If you’re in the business of packaging products into containers and shipping them off, you know that it’s important to make sure your machines are working at optimal levels of efficiency. When it comes to choosing the machines your company uses, one of the choices you might have to make is between a horizontal form fill and seal machine and a vertical form fill and seal machine. Of course, the benefits of each will depend on the actual product you need to package, such as whether you’re in the food industry or you’re packaging non-food items.

Why Are VFFS Machines Better for Food Industry Products?

Because so many food products are sold by weight, packaging them horizontally isn’t often the most efficient way of doing so. Instead, vertical form fill and seal machines allow the product to be sorted out and weighed into the container easily, partially thanks to gravity. Horizontal form fill and seal machines are typically better suited for products that are heavier, as they rely on a conveyer belt rather than a feeding spout. Vertical FFS machines are used for things like candy, condiment packets, and loose products that may be difficult to handle manually, such as sugar.

Should You Choose an HFFS Machine?

If you’re in a business that packages products such as vacuum packed products, including some food products such as frozen pizzas or hot dogs, as well as other, non-food products like magazines, electrical or hardware products, plastic silverware packages, and much, much more. When your product is heavier or needs to be vacuum-sealed, laying it on a flat surface to be packaged tends to be more efficient. This type of packaging is typically also better suited to products that have a limited amount of pieces – things like sugar, as previously mentioned, would not fare well if they were packaged with a horizontal form fill and seal machine.

Depending on the business you’re in, one machine may be the clear winner. However, if you’re still unsure of whether you would benefit more from a horizontal or a vertical form fill and seal machine, feel free to contact High Performance Packaging. We can give you more information and help you come to the best decision for your particular product and business.