In order to respond even more flexibly to customers’ wishes, SternMaid has invested in a Doypack line. From now on, the contract manufacturer and co-packing service provider will be able to pack end products in ready-made stand-up pouches with or without a zipper and three- or four-edge seal bags. Up to 40 bags per minute can be filled with dry beverage bases, superfoods, powdered dietetic drinks or products for athletes. 

Doypack pouches are becoming increasingly popular because of their practical re-closure mechanism. SternMaid’s customers appreciate the large opening, the zipper and the secure stand of the pouches on the shelves in spite of the sparing use of packaging material. Moreover, with their wide facing, Doypacks are quickly noticed by potential buyers in the point-of-sale display. As an option, a measuring spoon can be applied to the pouch after filling. With this machine, SternMaid can fill ready-made pouches with a width of 150 mm to 340 mm, a length of up to 425 mm and a capacity of 100 to 3,500 grams. They are taken out of the feed container by a gripper, then opened by a vacuum suction device, coded by an inkjet and filled by means of a screw-fed dosing unit. Following this, a suction hood removes the product dust that may be caused by the air expeller for the seal, that ensures tight closure of the seam. After this tamper-evident safety sealing, the seam, which is still warm, is cooled and the zipper closed. 

Mark Riemer, Commercial Manager of SternMaid said: “As a provider of co-packing services we are constantly widening our range of retail packs to include new sizes and types of packaging. When planning our filling lines we deliberately decided on a modular system in which each unit can be integrated into any packaging line. That ensures us maximum flexibility, for the compatible individual elements make it possible to change products quickly and safely.” 

When Plant 2 is completed at the end of 2017, the Doypack line will move into the new building in which all the retail items in SternMaid’s range will in future be produced.