Packaging Automation Ltd, one of the UK's leading suppliers of tray sealing equipment, is enjoying the fruits of its decision to sign up an Australian agent in 2004.

The company, through its Australian distributor MPI Australia, has announced the supply of two of its PA182 machines to one of Australia's leading fresh produce suppliers the OneHarvest group. The company has purchased the equipment to work on two production lines in its Bairnsdale, Victoria "fresh plant" - one to seal a range of freshcut potatoes, the other an extensive range of freshcut fruit products.

The semiautomatic PA182 offers small to medium volume production capacity. A recent major redesign has resulted in improved operation, efficiency and maintenance - features which impressed the engineers at OneHarvest’s fresh plants, according to Packaging Automation.

“Since launching its Australian marketing campaign after careful research, Packaging Automation has received a growing stream of enquiries from food manufacturers impressed with the flexibility, quality and competitiveness of its equipment,” the company said.

“And with predictions showing the convenience sector in this part of the world set for significant growth, Packaging Automation is well placed to meet demand.”

The OneHarvest group itself is already planning to extend its range of heat sealed freshcut products including increasing its choice of prepared potato products early this year. And within 12 months it hopes to turn its attention to another growth area - ready meals, one of the areas that Packaging Automation has experience of in the UK.

A spokesperson for the OneHarvest group said: "Word of mouth, and talking to overseas producers played an important part in us going to PA with our original potato products. The decision to purchase the second PA machine for our freshcut fruit facility was based on the equipment's reliability and consistent sealing results we were obtaining from the first PA182. The excellent backup service and support from both PA and MPI Australia ensured this was an easy decision to make."

Packaging Automation sales engineer Simon Turner said: "It is hugely encouraging that OneHarvest, one of Australia's leading producers, has selected Packaging Automation equipment. The machines we have supplied are ideal for the current production, and with the planned increase in the products offered in 2005, we are confident that, if required, we will have the perfect packaging solution."