Due to an increasing order book from sandwich manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and food service providers across Europe, family-run Extons Foods, which had previously supplied only sliced cheese, is now producing around 80 tonnes of the grated variety every week after investing in PFM’s solutions in a new production line at its Manchester facility.
PFM installed a line featuring a product elevator, cross feeder, support gantry, multi-head weigher with a 14 head rigidised finish C2 weigher, as well as a Vetta bag maker with rotating crimpers, tape and zip applicators.
Vetta allows easy changeover of bag styles by the operator, rather than engineers, in less than 30 minutes. Many of the bags feature a series of folds that make set up difficult on conventional machinery. This machine meets food industry hygiene requirements, with elimination of flat surfaces and dirt traps, easy access for cleaning and stainless-steel construction.
Grated cheese is being packed in a variety of bag styles, branded and plain, including 2kg pillow packs, 200-220g stand-up Doy style bags with a zip re-close system and 200-220g Easy Pack bags with a tape re-close system.
Managing director and founder of the company, Liz Parkinson, said, “The new line is boosting output and has helped the business to grow by delivering more of our products.
“We were primarily just a slicing company before PFM put the new line in, which has enabled us to expand into grating cheese. Production is flat out so it’s been a good step for us and the business is going from strength to strength and continuing to grow.”