Here is the updated blog post, written from the perspective of Andrew Murphy using UK English and featuring the specific machinery available at Record Packaging.
Since joining Record Packaging back in 2018, I’ve spent a lot of time under the hood of these machines—literally. From my early days dismantling and fixing flow wrappers in our Manchester headquarters to now leading our expansion into the Irish market, I’ve seen how the right technology can transform a business.
In today’s market, food producers are facing a “perfect storm” of labour shortages, rising material costs, and strict sustainability targets. Efficiency isn’t just a goal anymore; it’s a necessity.
Based on my years in the workshop and out in the field, here are my top 10 machine recommendations for any food producer looking to streamline their operations.
1. Box Motion Flow Wrapping Machines
If you’ve spoken to me recently, you’ll know I’m a huge advocate for box motion. Unlike standard rotary wrappers, the “box” movement of the sealing head allows for much longer dwell times. This is the gold standard for achieving gas-tight seals on products like fresh meat or cheese, ensuring a much longer shelf life.
2. Standard Flow Wrappers
The “all-rounder” of the packaging world. Whether we’re setting these up for bakery items or fresh produce, our flow wrappers are built for speed and reliability. If you need high-volume output with a clean, professional finish, this is where most of our clients start.
3. Vertical Form Fill Seal (VFFS)
When floor space is at a premium, VFFS is the answer. I’ve helped install these for everything from frozen veg to confectionery. They form the bag, fill it, and seal it all in one vertical drop, making them incredibly efficient for loose or granular products.
4. Tray Sealers
We’ve seen a massive surge in demand for tray sealing, particularly in the ready-meal and “grab-and-go” sectors. These machines provide a secure, leak-proof seal that is essential for food safety and presentation on supermarket shelves.
5. Pouch Packing Machines
Consumer habits are shifting toward stand-up pouches. They look great and often use less plastic than rigid tubs. Our pouch packing lines are designed to handle these modern formats with ease, giving your product a premium edge.
6. Thermoforming
For our high-volume clients—especially in the deli and meat sectors—thermoforming is a game changer. The machine creates the packaging “on the fly” from film, which is incredibly cost-effective for large-scale production runs.
7. Vacuum Packing
Simple, effective, and indispensable. By removing oxygen, these machines stop spoilage in its tracks. I always recommend these for our specialist butchers and seafood processors who need to maintain that “day-one” freshness.
8. Multihead Weighers
One of the biggest “hidden” costs in food packaging is product giveaway. If you’re overfilling by just a few grams per pack, it adds up to thousands of pounds over a year. Our multihead weighers offer the precision needed to keep your margins where they should be.
9. Sachet Packing
From sauce samples to sugar sticks, sachet packing requires high speed and high accuracy. We provide compact, reliable solutions that allow producers to tap into the single-serve and hospitality markets.
10. Case Packers
I often tell my clients that there’s no point having a lightning-fast wrapper if your staff can’t pack the boxes fast enough at the end of the line. Case packers automate the final hurdle, ensuring your product is pallet-ready without the need for manual labour.
My Final Thought
“In over five years of leading our expansion and working hands-on with these systems, I’ve seen first-hand how the right machinery doesn’t just package a product—it protects the brand’s integrity and significantly boosts the bottom line through sheer efficiency.”
If you’re unsure which of these machines is right for your specific product, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always happy to discuss how we can help you scale up.
