Fold Hill & Mespack: A Comprehensive Turnkey Success Story in Pet Food Packaging

Introduction: Transforming Reliability into Competitive Advantage

In the fast-paced world of pet food manufacturing, reliability and efficiency are essential. Fold Hill, a respected UK-based producer, faced a critical challenge: its existing pouch-filling line was unreliable, which caused disruptions and inefficiencies. Seeking a solution that would not only resolve these issues, but also future-proof its operations, Fold Hill turned to Mespack, a partner renowned for innovation, robust engineering, and customer-centric support.

The Challenge: Overcoming Operational Bottlenecks

Fold Hill’s initial pouch line struggled with frequent breakdowns and inconsistent performance. This impacted production schedules and increased operational costs. The company needed a solution that would deliver:

• Consistent high-speed pouch filling
• Reliable integration with secondary packaging
• Minimal downtime and easy operator training
• Scalability for future growth

After a thorough evaluation of suppliers, Mespack’s reputation for building quality, value, and responsive support made it the preferred choice.

The Solution: Mespack H260 SC and W7301 (Integrated for Excellence)

Primary Packaging: Mespack H260 SC

Replacement of the unreliable premade machine with the Mespack H260 SC was the first step. This advanced pouch filler is designed to handle up to 50 pouches per minute, and accommodates pouch sizes up to 2.5 liters. A multihead weigher ensures precise filling, while Mespack’s technology adds a Euro-hole punch for easy retail hanging; this is a feature highly valued by Fold Hill’s customers.

Secondary Packaging: Mespack W7301 Case Packer

Two years after the initial installation, the production needs of Fold Hill grew. Mespack responded by integrating the W7301 wrap-around case packer, thus seamlessly connecting it to the existing pouch line. This allowed filled pouches to be transferred via sideload to the case packer, forming shelf-ready packaging that is directly delivered to retail shelves. The result was a unified, high-performance end-of-line setup that ensured smooth production flow and continuity.

Seamless Integration: The Athena HMI Advantage

A standout feature of this project was Mespack’s Athena HMI (Human-Machine Interface), which provided a unified control system for both the pouch filler and case packer. Operators benefited from:

• Consistent User Experience: The same intuitive interface on both machines simplified setup, training, and daily operation.
• Minimal Training Required: Since operators were already familiar with Athena from the pouch filler, adopting the new case packer was quick and easy.
• Smooth Installation and Ramp-Up: The integration “worked very well” without major hiccups, which allowed Fold Hill to maintain production schedules without disruption.

Customer Perspective: Fold Hill’s Experience

Fold Hill’s feedback underscores the value of Mespack’s turnkey approach:

“We needed something more reliable. When looking at build and value for money, Mespack stood out, so we invested in the first pouch filler.”

“With Athena standard on both machines, adopting the case packer required minimal additional training, and the integration worked very well.”

“Communication has been fantastic. Through Acer Machinery (a Mespack agent in the UK), Emma coordinated everyone, and we’ve never been without parts. A slight issue was solved quickly for our unique setup.”

“How would we evaluate Mespack? Very, very good…another great install with no hiccups so far. We would absolutely recommend Mespack.”

Technical Highlights: Capabilities & Specifications

• Machine: Mespack H260 SC + W7301
• Products: Pet Food
• Speed: Up to 50 pouches/min (10 cases/min)
• Packaging: Stand-up pouches with Euro-hole and integrated case packing
• Location: United Kingdom
• Partnership: since 2023

The combination of high-speed filling, precise weighing, and seamless case packing has enabled Fold Hill to efficiently deliver quality products to retailers.

Looking Ahead: Ready for Expansion

With a standardized Athena HMI and a fully integrated pouch-to-case setup, Fold Hill is well positioned to:

• Scale formats and SKUs as market demands evolve
• Keep operator training efficient and consistent
• Sustain reliable, day-to-day performance as operations grow

Mespack’s turnkey solutions have provided Fold Hill with the flexibility and reliability needed to adapt to future challenges and opportunities.

Final Thoughts: The Value of Partnership

Fold Hill’s story is a testament to the power of choosing the right partner. Mespack’s commitment to innovation, reliability, and customer support has transformed a reliability challenge into a seamlessly integrated, operator-friendly turnkey project. At Mespack, we are proud to support Fold Hill’s ongoing success and look forward to helping more clients innovate their packaging lines.

Watch the complete video HERE and read the success story HERE.

Would you like to learn more about how Mespack can help you innovate your packaging line? Contact us today: info@mespack.com | (+34) 902 180 520 | mespack.com