Compact thermoforming packaging machine provides upgrade for fresh Mexican street food outlet business

From burritos and nachos to tacos and quesadillas, El Mexicana was founded in 2011 with the vision to become a leading provider of over-the-counter Mexican food in the UK. The business provides fresh, healthy and authentic Mexican street food available to eat-in or takeaway from 17 outlets across the UK.

Quality food deserves a quality packaging process, and El Mexicana was looking to upgrade their existing vacuum chamber machine at their facility in Stevenage to improve their packaging of marinated chicken, prepared vegetables, beans and salsa.

The existing packaging process relied on two operators manually loading products into the vacuum chamber machine. However, this was proving too slow to keep up with customer demand as the business was increasing their number of outlets over the next few years.

El Mexicana approached MULTIVAC UK to understand how they could increase their production capacity and reduce their reliance on manual labour for a new, efficient packaging process.

With help from MULTIVAC’s UK Regional Sales Representative for the South East, Douglas Keith, the R 085 entry-level thermoforming packaging machine was selected to upgrade their packaging process.

When it comes to packaging, you don’t have to be big to be clever. MULTIVAC’s range of compact entry-level thermoforming packaging machines may be compact but can offer producers a high level of flexibility for their desired products.

The R 085 operates solely with electricity, and so, therefore, does not require compressed air or a cooling water connection, so can be used flexibly in various areas within production. MULTIVAC’s range of compact machine solutions for small businesses and start-ups can be configured to meet your individual requirements, but with the standard configurations and pre-defined basic formats of the R 085, El Mexicana was able to pack around 24,000 packs per week easily and efficiently.

The R 085 is also equipped with a drawer system for a fast format changeover for ease of use, maximum production flexibility, and reduced downtime.

The introduction of the new packaging process has allowed the business to reduce its reliance on manual labour. A process that previously relied on three operators, has now been reduced to just one operator, allowing the business to repurpose staff elsewhere in the business.

With the knowledge that MULTIVAC is known for its superior build quality, and professional, comprehensive after-sales service and support services, El Mexicana felt they were in good hands.

MULTIVAC worked closely with El Mexicana to ensure a smooth installation of the new machine with no disruption caused to production on site.
“Working with MULTIVAC on the installation of the new R 085 thermoforming packaging machine has enabled us to grow our business and be efficient as possible,” says John Coverley, Owner and Managing Director of El Mexicana.

El Mexicana can now benefit from the comprehensive and sophisticated support provided by MULTIVAC UK’s Technical Service department to ensure the maximum availability and efficiency of the recently installed machines. The supplier also has access to the support of over 55+ Field Service Technicians, as well as a Technical Help Desk.