Preparing for the future is the theme of this month's International Travel Catering Association (ITCA) show in Barcelona, and UK packaging equipment manufacturer Packaging Automation will be exhibiting an entry-level manual tray sealer at the show. Catering companies are under pressure as the cost base for meals is reduced, so tight cost-control is needed throughout the production process.

The PA217 tray sealer is a hand-operated machine suitable for sealing film and board lids to pre-formed containers using either reel-fed film or pre-cut lids. It produces consistent seal quality and is a perfect low-cost entry into heat sealing.

The machine is also available to hire, an ideal way to cope with seasonal increases in demand.

Other tray sealing machines are available from Packaging Automation. The semi-automatic PA182 is a popular choice, being a compact and robustly constructed machine which is easily moved from one production area to another.

Redemption Foods in Co Durham is currently using a PA182 to seal soup after securing a new order with Virgin Atlantic. Packaging Automation supplied the machine and tooling in just two weeks.

Packaging Automation can also offer a complete range of volumetric filling and sealing machines.

Packaging Automation 01565 755000