Factory floor efficiency experts Marco have completed a TRAC-IT MES packhouse solution for leading fresh fruit importer and packer Griffin and Brand (European) Ltd at their packhouse in Ashford, Kent. Griffin and Brand supply a wide range of fresh fruit including grapes and top fruit to leading UK supermarkets and retail outlets.

Marco have extensive experience in the fresh produce packing industry and work closely with clients to ensure each system meets their full operational and fiscal requirements without compromise. They have recognised that capturing and acting upon real time factory floor data is essential for companies to operate efficiently and profitably in this fast paced market sector.

The Ashford scope of supply, based on Marco's proven TRAC-IT MES software and hardware modules, includes LineMaster portion control scales, flow wrappers with auto loading systems, and a comprehensive conveyor system, incorporating soft touch accumulation end of line packing conveyors.

The system is designed to optimise packing flexibility to meet Griffin and Brand's changing customers' requirements, whilst dramatically reducing waste and giveaway. Manual packing is a vital part of the packhouse process, dictated by the diverse nature and size differences of the fruit. Speed is of the essence to remain competitive, placing contrasting demands on line operators. Not only do they need to ensure packs meet the packers code for 'e' weighing but also minimise expensive product giveaway. To optimise this, Marco have pioneered the development of their inspirational Automatic Optimisation (AO) software. This continually fine tunes pack target weights based on real time factory floor data. Operators are unaware of these subtle ongoing adjustments and continue to pack to the 'green light' on the LineMaster scales. Results from dozens of Marco installations demonstrate that giveaway can be reduced to fractions of a gram per pack without affecting line speed.

The modular nature of TRAC-IT MES ensures that packhouse systems, such as the one installed at Griffin and Brand, can be readily expanded to meet future requirements. One of the available modules is the LCM Line Control Module, which provides a comprehensive line set up capability. This allows supervisors to set and check all crucial line parameters for any particular pack run from a central PC.