 37 per cent market share
Soar Print’s Paul Jacomb (stand 2123) said the NZ printing company was launching its new flexible pouch printing offering at Foodtech Packtech. The third generation family business has diversified over the years, with pouch printing flexible pouches its latest foray, and Jacomb says the company can print all sorts of pouches including zip lock bags, stand-up pouches and pre-formed bags “We are getting lots of enquiries from new ventures and boutique foodies, and we are feeling our way, so we can respond to what the market wants," he says. "Our optimum run is 10,000 but we can go down to low numbers.”
Jonathan Schulberg of Eriez Magnetics (stand 3021) demonstrated the company’s Vibratory Feeder for wet or dry product. The electromagnetic system can be used in various environments, he says, including hot and cold. The company also has a magnetic liquid line trap on show that removes scale, oxides and iron contaminants in liquid and slurry lines, and a magnetic grate to remove iron and tram iron from dry and free flowing products. Eriez has a 50-year history in Australia but New Zealand is a young market for the company, and it is actively looking for local partners.
Ecolean’s Mark Easton (stand 2081) was in New Zealand to exhibit the company’s lightweight packaging, which aims to offer a reduced environmental impact. The packaging material consists of part plastic part calcium carbonate (chalk) which provides strength and stiffness to the package and uses less plastic. The company, which supplies Australian dairy company Bannister Downs, offers a packaging alternative to traditional rigid plastics and cardboard cartons for beverages, and increasingly food products like soups and stocks. Easton says interest has been strong at the show. “The next year is an important year for us, as we will have lots of installations coming on line on both sides of the Tasman.”
Sharon Humphreys from Packaging New Zealand (stand 2004) and Nerida Kelton of The Australian Institute of Packaging were exhibiting some of the winning Australian and New Zealand entries from the latest PIDA and WorldStar packaging awards. The AIP is also launching its new food waste training course, The ‘Role of Packaging in Minimising Food Waste tomorrow', and on Thursday is running a two-hour seminar on food waste and sustainable packaging.
Diverseco’s Kevin Aburn (stand 3017) was manning the stand alongside a Duaro collaborative robot from Kawasaki. Also on show were some of the company's food inspection solutions including an OCS checkweigher and a Mesutronic metal detector, which are both represented in New Zealand and Australia by Diverseco company AccuPak.
Aerofloat Katie Moor and Ray Anderson (stand 3129) were exhibiting their patented wastewater system in New Zealand for the first time. They were running a video of their recent 4Pines brewery installation in Brookvale, Sydney on the stand, and the company has also recently completed its first NZ implementation. Moor says Aerofloat is taking the opportunity, while in New Zealand, to meet with potential agents in the region.
Flexco’s Ellaina Grixti (stand 3032) says the company is at the show to demonstrate its Segmented Transfer Plate, a bright yellow product that helps to prevent product loss at the belt-to-belt or belt-to-chute transition point, preventing damage to the product and to the belt and conveyor structure. The company is also exhibiting its Food Grade Primary Cleaner (pictured), a blue blade that cleans belts used for meat or wet products, and is easily assembled and disassembled.
Foodtech Packtech is on this week in Auckland, New Zealand with more than 250 suppliers exhibiting their wares across four halls at the ASB Showgrounds, making it the largest edition in over a decade, according to organisers.
The expo, which has been running for 20 years, includes some new features, including the Business Growth Hub, a new space featuring presentations, awards and industry networking, and The Innovation Quarter, a chance to see Patrol robots, drones, telescopic, hydraulic docking, augmented reality and virtual reality in action.
The show also features the Materials Handling & Logistics Expo, and has a three-day seminar series featuring presentations from industry experts.
We spoke to a number of exhibitors on their stands who shared just some of the highlights on the show floor.
Click on the images in the gallery above, or scroll down for more.
Diverseco’s Kevin Aburn (stand 3017) was manning the stand alongside a Duaro collaborative robot from Kawasaki. Also on show were some of the company's food inspection solutions including an OCS checkweigher and a Mesutronic metal detector, which are both represented in New Zealand and Australia by Diverseco company AccuPak.
Ecolean’s Mark Easton (stand 2081) was in New Zealand to exhibit the company’s lightweight packaging, which aims to offer a reduced environmental impact. The packaging material consists of part plastic part calcium carbonate (chalk) which provides strength and stiffness to the package and uses less plastic. The company, which supplies Australian dairy company Bannister Downs, offers a packaging alternative to traditional rigid plastics and cardboard cartons for beverages, and increasingly food products like soups and stocks. Easton says interest has been strong at the show. “The next year is an important year for us, as we will have lots of installations coming on line on both sides of the Tasman.”Flexco’s Ellaina Grixti (stand 3032) says the company is at the show to demonstrate its Segmented Transfer Plate, a bright yellow product that helps to prevent product loss at the belt-to-belt or belt-to-chute transition point, preventing damage to the product and to the belt and conveyor structure. The company is also exhibiting its Food Grade Primary Cleaner (pictured), a blue blade that cleans belts used for meat or wet products, and is easily assembled and disassembled.Soar Print’s Paul Jacomb (stand 2123) said the NZ printing company was launching its new flexible pouch printing offering at Foodtech Packtech. The third generation family business has diversified over the years, with pouch printing flexible pouches its latest foray, and Jacomb says the company can print all sorts of pouches including zip lock bags, stand-up pouches and pre-formed bags “We are getting lots of enquiries from new ventures and boutique foodies, and we are feeling our way, so we can respond to what the market wants," he says. "Our optimum run is 10,000 but we can go down to low numbers.”Jonathan Schulberg of Eriez Magnetics (stand 3021) demonstrated the company’s Vibratory Feeder for wet or dry product. The electromagnetic system can be used in various environments, he says, including hot and cold. The company also has a magnetic liquid line trap on show that removes scale, oxides and iron contaminants in liquid and slurry lines, and a magnetic grate to remove iron and tram iron from dry and free flowing products. Eriez has a 50-year history in Australia but New Zealand is a young market for the company, and it is actively looking for local partners.Sharon Humphreys from Packaging New Zealand (stand 2004) and Nerida Kelton of The Australian Institute of Packaging were exhibiting some of the winning Australian and New Zealand entries from the latest PIDA and WorldStar packaging awards. The AIP is also launching its new food waste training course, The ‘Role of Packaging in Minimising Food Waste tomorrow', and on Thursday is running a two-hour seminar on food waste and sustainable packaging.Aerofloat Katie Moor and Ray Anderson (stand 3129) were exhibiting their patented wastewater system in New Zealand for the first time. They were running a video of their recent 4Pines brewery installation in Brookvale, Sydney on the stand, and the company has also recently completed its first NZ implementation. Moor says Aerofloat is taking the opportunity, while in New Zealand, to meet with potential agents in the region.
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