Packaging Automation Ltd, market leaders in the design and manufacture of tray sealing equipment, has just supplied its third machine to Soleco UK Ltd, the pre-prepared salad and vegetable specialist.

After purchasing two of Packaging Automation's Vision 4000 tray sealing machines, Soleco - best known for its Florette brand of salads - has now bought a Vision 182.

The machine has been designed to cope with much deeper pots than normal, and with the capability to apply a seal to both top and bottom. The compact, in-line machine which heat seals reel fed film lids to preformed containers and trays, offers quick tool changes, an easy-to-use touch screen and stainless steel construction.

Soleco line manager Francois Cheron explained: “We were launching a new line, a steamer pot of vegetables in a container which is a little taller than the ones we usually use and which has two seals rather than one. So our needs were quite specific but we had experience of what Packaging Automation could do and were confident in their ability to deliver.”

Now the Vision 182 is turning out steamer pots by the thousand destined for the UK's leading retailers including Tesco and Booths.

Cheron is a fan. He added: “Like the Vision 4000, the Vision 182 is a well-built and solid machine which is very easy to maintain, more so than the competition from what I have seen.”

“Because it is working in a cold and wet environment, an aggressive environment, it has to be easy to clean - and it is. And in dealing with PA we find that they always listen so that they understand our needs - and that's very important to us.”

The Vision 182 can be equipped with a variable length chain conveyor, tray denesters, autofillers and labellers to facilitate a wide range of applications.

Packaging Automation's sales engineer Simon Turner said. “We worked very closely with Soleco on the development of the new pot and were able to source the right kind of film for it. The Vision 182 is a very popular machine with many customers who need a compact, easy to use machine which gives a consistent high quality seal. We were determined to make sure everything was just right for Soleco - just as we would do for any of our customers.”