Versatile X-Ray System for Innovative Packaging
Switzerland is well known for its quality consumer brands, including food products. Suricate is a Swiss FMCG packaging manufacturer for various commodities, such as food, cosmetics, and pet foods. They produce flexible packaging and other turnkey solutions. As a Swiss manufacturer, they naturally enforce a rigorous quality philosophy. Complying with Switzerland’s strict food regulations, Suricate has invested in state-of-the-art product facilities, tight quality processes, and professional partnerships within the industry.
These comprehensive quality measurements and processes have earned Suricate the reputation of a trusted, high-quality operator for the whole supply chain. Rather than resorting on the status quo, a fundamental part of Suricate’s philosophy is R&D and innovation; they not only fulfill customer expectations, they exceed them.
Finding the Right Quality Assurance Partner
To preserve its trusted reputation, Suricate is always looking for new ways to enhance its quality, process, and offerings. One important part was improving their food quality control system. Suricate’s objective was to find a metal detector system suitable for this task.
At the 2014 Interpack exhibition in Düsseldorf, Germany, Suricate’s representatives contacted Mekitec. They were very impressed with Mekitec staff’s professionalism as the team introduced them to the food X-Ray inspection concept, the MEKI system, and its advantages. Mr. Magdalena Drozda, Director of Suricate, states, “We met an extremely collaborative and professional staff. Compared to metal detectors, X-Ray food inspection systems are able to detect stones, glass, high-density plastic, rubber, and ceramic. It also can detect contaminants inside packaging materials, such as aluminum, which metal detectors cannot. Mekitec’s cost-efficient offering made a good impression vs. the price of a highend metal detector.”
At first, Suricate was able to detect various foreign objects, regardless of the packaging material. Later, MEKI’s special features, such as weight and missing product control, interested Suricate to a large extent.
Inspection Solution In Action
Suricate ordered its first MEKI food inspection system right after the exhibition with a delivery and setup appointment. Lars Oehlandt, Mekitec Global Director of Sales, says, “During the process, it was evident of Suricate’s mission of quality-driven passion to develop and innovate using Mekitec’s food safety inspection systems. Suricate’s interest and desire to learn made the initialization of MEKI system easy. The pricevalue proposition was another critical factor.”
Suricate’s operators received comprehensive training, so they could manage the system seamlessly. For example they went through the daily actions and found the best setup for each product. Mekitec’s software has an intuitive interface which is important because the factory produces various products. Changing products needs to be a rapid process.
MEKI is now ensuring that Suricate’s rigorous quality standards are fulfilled and protecting Suricate’s brand and their customer’s brands. When asked about future of X-Ray in Suricate, Drozda answered, “We do need time to improve the new process and systems and verify all the benefits, but certainly I see it in a very positive way.”
Benefits of MEKI Solutions
The main benefits of Mekitec and MEKI-solutions are the price-value proposition and the strong local service. All questions and concerns are promptly answered. Also, the open and transparent attitude towards system development ideas and feedback is a positive factor. ”Mekitec solutions increase our food safety and provide insurance for our business and reputation” states Mr. Drozda.
