Page 90 - Food&Drink Magazine November-December 2021

MEMBER NEWS
Food processing and packaging solutions specialist tna Solutions has unveiled its new robag 3e vertical form, fill and seal (VFFS) system, which can deliver up to 250 bags per minute (bpm) with wastage as low as 0.1 per cent.
According to Alf Taylor, managing director and CEO at tna, the “fast, simple and flexible” new tna robag 3e VFFS packaging solution features integrated control and a refined design for easy control and maintenance on-the-go.
“[The tna Robag 3e] incorporates unparalleled diagnostics for electrical components, streamlines the cable architecture and is assembled with fewer parts than its predecessors,” he said.
Featuring EtherCAT real-time protocol and an
KRONES RANKED AMONG CHAMPIONS OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
integrated display controller system, the new system reduces cabling infrastructure by 20 per cent to enable easier servicing and lower total installed costs.
The new system shares common core components with tna roflo distribution conveyors and the tna intelli-flav seasoning system, reducing the need for additional spare parts stocking.
The robag3E can produce a variety of products at speeds of up to 250 bpm, and delivers efficiency and energy savings throughout its lifetime, resulting in a more sustainable packaging operation.
Equipped with smart diagnostics and remote connectivity, the tna robag 3e also offers real-time communication and status updates for faster global servicing support.
ANDREW
MARSHALL
JOINS
FOODMACH
Food and beverage
engineering expert
Andrew Marshall,
whose career to date includes stints at major players like Asahi, CUB and Lion, has joined packaging machinery manufacturer and automation integrator Foodmach as senior project manager.
With over 30 years’ experience in project management, operations and engineering in the food, beverage and dairy sectors, Marshall brings a new level of structured execution to Foodmach’s delivery of turnkey packaging lines.
“I’ve worked with Foodmach as a customer many times on a range of complex and often challenging projects, and admire their integrity and commitment to deliver on their promises even when projects are derailed,” said Marshall.
“The company has a culture of empathy for both the people it employs and the people it serves, and a focus on continual improvement.
“It was not a hard decision to join the team. I’m excited about the challenges of working with Foodmach’s customers to ensure their manufacturing capabilities meet future-state needs.”
Marshall’s previous roles within the industry include as programme manager for Lion Dairy and Drinks, national engineering development manager for Asahi, and national packaging capability manager for Carlton & United Breweries.
“Having worked on the client-side of the business, Andrew knows exactly how to deliver large capital works programs and lean manufacturing methodologies. We are delighted and honoured to have him on board,” said Earle Roberts, Foodmach CEO.
TNA UNVEILS NEW LOW WASTAGE VFFS SYSTEM
Digital transformation often poses major challenges because existing business models and working methods are put to the test – within a very short timeframe at that, since digitalisation is advancing apace.
A recent study in Germany, by strategy and management consultants Infront Consulting and Capital business magazine, examined a total of 127 large enterprises from eight sectors in a study, tracking how far the firms have come in terms of digital transformation. Evaluation covered areas like organisation, culture, staff, innovation, data and customer experience.
Krones came second in the Mechanical Engineering category, thus ranking it among the champions of digital transformation. Digitalisation is one of the top priorities at Krones and has for years been a constituent part of its corporate strategy. More than 300 software engineers and IT specialists are working on digital innovations, with their number currently being increased. In organisational and strategic terms, digitalisation
falls in the remit of Markus Tischer, member of the executive board responsible for International Operations and Services.
“What’s involved in digitalisation is no longer just the development of individual solutions, such as apps. Scrutinising its effects on and potentials for our business model also forms part of the transformation process here at Krones,” explains Tischer and adds: “Digital solutions are instrumental in providing even more purposeful customer support along the entire lifecycles of our machines and lines. That makes them a crucial element of our core business.”
To keep pace with this change, Krones has also pooled digital developments in its own Ecosystem – The Krones.world portal will in future offer customers central access to Krones’ digital solutions.
“We are, of course, delighted to see that our strategy and the action we’ve taken has now been rewarded by this ranking. It is further proof that we are on the right track,” says Tischer.
4 NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2021 MACHINERY MATTERS