UK packager aims for snack market

Ulma Packaging, one of the UK's leading manufacturers of wrapping machines, will be among the top exhibitors at a showcase designed to promote all that is best in the fast-growing sandwich and snack market.

Ulma​ will be exhibiting its state-of-the-art Florida flow wrapping machine at the Total Sandwich Show, at the National Hall of London's Olympia on May 7 and 8.

On display will be all kinds of machinery and equipment to appeal to those involved in production, packing and sales of a wide range of sandwich and snack products. Ulma UK's managing director Derek Paterson feels that, in the wake of the Spanish parent company's decision to launch an in-house UK operation after years of reliance on a distributor network, the opportunity it too good to miss.

He said: "All that is best in sandwich making will be represented and we are among the best at what we do. So we have to have a presence, and in the Florida we think we have a winner. We want it to have exposure to as many people in the business as possible and anybody who is anybody in the field will be flocking to the Total Sandwich Show."​

The Florida is part of a range of wrapping product currently on offer from Ulma. The range encompasses the entry level Florida flowrapper, through to the Atlanta HiTec - all electronic flowrapper machines.

Equally Ulma has an impressive range of thermoforming machines for sandwich packing - in particular the TF plus, the entry level medium volume machine. Ulma says that sales of this machine are now starting to gather pace as the system is seen as an ideal replacement for the traditional tray sealing solutions, where unit costs are a strong consideration in this price conscious sector.

Sandwiches and associated snacks are one of the major growth sectors of the food industry, a market that companies such as Ulma are currently competing to win increase of.

Paterson said: 'It is to fulfil our desire to compete in a tough marketplace that we have launched the Florida. It is a three-version horizontal form fill and seal flow pack machine, designed to cope with a multitude of applications. It is equally at home whether it is dealing with a traditional shaped sandwich or with baguettes of differing sizes. In fact, its adaptability and flexibility are among its major plus points.''​

It will be of particular appeal to those sandwich outlets with small to medium size production requirements. One of the three versions of the Florida has been designed purely with bakeries in mind. Its features include intermittent operation with intermittent cross seal jaws and infeed belt. Its bag length can be regulated to fit the product and it is at home using a variety of films.

Paterson said: ''These days it seems almost every bakery, from the family-run enterprise to the big multiples is heavily into sandwich and snack production. We feel sure the Florida will appeal to a wide cross-section and we invite them to visit our stand at the sandwich show where our team will be ready to help.''​

Established in 1956 in Onati, Northern Spain, Ulma Packaging has grown into a group, with subsidiaries in 14 countries throughout the world. With over 400 employees, the company offers a range of solutions for packaging requirements in the food and non-food sectors.