AKW steams ahead with sleeving investment

Photo: High-spec investment - AKW's new steam sleeving  machine in action  

Nov 2011 

AKW has demonstrated its intention to be recognised as one of the contract packing market's leading players by investing £150,000 in the highest specification steam sleeving machinery in theUK.

The Manchester-based company, which is traditionally known for its transport solutions, has been building up its contract packing business for the last five years and today boasts a technically driven service that works with a host of world-renowned names, amongst them L'Oreal, P&G, Diageo, Unilever, Kelloggs and Heinz.

ebecca Davies, a director of AKW Group PLC and head of its contract packing division, said: "Our aim is simple - we want AKW to be renowned for its contract packing capabilities and this latest investment shows just how seriously we are taking this challenge."

The new steam sleeving machine comprises a RF150 sleeve applicator and Graham's steam shrink tunnel, which is powered by a Certuss steam generator. It is capable of applying 150 sleeves per minute, which enables AKW to add  high speed, cost effective and high quality sleeving to it product range.

The machine also features

- a pitching device for automatic collation of twin packs

- motion sensors that count products in and out and trigger an auto stop function, which includes both visible and audible alarms, in case one does not complete the full cycle - this is a key safety aspect when sleeving aerosols

- a magnetic puck system for small and / or shallow products that ensures they enter and stay in the correct position throughout the cycle

- a large tunnel that ensures it can handle  a variety of products

The machine's full cycle includes a Secomak Turbo Air Knife Drying system, which ensures products are dry enough to be immediately packed into whatever end packaging format is required. 

"As with everything we invest in, we only want the very best and this machinery fills that criteria with ease," continued Rebecca. "It allows us not just to add steam sleeving to our services, but add the very best steam sleeving service in the market to our offering."

AKW's facilities include 500,000 square ft of warehouse space, over 100 lorries and access to a further 1,500 through Partnerlink.

"We have the contract packing expertise, the facilities and financial stability of a 3PL business, and the ethos and work practices of a family business. As such, our appeal is extremely broad, meaning we can compete with, and win business from, everyone from stand-alone co-packers through to the 3PL companies," she concluded." 

Client: Strategic Packaging