Automated packaging line improves efficiency

AMBOS Stockfeeds recently installed an automatic animal feed packaging system as part of a major upgrade to its facilities in Young, New South Wales.

To raise the efficiency of its product handling from the laborious manual system, the company purchased an automated grain and feed packaging line from Kockums Bulk Systems (KBS).

Safety is a prime consideration for AMBOS and this is achieved through standard operating procedures and training. Alan Threlfall, son of the founder of the company, said: “As we have moved towards high levels of automation, we have seen that all new equipment is designed with safety in mind and arranged so hazards are engineered out of the equation.”

Threlfall explains the company has a good ‘family type’ of culture, so that all staff are safety conscious. Because AMBOS holds to high quality and operational standards, it sought automated sack filling equipment from a company that had: proven products meeting Australian Standards; staff with good product knowledge and experience; and a ‘switched-on’ installation and service team. The company studied the market for available equipment, being prepared to pay that little extra for quality in keeping with their own standards and to maintain the trust of their client base.

AMBOS was attracted to KBS because of confidence in its quality products and reputation for successful installations and ongoing support.

The company installed equipment including a Payper open-mouth bagger that picks bags from a conveyor and offers them to the filling spout. When filled they move forward to the sewing head, then to the TMG automatic palletiser. From there they move forward as a pallet load to the Unitech automatic wrapper. Throughput is 700 to 900 sacks/h. The equipment is expected to perform 24/7 and be continually available for many years of service.

As a result of the higher rate of handling and the efficiency gained by the equipment, the company is considering export sales as a possible direction of expansion for the company. Its current market is throughout NSW with entry into Northern Victoria, Southern Queensland and South Australia.

“There is growth in the sack supply of feed products,” says Threlfall. “We achieve particular customer requirements by working with specialist external consultants for the formulations, and our products are free of animal by-products.

“The new sack filling and palletising equipment enables the quick switch of products for responding directly to clients’ needs.”

KBS has a wide variety of sack filling, palletising and wrapping equipment and the experience necessary to assist the client with the best choice to suit their needs