The strategic investment in ULMA's cutting-edge FR 200 flow pack wrapper (HFFS) comes after Moo Free’s outdated machinery struggled to wrap the desired amount of chocolate efficiently, leading to production delays and waste. Furthermore, sourcing replacement parts for the ageing equipment became increasingly challenging, the company said.
Established in 2010, Moo Free has gained a strong reputation for catering to vegan and vegetarian customers with its dairy-free, wheat-free, gluten-free and soya-free chocolate offerings, available at major supermarket retailers. The company's commitment to sustainability is evident in its use of non-single-use and recycled plastics for packaging, along with paper, to achieve zero waste to landfill.
Marcus Woods, Moo Free’s operations manager, explained: "Our packaging machine was vital to our daily operations, but it could no longer keep up with our production demands. Its variable performance and frequent issues with film alignment were causing considerable disruptions and waste."
After conducting extensive research and considering their sustainability-focused requirements, Moo Free's team contacted ULMA Packaging for a potential solution. Familiar with ULMA Packaging's reputation through word-of-mouth, Moo Free was confident in its ability to address its specific needs.
"The FR 200 has transformed our production process, and ULMA's exceptional service and support have been invaluable,” added Marcus. “We are already reaping the benefits of this flow pack wrapper, and I wouldn't hesitate to return to ULMA for future packaging machinery needs,” Woods added.
Since implementing the FR 200, Moo Free said it has experienced a significant increase in productivity. The new machine achieves up to 110 packs per minute (ppm), a remarkable improvement over the previous peak rate of 36 ppm. The elimination of film alignment issues and reduced downtime has further enhanced production efficiency.
"We are delighted to have partnered with Moo Free to provide them with our FR 200 flow pack wrapper. It is incredibly rewarding to see how our packaging solution has contributed to improving both their productivity and sustainability efforts. At ULMA Packaging, we take pride in offering innovative machinery that meets the specific needs of our customers, and we are thrilled to have played a part in enhancing Moo Free's production process,” said James Couldwell, ULMA Packaging’s managing director.
