Universal Filling Machine Company

The installation of a twelve head filler from Universal Filling Machines in place of a six head machine, has almost doubled output for CCL Foods. This increase is not just thanks to the higher operating speed but also due to the fact that overall efficiency is higher, since it takes no extra time to make a product change and set the new unit. CCL Foods produces a wide range of salad dressings, sauces and mayonnaise that are marketed under its own Simply Delicious brand, as well as a variety of organic and non-organic own-label products for a number of major supermarkets. The products are filled into a variety of retail containers from 125ml upwards as well as catering packs as large as 3 litres. All the sizes are now being filled on the new Universal Posimatic VH 12 filler and a major advantage of the new machine is the fact it is able to handle the entire range of containers without the need for any change parts. The six head filler CCL Foods was using previously was also supplied by Universal. The machine had proved to be the right choice at the time it was installed and met the company’s requirements for the past five years. However, CCL has experienced considerable growth and eventually it became necessary to increase output to meet customer demand. CCL Foods and Universal Filling Machines worked together to develop a machine that would meet CCL’s present and future needs. Doubling the number of filling heads from six to twelve provided an immediate increase in output from 70 containers a minute up to 120 containers a minute on the smaller sizes. In addition the new machine incorporates a number of developments that help make it easier to set up. These include quick release connections on the pumps and electronic volume adjustment in place of the old manual system. Despite the greater number of filling heads, there are also fewer dials to set on the new machine and in general all parts that require adjustment are more accessible. Norman Wiseman of CCL Foods says the Universal 12 head in-line filler has proven to be the ideal answer to providing an increase in production. The company had considered several alternatives, including a rotary machine, but while this provided the necessary filling speed it lacked the flexibility of the in-line unit, especially on occasions when it is necessary to accommodate up to three product changes a day.