Controls integration and automation supplier Elau recently engaged a pair of Masterfoods GmbH engineers in a conversation about modularity and its role in the packaging scene. Here's a portion of what Stefan Aumann and Stefan Kohl had to say. Aumann is senior segment engineer in the European sector, while Kohl handles planning and operation of packaging systems in the Multifoods plant at Verden an der aller, Germany. Masterfoods, of course, is owner of such popular brands as Mars, Dove, and Uncle Ben's.
What attributes factor into your procurement of packaging systems and machinery?
Aumann: Mainly cycle times and whether the machine conforms with the basics of modular machine design. When procuring new equipment, modularity is a real focal point. Conformance with PackML as defined by the OMAC Packaging Guidelines is also an aspect, because the standardization helps us. And we consider short setup times to be of great importance, of course.
