Multivac opens UK innovation centre

The renovations began in January 2023 at the 850m²​ centre, transforming the existing showroom into what is now a brand new innovation centre.

The improved space boasts a dedicated area to run equipment of all sizes for new product development and a temperature-controlled room that allows Multivac’s team to replicate factory environments. This gives Multivac the opportunity to host product trials and understand the optimum conditions for their customers’ products.  

Fully operational processing lines and packaging line integration are on display to demonstrate the equipment’s capabilities and a supermarket area has been added to highlight key trends and innovations, alongside a test kitchen and a meeting space for discussions.

Food Manufacture experienced a full line demonstration on the grand opening of the innovation centre, which included machines capable of high-performance portioning, precise cutting, slicing and packaging (see below video for a taster!).

Among the machines on display were the TX 6 series of Traysealers, W 500 Flowrapper. A more compact range was also on show, which featured the T 255 Traysealers, R 085 Thermoformer and B 425 Vacuum Chamber Machine.

Although Multivac offers a range of single machines, Bernd Hopner Multivac CSO, said the Group is very focused on full lines to offer what he described as “total solutions”​ over simply “enablers”​.

This renovation follows healthy growth for the Group - up 8.7% in the last year. It now covers 182 segments, 14 production sites and serves 165 countries.

Hopner reflected on the Group’s robustness demonstrated by its growth, citing the quick recovery it made following the 2008/9 financial crash and how it has navigated the most recent challenges of our time. “Every crisis brings opportunities if you do the right things at the right time.”​

In terms of a long-term strategy, Multivac will be focusing on NPD and diversification, both in relation to market segments and new regions.