Maestrani updates its packaging with Ishida and ITECH

Things are going sweetly at Maestrani Schweizer Schokoladen AG, and recently, the chocolate manufacturer has also become much more efficient: the long-established company in Eastern Switzerland has set the course for more powerful and precise packaging of its popular Minor chocolate products. Together with ITECH and Ishida, it implemented a modern packaging system that raises speed, accuracy, and ergonomics to a new level, all in line with sustainable growth. 

Facts and figures 

1. Maestrani invested in a new Ishida multihead weigher to increase speed and efficiency and reduce waste
2. The Ishida weigher can handle chocolate pieces weighing from 5g to 22g at typically 40 packs per minute
3. The Ishida multihead has been enclosed to reduce noise level to well below 85 dB
4. A key factor in the successful installation was the close partnership with Ishida’s local distributor, ITECH AG

Challenge

The multihead weigher Maestrani previously used no longer met requirements, its accuracy was declining, and the line was increasingly becoming a bottleneck in production. “The old weigher was simply too inaccurate and could no longer meet our throughput rates,” recalls André Pfister, Production Manager at Maestrani. Replacement was essential, especially given the rapidly growing volume: Around 4,500 tons of chocolate leave the Flawil factory annually, and that figure is rising for the confectionery producer.

Solution

After a careful evaluation phase, the company chose an Ishida 14-head multihead weigher, supplied and installed by Ishida’s local distributor, ITECH AG.

“The collaboration with ITECH was very smooth, from planning and testing with original product samples to final commissioning,” said Pfister.

The new Ishida weigher works in conjunction with an existing VFFS bagmaker and has been optimised for a wide variety of formats: from 110g stand-up pouches to 1kg pillow packs and cans. The smallest chocolate pieces weigh just 5g, including the well-known “Minerli” chocolate bars, while large chocolate figures weigh up to 22g.

A key factor in the company’s success is the close partnership with Ishida, whose reliable and internationally proven technology forms the basis for every ITECH solution.

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Media contact

Joseph Clarke
Editor, International Confectionery
Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 920
Email: [email protected]