Macpac celebrates its 50th anniversary with the completion of the second phase of its £1.5 million investment. One of the UK’s largest privately owned thermoformed packaging manufacturers, Macpac has installed a cutting-edge Illig RDKP 72 automatic pressure thermoforming system at its Stockport plant.
This substantial investment aligns with Macpac’s ambitious growth strategy, driven primarily by the rising demand from various industries, including food packaging. The state-of-the-art Illig thermoformer operates at up to 55 cycles per minute, offering Macpac increased production speed and flexibility. With its industrial process control, advanced forming/punching technology, and maximum forming area of 756mm x 535mm, the Illig six-bar thermoformer enhances Macpac’s capabilities in meeting customer requirements.
Featuring a fully robotised stacking system, this high-speed thermoforming system facilitates flexible production of medium to large-sized batch sizes. It accommodates frequent changes of material type, format, and tools. This investment comes as a continuation of Macpac’s previous addition of an Illig RD74 down stacking machine with an additional secondary punch press, enabling the manufacturing of thermoformed packs with punched holes directly within the forming process.
The new down stacking station demonstrates Macpac’s commitment to delivering cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality and efficiency. These strategic investments reflect Macpac’s vision of supporting further growth in both the UK and overseas markets.
Managing Director Graham Kershaw states, “The installation of the new Illig thermoformer marks another significant step in our investment journey. It positions us ideally to cater to increasing demand from the global pharmaceutical and food industries.” Kershaw adds, “Our clients can count on Macpac for high volumes, exceptional service, and uncompromising quality. This investment also showcases our confidence in our talented team and outstanding product range.”
Founded by Chris Kershaw, father of the current owner and managing director, Graham Kershaw, Macpac celebrates 50 years of industry expertise. With in-house design, tooling, and production facilities, as well as experienced sales engineers, Macpac is renowned for its specialist knowledge and advice. Additionally, Macpac is committed to sustainability, recycling approximately 680,000kg of r-PET per year, which is re-processed back into extruded sheet for further thermoforming production.
With cutting-edge technology such as 11 Illig thermoforming systems and five CNC machines, Macpac offers high-quality plastic packaging solutions across various sectors, including food and beverage. This investment solidifies Macpac’s position as a market leader in the thermoformed packaging industry.
