Natacha Traen, Marketing Manager of Pattyn, says that they are present all over the world with their well-known bag placing machine. "We approach various sectors including the fruit and vegetable sector. This target group is getting more important for Pattyn all the time. The concept of the 'bag-in box' was unique in 1976, but is still very popular to-day. It is a machine which produces a bag from a roll of foil and places this bag automatically in a box or crate. The bag placing machine is our basic business. Also in the course of the years we started building complete solutions from constructing the box to the machine closing the box. The whole process with the complete line is shown on the photograph. Therefore we can offer our clients a complete solution, but also perfectly integrate separate parts. To offer a complete line is our strength. There are more suppliers of bag placing machines, but we are unique in that we supply of a complete solution."
Increasing demand in the processed fruit and vegetable sector
"It is really a niche market we are in," Natacha continues. "We have buyers in various branches. Our clients in the fruit and vegetable sector are in the processing industry, such as frozen and fresh vegetables or dried fruit or raisins for instance.
Also we do a lot in the nut sector. It is striking, that in the fruit and vegetable sector they often use lower crates and boxes and we have therefore adjusted our machines correctly. We notice that there is more demand for packings in the fruit and vegetable sector, both industrial bulk packings and retail packings. Examples of new clients in the fruit and vegetable sector are, amongst others, a carrot processor, a potato producer, a producer of fresh fruit and a processor of bananas. We were this year for the second time at the Fruit Logistica and there is potential in this sector. Clients choose the automatic bag placing machine, because it is hygienic without human contact with the bag and the box. Because the bag-in-box packing the products are also protected as they are not in contact with the box or the crate. We create a standard total solution for each market and for each client we can still add options to the line. That differs from sector to sector. As far as fruit and vegetables are concerned much can be packed in bulk packing as long as the products are not delicate. On the one site it is a threat for us that in this sector there is a demand as well for smaller convenience packs, but we nevertheless see a good opportunity for growth."
Difference in capacity
She mentions, that they look at the specific requirements of the client. "The Flexim is suitable for companies, which want large volumes in the box quickly. The capacity goes to 20 boxes/minute. At the ZIM that is slightly less than half of this. This machine is very compact and easy to use. The advantage of the ZIM is that this machine can change the roll automatically and therefore the process will continue.
Pattyn Packing Lines is represented in many countries in Europe. We have in addition agents in various other parts of the world. "Worldwide we then speak about 30 agents" Natacha tells. "The products and the complete lines are developed in Bruges, assembled completely and tested before shipment. We present our new products in various ways. The ZIM-11 is so compact that by means of a roadshow we presented it to our clients in 2011 and 2012. The effect of this was enormous!"
