Packserv is Australia’s leading machinery sales, hire and technical services provider for the packaging industry.  Their high-quality packaging machinery range includes machines for filling, capping, labelling, and infeed and outfeed tables.  Packserv occupies a unique position in the manufacturing sector as one of the few remaining Australian manufacturers specialising in the type of niche machinery they offer.  Their customers include food and beverage manufacturers, skincare, cosmetics providers, and pharmaceutical companies.

Packserv was founded with an entrepreneurial mindset, and this continues to guide the business today.  This ethos has been a key ingredient for Packserv in exploring novel ideas and pioneering new applications.  As advocates for Australian manufacturing, their approach centres around gaining deep insights into market trends within the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, including digitisation and sustainability to their impacts on manufacturers. In the wake of the pandemic, Australian manufacturers confronted the sobering reality of dependence on imported goods. The disruptions in international supply chains, coupled with delays in parts procurement, inadequate support and operational downtime, have taken a considerable toll on FMCG manufacturers. Against this backdrop, the imperative for local FMCG manufacturers to increase their competitiveness and operational efficiency has become more important than ever.

Innovation, technology, and digital solutions provided by Packserv are designed to give manufacturers quality digital packaging equipment locally, sustainably, and reliably.  In this way, they are helping solve one of the biggest issues facing the food and grocery sector, which is the vulnerability of overseas supply.  Packserv engages with technology and academic partners to advance its packaging machinery manufacturing as part of its innovation approach.

Packserv launched their new eight-head high-speed liquid filler, meticulously designed, engineered, and constructed at Packserv’s Sydney facility.  This equipment, which caters to businesses of all sizes, represents an industry-first initiative that offers a digitally augmented experience for food manufacturers.  Built-in partnership with the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS), the machine is equipped with real-time remote access capabilities and enables proactive and precise technical support with predictive maintenance capabilities.  Remote repairs minimise downtime, resulting in substantial savings in maintenance costs and resources.

In terms of filler heads, bottom-up fill, gates, speeds, and timings, this machine’s onboard technology reduces the need for the operator to make manual adjustments. Height modifications are made effortlessly through programming via the HMI digital screen. Engineered for complete customisation, this innovative machine can cater to the unique requirements of businesses, accommodating a wide spectrum that spans from SMEs to large-scale manufacturing.

Furthermore, the machine facilitates the alternate filling of containers of various sizes.  The twin-lane access system also accelerates production speed by eliminating the wait for bottle indexation. Fillers can efficiently shift to the secondary lane, effectively doubling production outputs.

The development of this new industry’s first machine has meant that machinery available to the Australian market incorporates technology that will drive efficiencies across the whole FMCG space, which is entirely manufactured and supported within Australia.  By giving small and medium enterprises access to superior Industry 4.0 technology and premium equipment, Packserv aims to empower them to compete on par with their global counterparts, fostering a resurgence of manufacturing on Australian soil.

Collaborating with stakeholders, such as academic institutions, in the development of the equipment, has enabled Packserv to push the envelope of packaging machinery advancement. Such partnerships afford Packserv access to state-of-the-art digital manufacturing software, equipment, and expertise, all without the significant costs associated with staying ahead of technological progress.  They can also contribute to building and nurturing homegrown knowledge and skills within the manufacturing sector.

Customers and the manufacturing industry have received the solution positively as it increases production while utilising a smaller footprint.  Customers have reacted positively to the remote connectivity, predictive maintenance, and ease of use for machine operators with a simple touch screen and closed-loop cleaning capability.

Packserv aims to see Australia develop and continue to grow as a global leader in technology and sustainability within the food manufacturing sector. They see further opportunities to leverage the advancements of Industry 4.0 technology and innovations to drive greater productivity and efficiency.

For information about Packserv Australia, visit packserv.com.au