ULMA Packaging conveys the perfect automated solution for Border Biscuits

The renowned family-owned biscuit manufacturer, which produces over 300,000 packets of biscuits a week at its Lanark factory, invested in ULMA’s row distribution system to help meet the demand for its popular range of mixed variety products for wholesalers and caterers.

Border Biscuits chose ULMA over three of its competitors to install a packaging line including two Atlanta Hi-tech flowrappers with Dakota infeed units, where products are sorted one on top of the other to achieve twin packs at speeds of up to 150 per minute.

After going through the packaging process, ULMA is also responsible for the automated box management system. This system consists of two cardboard box forming machines, conveying them to the case packers where packed product is boxed to finally close automatically by two closing systems.
This twin case opening and loading systems, supplied by ULMA, counts required packs accuratelly and it’s automatically adapted to the existing different box formats. This flexible system is well suited to the different boxes the customer works with.

This totally automated system installed by ULMA replaces Border Biscuits’ semi-manual packaging loading operation, doubling the output of its top-selling range of own brand products destined for its food service customers.
All the automated installation has been designed for a continuous process where a stop in a line does not affect to the biscuit manufacturing. The installation consists of a buffer and speed control system which guarantees a non-stop production. ULMA’s centralized control system manages and monitors all the production.

Border Biscuits’ Chief Operating Officer, Dee Scott, said: “This was the largest and most complex project we had ever undertaken. ULMA was very professional and fully focused on what we wanted to achieve, which was very important to us. We pride ourselves on the very high standards of our products and we expect the same high standard and commitment from our suppliers.

“We had not worked with ULMA before but we are delighted with the outcome. It was the perfect partnership – in fact I look forward to further collaborations with ULMA. Nothing was too much trouble for them, from testing the equipment in Spain to installation. The flow wrapping machines are performing very well and provide the accuracy and consistency of packaging that matches the exceptional high quality of our biscuits. I would certainly recommend ULMA to other businesses.”  

The Atlanta Hi-tech is ideal for improving efficiencies for bakeries. It is packed with technology which includes as standard the ‘no product, no bag’ feature, misplaced product detection and remote line monitoring and data capture. Designed for the most demanding applications the machine can be installed as part of an automatic packing line or as a standalone manual feeding solution.

Retailers are demanding that food suppliers not only have packaging systems in place that protect the integrity of goods and offer excellent presentation, but can also accelerate the process of getting them to stores as well as prolong shelf life, which is what ULMA has been able to deliver.

ULMA is a major provider of flow wrapping equipment and complete automated lines for a wide variety of food sectors from biscuits and cereal bars to cakes, bread rolls, morning goods and snacks. It offers product handling and grouping to packaging, cartoning, boxing and crating, whether for small or medium-sized operations, or high volume production levels.

Innovative flow wrapping technology – backed up by complete spares and service support – offers bakers equipment that is highly productive and efficient to meet the growing demand from retailers for speed to market.