Shrimp processor improves package seal quality, significantly reduces leakers
Van Roey (www.vanroey.com) is one of Belgium’s major processors of high-quality shrimp. With the founder’s son still running the firm, it can be regarded as a true family company. Located on a small street in Boechout, not far from Antwerp, Van Roey has built a production hall behind the house where the family used to live. Around the year 2000, Van Roey started looking for a fully automated packaging line. As there was only limited space in the production area, Van Roey was not fond of the idea of having to store pre-formed trays, so a thermoformer was purchased.
Not long after installing this thermoformer, Van Roey started to field complaints from its customers with regard to the packs of large prawns. Their hollow antennas, in combination with standard packaging technology, led to leaking packs because of incorrect seals. Managing director Dirk van Roey said, “With our prawns coming from a French trading company, we decided to ask this supplier for advice. They recommended a SEALPAC thermoformer with the special Gamba Packaging system, which had been running successfully at a shrimp processor in France. As soon as I hung up the telephone, I called SEALPAC.”