Bosch Packaging Technology (Bosch) is launching its SVI 2600 vertical bagger into the South African market at Propak Africa 2016. With the ability to produce standard bag styles such as pillow, gusseted and block-bottom bags, the machine closes the gap in Bosch’s equipment portfolio for a medium-speed solution.
The bagger is designed to serve a wide range of packaging applications, from confectionery, snacks, grains and other food to products in the home care industry. Steffen Manke, GM of Bosch Packaging in South Africa, explains that the SVI 2600 was launched worldwide in 2015, and is now being introduced to southern Africa. He considers the newly developed machine as ideal for markets in southern African as it easy to operate and maintain. It also has a low total cost of ownership, with efficient energy use and cost-effective spare parts. Two of the machines have already been sold locally for use in confectionary.
With a speed of 60 to 80 bags per minute for a standard bag, the SVI 2600 joins the company’s portfolio of entry level and high-speed vertical bagging machines. Aimed at entry-level manufacturers, the Terra 25 form-fill-seal unit produces 40 to 60 bags per minute. For high speeds, the SVE range of baggers operates at 100 to 120 bags per minute.
Another product launch into the southern African market is the Pack 301 LS (length slug) horizontal flow wrapper for the efficient and flexible packaging of biscuits and crackers on edge. The mid-range automation solution is comprised of a smart measuring loader, a smart slug feeder and the Pack 301 LS horizontal flow wrapper.
To add to the range of new technologies and machines from Bosch, the first vertical high-speed bagger for doy-style bags, the SVE 2520 DZ, with a zipper as reclose ability, is also being introduced. As a vertical bagger with a small footprint, it can deliver up to 120 doy-zip bags as well as standard bag styles available on a vertical form-fill-seal machine.
World-class filling
The company is also excited to promote its increased footprint in liquid food packaging among Propak Africa 2016 visitors. The company acquired Ampack and Osgood Industries some time ago. Both of these filling machine manufacturers are represented by Bosch at a South African expo for the first time. Their solutions are aimed at dairy and juice filling industries, but are also targeted at ice-cream and margarine manufacturers.
‘We are growing our local team to support our range of solutions available to the South African market,’ continues Manke. ‘What makes our local team unique, is that our customers are able to talk directly to their equipment manufacturer, instead of working through an agent. As part of our field service in the country, we have engineers available to assist as well as spare parts for some of our machines.’
Manke adds that the company hopes to make new customer contacts at the exhibition and promote itself as a solutions provider for not only high-speed applications, but also medium-speed requirements. ‘So far, Propak Africa 2016 has made a good impression, and defends the Propak Africa brand well as the leading packaging show in southern Africa.’
Bosch Packaging has four office in Africa, including Midrand in South Africa, Nairobi in Kenya, Lagos in Nigeria and Cairo in Egypt, which serves Middle Eastern and North African markets.
To learn more about the full range of packaging and filling solutions from Bosch, visit Hall 6 Stand F6 at Propak Africa 2016. The show is being held at the Expo Centre, Nasrec in Johannesburg from 15 to 18 March.
