Acquisition expands provider’s range of wrapping solutions

Acquiring Finnish stretch-wrapping machine manufacturer Octomeca in 2018 has allowed Switzerland-based packaging supplier FROMM Packaging Systems to expand its product offering to the packaging industry. 

Octomeca offers horizontal and vertical film-wrapping solutions, which enable the company to wrap packaging with or without pallets.

“We believe that, with this move and other investments in the field of automatic machines, FROMM can strengthen its position as the partner for end-of-line solutions,” says FROMM Packaging Systems SA automatic systems manager Tony Lowther.

FROMM Packaging Systems is part of the FROMM Group.

FROMM Packaging Systems is committed to sustainability across the complete life cycle of a product – this ranges from the environmentally sound use of resources and not using materials that are damaging to the environment or people’s health, to the efficient use of transport and reducing direct and indirect carbon emissions, explains Lowther.

All products are made of or comprise durable materials that can be easily disassembled and recycled in separate special recycling streams. Their design is also reflected in the low maintenance requirements and limited use of lubricants, he adds.

All FROMM products are designed for reuse and/or reclaiming and reprocessing, or can be used as high-energy, low-emission fuel for waste incineration processes.

For example, returned used polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles are converted at the FROMM recycling plants to high-quality regrinds, regranulates and agglomerates for the production of PET straps, food packaging, textiles and beverage bottles.

Further, FROMM Packaging Systems SA MD Denny Reddy adds that the company’s production facilities are working towards zero waste to landfill. Film and strap waste, generated during production, is recovered in a closed-cycle production, recycled and reprocessed in the production process.

Such commitment to low environmental impact even extends to the tools and machines, which are designed for long service life and low energy consumption.

During wrapping, only high-quality materials, which are easy to disassemble and/or recycle, with low-wear efficient components, are used, making energy savings of up to 25% feasible, says Reddy.

“In addition to our innovative technologies, manufacturing processes and industry-leading products, we attach great importance to quality and sustainability in our sponsorships and invest in our employees as our greatest asset.”

Packaging Solutions

FROMM Packaging Systems offers a range of automated strapping solutions for every product, be it modular build or individually adapted to customer specification.

“FROMM offers no fewer than nine different strapping heads for steel and plastic strapping. These heads come with or without a seal, depending on the client’s needs, and include spot welding for steel strapping. These heads are also suited for wrapping flat or round/irregular packages.”

The nine strapping heads range from a 12 mm strap up to a 32 mm strap with the thickness of the heads ranging from a 0.6 mm up to a 1.3 mm strap.

FROMM Packaging Systems caters to a range of industries, including the timber, steel, and concrete and paving stone sectors.

“Advanced industrial design and high-quality standards enable FROMM strapping heads and strap dispensers to withstand the toughest conditions. They also fit perfectly into any existing operation,” says Lowther.

Moreover, the OMC-V2000 vertical ring wrapping machine offers the South African manufacturing industry a robust, automatic vertical spiral or band wrapping solution for application with or without pallets, says Reddy.

“The OMC-V2000 machine is indicative of FROMM’s innovative approach to ensuring the highest possible level of product protection and load securing, combined with a user- and ergonomically-friendly operation.”

Designed for ease of use and enhanced load stability, the modular machine automatically secures loads with a 25-cm-wide power prestretch film. In addition, the film carriage provides the ability to rope the film to a film band of about 1 cm wide, thereby creating a strong, elastic, low-density polyethylene film band.

Providing fast and reliable application of the film bands, the FROMM OMC-V2000 allows for bands to be placed independently or to create cross-connections between several bands to secure load stabilisation during transport and storage.

Reddy adds that it is suitable for a variety of products and can handle pack sizes of between 40 cm and 120 cm in height, as well as unlimited, multiple pack lengths.

“The flexibility provided by our packaging products and equipment enables FROMM to consistently meet client requirements with a customised solution.”

FROMM provides the full range of strapping systems, from hand systems (strapping tools) to fully automatic strapping machines, with full-service support on all of its equipment over the complete product life cycle.