Extend shelf life and automate production with commercial packaging machines

How to Scale Your Bakery or Food Factory with Commercial Packaging Solutions

In the competitive world of food manufacturing, the product is only as good as its packaging. Whether you are running a high-volume bakery or a frozen food factory, the way you package your goods determines their shelf life, safety, and appeal to the consumer.

Manual packaging is no longer sustainable for growing businesses. It is slow, inconsistent, and poses higher contamination risks. Transitioning to automated commercial packaging machines—such as flow wrappers, vacuum sealers, and shrink wrappers—is the definitive step toward professionalizing your production line. This guide explores the best solutions for your specific needs.

1. Flow Wrappers: The Bakery Standard

If you have ever bought a chocolate bar, a pack of biscuits, or a croissant from a supermarket, it was likely packaged using a Flow Wrapper (Horizontal Form-Fill-Seal Machine).

Why Bakeries Choose Flow Wrappers
  • High Speed: These machines are designed for continuous motion, capable of wrapping hundreds of items per minute depending on the product size.
  • Airtight Seal: The “pillow pack” seal protects baked goods from humidity and air, keeping crusts crispy and interiors soft.
  • Versatility: Adjustable forming boxes allow you to switch between packaging cookies, muffins, or bread loaves with minimal downtime.

2. Vacuum Sealers: Maximizing Shelf Life

For food factories dealing with meat, cheese, sauces, or pre-cooked meals, oxygen is the enemy. A commercial vacuum sealer removes air from the package before sealing, drastically slowing down oxidation and bacterial growth.

Chamber vs. External Sealers

Chamber Vacuum Sealers: The industry standard. The entire bag is placed inside a chamber. This allows you to seal liquids (like soups or marinades) without making a mess, as the pressure is equalized.

Benefits: Significantly extends shelf life (often by 3-5 times compared to standard storage), prevents freezer burn, and is essential for Sous Vide cooking preparation.

3. Shrink Wrap Machines: Protection & Presentation

Shrink wrapping involves wrapping a product in a polymer plastic film and applying heat, causing the film to shrink tightly around the item. This is commonly seen on pizza boxes, multipacks of beverages, and gift baskets.

Key Advantages
  • Tamper Evidence: A tight shrink wrap guarantees the customer that the product has not been opened.
  • Bundling: Excellent for creating “Buy One Get One” packs or bundling multiple items together for wholesale.
  • Durability: Adds a layer of protection against dust and moisture during transport without hiding the product branding.

VS: Choosing the Right Technology

Which machine fits your production line? Here is a quick comparison.

Feature Flow Wrapper Vacuum Sealer Shrink Wrapper
Primary Goal Speed & Individual Packing Maximum Shelf Life Tamper Proofing & Bundling
Best For Biscuits, Bread, Candy Meat, Cheese, Liquids Boxes, Trays, Multipacks
Presentation Loose “Pillow” Fit Tight, Form-Fitting Tight, Glossy Finish

Automate Your Packaging Line Today

Investing in the right packaging equipment is an investment in your brand’s reputation. Whether you need the high-speed efficiency of a flow wrapper or the preservation power of a vacuum sealer, automation ensures your product reaches the customer exactly as you intended.

Share the Post:

Learn how we helped our customers gain success.

Let's have a chat

Learn how we helped our customers gain success.

Let's have a chat