Packaging

Leading European Meat Processor Reaps Multiple Benefits from Cryovac(R) Automated Packaging

VION is one of the leading food operators in Europe and worldwide. The meat business of the Dutch food group focuses on delivering fresh, pre-packed as well as frozen and processed meat whilst paying particular attention to quality and hygiene.

Thursday 12. February 2009 - VION is one of the leading food operators in Europe and worldwide. The meat business of the Dutch food group focuses on delivering fresh, pre-packed as well as frozen and processed meat whilst paying particular attention to quality and hygiene.

With very high output volumes reaching 4,200 units per week for the Bad Bramsted (close to Hamburg) German operation alone, VION Food Germany recently decided to adopt automated packaging for increased quality consistency and cost control.
LEADING EDGE TECHNOLOGY
Prior to this, VION were vacuum packing their fresh veal, beef and lamb industrial units on thermoforming equipment. With the help of global food packaging specialist Sealed Air, the company recently opted for a fully automatic vacuum packaging line, including the high speed robotic bag loader Cryovac Roboloader BLR1. Such high performance equipment reduces manpower and maintenance while enhancing productivity and flexibility. The machine automatically selects the appropriate bag for the relevant product size.
The meat automation project at VION Germany also included switching to Cryovac materials such as Cryovac BB3050 and OSB3050 shrink bags for exceptional sealability, as well as high puncture, tear and abuse resistance.
The project implementation was a total success, with VION technical teams trained and coached on the new packaging line and its maintenance. “The BLR1 machine is simple to maintain and extremely easy to use and clean, in addition to enhancing logistics and product flow”, said Dipl.-Ing. Peter Overmann, Plant Manager.

SUBSTANTIAL BENEFITS
The packaging automation project generates numerous benefits for VION. First, it results in substantial productivity gains, as well as savings in manpower and maintenance costs – a critical advantage for large-scale meat packaging operations. Second, it allows the company to produce meat packs of consistent quality, size and cost. Such increased reliability also leads to increased productivity and output.
The high resistance bags bring quality assurance and reliability, ensuring product quality throughout the distribution chain. They provide high sealability for increased pack integrity, exceptional abuse resistance and seal strength, increased output with fewer rejects and leakers, while ensuring improved product visibility.
Moreover, the Cryovac shrink barrier bags bring the added benefit of meat maturation under vacuum, resulting in increased tenderness and eating quality.

OPTIMAL RESULTS
This new packaging solution has now been successfully integrated by the three major VION beef plants in Germany. The meat packs are delivered to major retail chains such as Metro, Real, Edeka, Tengelmann in Moksel, VION Convenience Stores and Handelshof.
Now a standard configuration with all BLR1 machines, the Cryovac Plug’n Pack system further boosts productivity. Easy to install, this device allows very quick bag chain installation, delivering higher productivity and flexibility by reducing downtimes for bag changeovers.
“The BLR1 is a very reliable machine which could run 24 hours a day if we needed it to”, said operating mechanic H. Oppermann, briefly summarizing the significant technical benefits brought by Cryovac leading edge automation. Based on such success, VION managers are thinking of buying an additional BLR1 line.