Matilda Fresh Foods Pty. Ltd, through Packaging Automation's Australian agent MPI, selected a PA182 tray sealer to pack some of the thousands of tonnes of broccoli it produces annually, and which it intends to export into South East Asia later this year.

With quality and service key factors, Matilda needs machinery suppliers who can live up to its high standards.  Packaging Automation's equipment has proven itself in the UK and overseas, with the reliable PA182 being used worldwide to seal many millions of packs of food every week.

Matilda's business development manager Andrew Waddell explains: "During 2005, the company built a new processing facility in Toowoomba, Queensland, and invested in a variety of new equipment for processing and packaging broccoli. This move is part of our strategy to increase our exports this year and further develop our market in South East Asia.

This move is part of our strategy to increase our exports this year and further develop our market in South East Asia.

Amongst the key benefits of the PA182 highlighted by Mr Waddell were the fact that the PA182 was easy to use and clean as well as offering multiple options for sealing head size and shape.  In addition, the PA182 is renowned for its robust construction, reliability and ease of use.   Operators can switch from one tray size or shape to another in just two minutes and the machine's compact design and portability mean it can easily be relocated to accommodate changes in production.

At Matilda, the machine is currently operating at a speed of up to 10 packs per minute but this capacity will increase as the processing line is developed further.

Mr Waddell added: "We have had excellent service from MPI to date and the machine is operating well, allowing us to maintain the high quality standards our business is built on.  We are currently working with MPI on an expansion using a variety of Packaging Automation equipment, and I would not hesitate to recommend Packaging Automation to anyone else looking for this kind of packaging solution."

Packaging Automation was established in 1963 and is the UK's leading manufacturer of tray sealing machinery for the food industry.  Operating from 'state of the art' premises located in Knutsford, the business employs 120 people and produces a wide range of equipment. These range from simple manual units and semiautomatics through to in-line fully automated systems. The company also manufactures volumetric, filling and sealing machines, conveyors and other ancillary equipment.