Roses Tea Blooms thanks to Marden Edwards

Marden Edwards has supplied two B100FF overwrappers to one of South Africa’s largest food and beverage producers to add the final gloss to the re-launch of its famous Five Roses Tea brand.

Entyce ‘National Brands’, a division of AVI Limited, produces a wide range of beverage products, including Freshpak, Frisco, Ellis Brown, House of Coffees as well as Five Roses. The purchase adds to a range of ME equipment acquired following a visit to interpack exhibition 2008.

The medium speed B100FF machines feature PLC control and have the ability to handle a wide variety of pack sizes. The combined output of the two wrappers enables 70 packs/minute to be produced, 35 from each machine; a pre-printed branded tear tape is also applied.

The company worked with local ME trade partner Pakmatic , based in Johannesburg, on the specifications required. “Purchasing two of the wrappers gives us flexibility for peaks and troughs in production,” explained Jeremiah Makhomu, operations executive, Entyce Beverages. “And as the machines can operate at between 30 and 50 packs/minute, this will enable us to expand production capacity in future.”

The machines are currently used to overwrap hinge-lid cartons of tea with dimensions of 145x139x75mm with a tuck and fold end seal. Marden Edwards added a side load film spindle and splice deck for easy film reel change, plus a quick splice facility between the finished film reel and the next one to be loaded.

Another feature of the B100FF is the ease of operation and integration into existing lines. “The wrapper was simply plugged into the line, powered up and began production immediately,” says ME sales manager Tony Strutt.

“Maintenance and cleaning is simple and straightforward to undertake, which is very important when working in a dusty environment such as tea production,” added Mr Makhomu.

Product transport conveyors were engineered during the overwrapper installation to link the cartoning machine to the two overwrappers. To date the wrappers have given trouble free operation and ME anticipate a further order from Entyce for a similar machine later in 2010.

To find out more about AVI and its products visit: https://www.avi.co.za/portfolio/6865-2/