MULTIVAC Sepp Haggenmüller SE & Co. KG
sp portrait: From the Allgäu region into the world
The family-owned Multivac company boasts a 50-year track record in the packaging sector. The success of the global leader in packaging solutions is based on innovative, top-tier engineering, profound know-how in products, automation and lines, and many years of business experience.
Using resources sparingly is a matter of corporate identity for the multicorporate enterprise with its principal office in the town of Wolfertschwenden. This is a key criterion in the development of packaging solutions, because innovative technologies can help curb the consumption of packaging materials, energy and cooling water while at the same time increasing efficiency and machine uptimes.
It all started in 1961. In a small garage, the company founder Sepp Haggenmüller conceived the first vacuum chamber machine for the packaging of food in plastic bags, which for the time was a trailblazing effort. The first thermoformer was produced as early as in 1967. Its basic concept is still used in modern types, although it was systematically developed further in the years that followed. In 1992, the first systems substituting aluminium for stainless steel were rolled out. 2006 finally saw the launch of the latest generation with the Multivac Hygienic Design™,
another trailblazing product in terms of cleanability, process safety, and efficiency. In 2017, Multivac sets new industry-wide standards with the next generation of machines ”X-line” especially in terms of sensor systems, ease of use and digitalisation. It singlehandedly redefined thermoforming technology.
Multivac routinely delivers pioneering solutions that raise eyebrows
In the tray sealer segment, the development of the first semi-automatic tray sealer for the wrapping of food on prefabricated trays is an important milestone in 1984. About ten years later Multivac extends its range of products with automatic tray sealers, which are a critical part of the company's portfolio today. The high-performance G 700 model conceived in 2017 was designed for the packaging of foodstuffs of all types, including but not limited to trendy instant meals, snacks, and fresh-cut products. Its innovative gassing system makes it ideal for packaging of vulnerable, crumbly products and foodstuffs that are filled hot. That's because the G 700 flushes the trays with gas to create modified-atmosphere packs, foregoing the evacuation step. This takes the ”bite” out of the packaging process so that it can handle bakery, confectionery or crumbed products amongst other things.
However, Multivac has not only endeavoured to expand its product range but also its different business divisions and internationalisation. The first step was made in 1992 by the French subsidiary. At present, Multivac is a cross-continent player with more than 80 subsidiaries and 1,000 consultants and service technicians delivering maximum machine uptimes. The group of companies has 1,900 employees at its principal office in Wolfertschwenden and a total of 5,200 at the group level.
In 1993, Multivac adds powerful labelling solutions, thermal transfer on-line printers and inspection systems to its existing portfolio. In 2005, Multivac launches a high-capacity resale & service centre for pre-owned equipment, overhauls and refits in the European market. The Systems business division, tasked with developing customised solutions for the automation of packaging processes gets off the ground two years later, rounded out in 2008 by the business division MCP (Medical Devices, Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals). This is a highly dedicated division delivering solutions for the automated GMP-compliant packaging of medical, pharmaceutical and biotech products. Early 2013 sees the Multivac Training & Innovation Center (TIC) in Wolfertschwenden embarking on the road to success. The objective: providing competent, independent consultation in all packing material and application-related questions and realising packaging ideas in the form of prototypes and small-scale series.
Efficient, bespoke packaging solutions for bakery products, cakes and sweets
Today, the Multivac range of products covers nearly all processing requirements on packaging layout, performance and resource efficiency. The offering is complemented by various upstream slicing and processing solutions Key strategic undertakings include the recent takeover of the majority stakes in TVI Produktion und Entwicklung GmbH and the acquisition of VC999‘s slicing division. This enabled Multivac to provide entire packaging lines for cut and sliced products from one source. In addition to the tray sealer G 700, Multivac also delivers efficient thermoformer-based packaging solutions specifically designed for the packaging of bread, bakery products, cakes, pastries, and confectioneries. Models of various sizes and capacity that come equipped with an inert gas unit, are particularly useful here.
A gas mixer provides precise control of the multi-component inert gas atmosphere. Advantages of the thermoforming process include reduced consumption of inert gas and the option to use barrier film to control the in-pack atmosphere. Easy filling of the pack from the top is another benefit, especially for cut or smaller products. Furthermore, the company group provides large-batch packaging solutions in the form of fully automated thermoforming systems with specific handling modules for feeding and withdrawal. Incorporating additional features such as inline labelling and quality checking capabilities has helped to fulfil all statutory requirements and consumer expectations with respect to food safety.
On top of that, Multivac offers different chamber machines. The table chamber machine G 200 for instance is extremely versatile due to its compact dimensions and convinces in professional continuous operation by the packaging quality it delivers. The flexible floor-mounted unit
C 300 ensures efficient production of high-class vacuum, shrink and MAP wrapping. The Baseline series double-chamber machine P 600 is perfect for large batch packaging. The hugely efficient appliance can be retrofitted with a gassing module, which allows even inexperienced operators to wrap confectionery products safely and efficiently. •
