h year, the show has been recognised as the only UK event that attracts hundreds of machinery manufacturers and component suppliers across a wide range of industries including food, drink, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, dairy, snacks, construction and electronics. Space is selling fast
Planning is well underway with over 80 percent of floor space already sold months in advance. This year, the NEC will welcome over 320 exhibitors from the processing and packaging machinery industry as they gather to present and showcase a wide range of new products and innovative processes to help UK manufacturers improve productivity, efficiency and sustainability.
Demonstrating the future of packaging innovation
Attendees at the NEC in September will be able to view a number of exclusive machinery demonstrations.
Kliklok International, one of the world’s leading packaging machinery manufacturers, will be launching its new Certiwrap ELITE wraparound cartoning system on stand E32 at this year’s PPMA Show. Capable of improving functionality, repeatability and flexibility on the production line thanks to new modular infeeds which help manufacturers adapt to increasingly fast-paced market requirements, the ELITE can be tailored to different pack styles, sizes and formats. It also features a choice of twin or triple arm carton feeders to improve handling and is designed to increase throughput rates on high-speed lines, being capable of packaging at speeds up to 300 cartons per minute dependant on product size.
Neil Fowell, Managing Director of Kliklok International, said: “We are very excited to launch the new Certiwrap ELITE at the PPMA Show. ELITE joins our portfolio of wrap-around cartoning solutions that have been successfully tried and tested by packaging professionals across global manufacturing industries. It is designed as an evolution of the previous models and combines our engineering expertise gained over the last 50 years and drive for innovation to create a wrap-around cartoner that stays at the forefront of carton and product control while simplifying the set up process for manufacturers.”
Award-winning end-of-line automation specialist Endoline Machinery will address the need for packing speed and flexibility with the launch of their latest SMART machines – including the UK debut of the 744 Fully Automatic Random Case Sealer on stand D30, believed to be the fastest of its type in the world.
“We are expecting to see a marked increase in interest at the PPMA Show this year for flexible, high speed machinery from a growing number of manufacturers,” said Alan Yates, Managing Director for Endoline Machinery. “At the recent Interpack Show we received over 450 leads from food manufacturers and we are looking forward to continuing that momentum at the PPMA show which pulls in the most influential UK decision makers.”
Attendees can also pop along to stand C30 to see Holmach Ltd’s new whip tool, AeroQbo, and its refining tools, Bilia for the universal processing system, Qbo. Capable of vacuum and/or pressure cooking, these machines can cool, mix, concentrate and refine food all in a single cycle with touch screen controls and recipe storage. A 15-litre vessel will be available for demonstrations throughout the three-day show.
Also exhibiting as part of Holmach’s stand, Revtech Process Systems, specialists of heat treatment for dry ingredients, chemical bulk solids and powers, will offer attendees a chance to view demonstrations of its unique patented spiral vibratory technology used to pasteurise, toast and roast grains, cereals, seeds and nuts.
Interactive demonstrations will also be available over on stand B40 where Olympus Automation will demonstrate its Steam Infusion™ technology, a new low-risk cooking process that heats, mixes and cooks liquid based food products quickly and efficiently.
Finally, Pacepacker Services, the award winning automation expert, will be showcasing the widest range of pick and place solutions on the market on stand C50. Six different pick and place systems will demonstrate the innovative ways to handle a variety of unpackaged and packaged FMCG goods. As well as Pacepacker’s own equipment, robot technology from FANUC and Festo will also be on show.
Speakers under the spotlight at PPMA Show 2014
Several high-profile seminar speakers have already been announced, including former cabinet minister, politician and journalist Michael Portillo who will provide this year’s opening address and discuss the resurgence of British manufacturing and its role in rebalancing the economy.
Following his address, which takes place at 10:15am, Mr Portillo will take to the show’s floor to speak with exhibitors and further discuss the points covered in his address.
Also announced for the opening day of the exhibition, Christine Tacon, the Government’s first appointed supermarket ombudsman is set to steal the spotlight with a combative talk on the UK’s leading supermarkets. The seminar session, which begins at 11am, will not only shine a light on Christine’s work with the UK’s largest supermarkets but demonstrate her aim to work with associations like the PPMA to help encourage feedback from suppliers, whether it’s personal, anonymous or through a trade association.
Grant Collier, Head of Marketing for the PPMA Group, said: “After surveying the 367 manufacturers that took part in the government’s Automating Manufacturing Programme there is clear evidence that the reluctance to adopt new technologies, like automation is in part driven by endless squeezing of supplier margins by the major multiple retailers. The Adjudicator’s actions to remove trading practices will hopefully help to change this culture and encourage much-needed investment in automation for the UK’s food industry – the largest manufacturing sector in the UK.
“Christine has taken on a huge responsibility dealing directly with the supermarkets and we have no doubt this will be beneficial to PPMA members.”
Further speakers for the 2014 PPMA seminar programme include Craig Mochrie from Morrison Bowmore and Martin Dallas, from Essentra Packaging who join the line-up on the first day to deliver exclusive presentations on real time management information systems and creative packaging technologies. On the second day, Ian Barnett from Coca-Cola Enterprises and Kevin Vyse from Marks and Spencer will talk about sustainability and consumer packaging.
Finally, attendees visiting the show on the last day can join Peter Hooper from Wykes Farms who will explain how to optimise automation investments in the food and drink industry, while Mark Elderkin from The Good Whey Company, will speak about the role packaging plays in supporting brand proposition.
Speaking about his involvement at the PPMA Show, Kevin Vyse said: “The PPMA Show brings leading experts from across the manufacturing sector together to discuss the latest issues impacting the industry. I’m very much looking forward to taking to the stage in the seminar theatre to talk about the evolution of consumer packaging and I do hope that my presentation sparks a healthy debate amongst attendees at the NEC.”
Recognising and awarding excellence
The PPMA Show 2014 will also take the opportunity to once again recognise the best and brightest up-and-coming talent in the industry with the return of the Ones to Watch competition.
The Ones to Watch is a search for the industry’s brightest young processing and packaging professional, judged on entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to the industry.
Grant Collier added: “The Ones to Watch awards is a great opportunity to recognise and encourage young engineers within the industry. We can’t wait to see the calibre of this year’s nominations. We encourage all businesses to nominate their young ‘rising stars’ that are really making a difference to the industry, today and in the future.”
Richard Little, Chairman for the PPMA Group, added: “For over 25 years the PPMA show has brought together buyers and sellers at one of the most visually dynamic exhibitions of the very latest processing and packaging innovations. My company, Jenton International, has exhibited and substantially benefited from every PPMA show since its inception in 1988, so I’m talking from experience when I say it’s a great forum in which to meet the industry, see both existing and new customers, develop relationships and carry out business. I very much look forward to welcoming visitors to the PPMA Show 2014.”
Taking place 30 Sept – 2 October 2014, this year will see the event return to the sole ownership and management of the PPMA Group of trade associations. Lloyds TSB is the headline sponsor of the PPMA Show 2014.
