Delivering the best

Nearly 100 product manufacturers, suppliers and technology providers will showcase their wares and services to help companies innovate, operate more effectively, increase profits and keep up with consumer demand.

T Freemantle (Stand B12) and Nicholl Food Packaging (Stand C10) will be there, with first-time exhibitors Tinware Direct (Stand A79), Winkworth Machinery (Stand A54) and Aptar Food and Beverages (Stand C76). In addition to astrong UK presence at Pro2Pac, companies from Australia, the Republic of Ireland, Israel, France, Taiwan and Finland will highlight an increasing international focus of the show.

A wealth of ideas includes the Memory Tab label from Goldcrest Labels (Stand B16). It takes the form of a perforated tab on the back label of a bottle of wine, which a consumer removes to keep as a reminder.

Rexam (Stand B72) will show high-barrier plastics packaging and Rexam bowls supplied to Nestlé Germany.

Volumetric depositors, filling machines and transfer pumps will occupy Riggs Autopack (Stand D36). PFM Packaging Machinery (Stand B20) is showing its automatic feeding, flowrap and VFFS machinery and weighing systems.

Chilled food label specialist Ravenwood Packaging (Stand A62) is raising expectations with a ‘highly creative, green themed’ stand to display its expertise in linerless labels. It will feature a sleek, shiny US airstream trailer as a meeting point. But the spotlight will be on the Nobac range, capable of applying sleeves in many formats and of wrapping irregular packs such as poultry. The company also serves the drinks, healthcare, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and toiletries sectors.

Bpi.films (Stand B18), the manufacturer of polythene shrink, stretch and convertor films is to display technically advanced down-gauged films, which aim to improve efficiency, reduce costs and minimise environmental impact. For example, Novatek shrinkfilms are said to offer the performance of conventional products but from a considerably reduced film thickness, and post-use packaging is 100% recyclable. Also promoted will be the company’s Supreme RIX12, described as a highly versatile, multi-layer cast stretchfilm.

Goplasticpallets.com (Stand C28) will be promoting containers and pallets that ‘put hygiene first’ and food containers from its new division. The food range will include the GoBox 2500 CL, a foldable crate, said to make virtually no sound when erected and folded down, to reduce noise in work areas. Larger orders can benefit from a choice of 84 two-colour options.

Weber Marking Systems (Stand B1) will display its Alpha 86 Bottle Wrap System for ‘fast and accurate’ positioning of full, overlap and partial-wraps of pressuresensitive labels on cylindrical containers.

Meanwhile, Open Date Equipment’s Thermocode iQ thermal transfer printer will make its full UK debut (Stand A32). Designed to operate with all intermittent labelling and packaging machines it is said to be particularly suited for food products. As Open Date’s CEO Gary Cowlard explains: “By using three stepper motors, rather than compressed air as used on conventional machines, the iQ has extremely fine pressure adjustments, which means the life of the printhead can be doubled in many applications.”

A bonus for visitors registering for Pro2Pac is the co-located IFE International Food & Drink Exhibition, which they can also attend