One of Thailand’s leading suppliers of flexible packaging, Prepack, has installed Vetaphone Corona technology on its two extrusion lines located in Amphawa Samutsongkram, some 100km south-west of the capital Bangkok. The company, which is renowned for the international quality of its work, is set up as a single source supply for its portfolio of ‘A list’ customers. In addition to extrusion, Prepack has gravure and flexo print capabilities, as well as solvent-based lamination and forming.
Established initially in 1973 from Prepac France, the company’s early work was for the Nongpho Ratchaburi Dairy Corporation for which it produced packaging for pasteurised milk under Royal patronage. Other early products included 5kg rice bags the Prathum Rice Mill. Today, the company has expanded its product range to supply flexible packaging to industries as diverse as food, personal care and hygiene, snacks, chemical and industrial, and various other consumer areas.
Setting such high standards of production quality is not without it problems, as Production Manager of 20 years at the plant, Veraphan Thiampu explained: “We are located close to the sea and there is always a high level of salt in the air, which added to the humidity levels that we experience in southern Thailand creates a perfect environment for corrosion. This was having a disruptive effect on production and creating high levels of waste.”
Disappointed that it was incurring such issues with well-known European brands of Corona treaters, Prepack made contact with Techno Global Graphics, who represent Vetaphone in Thailand. The result was the replacement of the existing surface treatment unit on one of its extruders with Vetaphone VE2B station, and after twelve months of satisfactory performance, the replacement of the treater on the other extruder with a Vetaphone VE2C unit. The B station is 1.8m wide and runs at 90m/min with a 6kW (2 x 3) capacity. The C station is 1.6m wide and runs at 80m/min. It has an 8kW capacity and is fitted with a larger backing roller – both Vetaphone units are for double-sided treatment.
“There has been a big difference since we installed the Vetaphone units – performance is consistent and the regular maintenance requirements are easy to complete. Our investment in their technology has proved to be very good value for money,” he added, explaining that Prepack now operates a double-shift work pattern for its 500 staff at the plant. This is consistent with the company’s proud tradition of providing a quality service. Among those independently certifying Prepack are: Walt Disney and Walmart, and the company also lists ISO 9001/14001, OHSAS 18001, GMP, HACCP, BRC-IoP, and FSC 22000.
Speaking for Vetaphone, Area Sales Manager for the APACME region, Finn Hinze said: “We are delighted to be the preferred supplier of surface treatment technology to such a leading packaging manufacturer as Prepack Thailand. It proves that the design and manufacturing quality of our product allows it to perform in the harshest of production environments, and we look to continuing this successful business partnership.”
