Moy Park weighs and labels

Poultry processor Moy Park has installed five Ishida WPL 5000 weigh price labellers and ordered two more for its factory in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, in one of the first orders for these recently-launched machines in the UK.

The weigh price labellers are working in conjunction with Multivac form, fill and seal machines, labelling top-sealed trays. A top label printing speed of 255mm/s means the machines can easily cope with production throughout.

Nine air cylinder arms ensure accurate placement of each label at high speed. The WPL 5000s are also linked to Herma labellers, which are controlled by the Ishida remote control unit, which can apply additional labels as they are required.

The weigh price labellers are installed in the portions factory at Moy Park, handling a wide variety of pack sizes for leading retailers. Labeller flexibility is, therefore, a major benefit.

"The demands of the retail poultry market are continually changing," explains Tim Forrister, factory manager at Moy Park. "For example, we often have to deal with the introduction of new tray designs, different pack sizes and new product lines. Currently the majority of packs are catch weight but certain lines have remained at fixed weight and a change in the market could see a complete review of weight requirements."

Forrister adds: "With up to six packing lines and two eight hour shifts per day, product changeovers can be as many as 40 on some days. In such circumstances, the ability to save even a few seconds on each changeover can make a significant difference to the efficiency and smooth running of the operation."

Contact: Ishida Europe, Tel: 0121 607 7700​