Lancashire Pet food business, Pets Choice, has made a substantial investment in an automated dog food packaging machine for its new 65,000 sq ft manufacturing facility.
The Blackburn-based business, which owns brands including Webbox, TastyBone and Meatiful, is able to pack 300 chub rolls per minute with the new machine.
Designed and manufactured according to Pets Choices’ exact specifications by UK automation specialist Sewtec, the machine uses robotics and sensor-based technology to detect multiple flavours and product colours then sorts them into variety boxes.
Pets Choice operations director, Peter Birch, said: “We have a successful strategy for the company demonstrated by the continued sales growth across our brands. As we have expanded further with our new facility, it is vital we utilise the very best automated systems to enhance our manufacturing processes.
“We appointed Sewtec due to the company’s outstanding track record in delivering bespoke automated solutions for the pet food industry and global food and drink producers. Our machine will deliver enhanced efficiencies, allowing us to operate faster and more effectively than ever before. We look forward to putting the technology into action in our new factory in early 2019.”
Sewtec is located in Dewsbury and also counts Pedigree amongst its customers. The company has considerable experience in the pet food sector having previously designed and built machines for the production of tins, pouches, chubs and chews.
Sewtec sales director, Paul Johnson, commented: “Pets Choice is a fast-growing, ambitious business. We are very pleased to have been able to work with Peter and his team to design a system that will significantly improve the packaging process and underpin the company’s ongoing expansion plans.”
