Coffee manufacturer doubles productivity with VFFS baggers

US coffee manufacturer Apfells Fine Coffees has been able to boost productivity, improve set-up times and reduce its environmental impact with the installation of the tna robag vertical form fill and seal (VFFS) baggers. The systems, which bag coffee, cocoa and a range of other powders, have been integrated into Apfells’ existing production process to deliver high performance at low maintenance.

Since its establishment in 1914, Apfells has built a strong customer base in Southern California. Recently, the company relocated to new premises and used this move to audit its systems technology, upgrade equipment, streamline operations and boost productivity by doubling bagging rates to 100-120 bags/min. The coffee manufacturer required a turnkey solution but, as it was not replacing all of its packaging equipment, any new additions had to work alongside current machinery. It turned to tna and installed the robag bagger.

The bagger delivers complete flexibility and maximises outputs. It also enables manufacturers to reduce waste while ensuring the required accuracy. To achieve optimum results for Apfells, tna recommended the integration of the tna robag with Spee-Dee’s cup and augur fillers, as well as a valve applicator. These dry product filling systems reduce unnecessary waste in dry-fill packaging operations which use automatic equipment such as baggers.

Since the installation of this new equipment Apfells has recognised clear advantages. Apfells’ CEO, Darryl Blunck, comments: “The tna robag has provided us with significant time and cost savings - crucial benefits in today’s challenging economic climate. We’ve boosted our bagging rate from 40 to 50 per minute to between 100 and 120 bags per minute. In addition, we have been able to reduce the amount of wasted bags caused by machine errors - enabling us to lower our environmental impact as well as providing significant financial savings.

“The tna robag’s unique design also allows us to switch between products, such as coffee, tea and pancake mixes, quickly and easily, improving our set-up times by up to 90%.

“Importantly, tna’s robag fitted seamlessly into our existing processes, causing minimum upheaval and enabling us to maintain production. tna’s team of specialists were also on hand to support us every step of the way, offering help and advice on the most suitable solution to meet our needs. tna’s systems will be key in maintaining our productivity in the future.”