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8 Ways to Prevent Dust Buildup in Packaging Systems

8 Ways to Eliminate Dust in Packaging Systems

Dust and other types of particulate can potentially cause a problem for packaging machines. Products such as protein powders, flour, dry snacks, or ground coffee can generate dust in packaging environments.

You’re most likely to encounter dust when powdered or dry product passes through certain transfer points throughout the packaging system. Any time the product is in motion or starts and stops suddenly, the process may generate dust.

Here are eight innovative features in modern packaging machines that can help prevent or eliminate dust buildup.

1. Enclosed Jaw Drives

If your packaging machines operate in a dusty environment or work with a dusty product, it’s necessary for the components of the sealing jaws to remain protected from particulates.

Packaging machines designed for wet or dusty environments will typically have a completely enclosed jaw drive to keep particulate from building up on the parts.

2. Dust-Proof Enclosures

Enclosures that contain electrical or pneumatic components need to have sufficient protection against dust buildup to function properly. When buying packaging machines for a dusty environment, you should make sure the equipment has an Ingress Protection (IP) Rating that’s intended for your application. An IP Rating is made of two numbers that indicate how dust- and water-tight an enclosure is.

For dust protection, you should get packaging machinery with an IP Rating of 50 or higher. If you need dust-tight enclosures choose machinery with an IP Rating of 60 or higher.

3. Dust Removal Machines

Dust buildup isn’t the only thing you should worry about. Dust can also get into package seams, which can cause inadequate uniformity during the heat seal process that can result in lost product. To avoid this, you can set up dust removal equipment at multiple points throughout a facility to recirculate dust and expel it from the environment.

4. Static Elimination Bars

When plastic packaging film is unwound and fed through the packaging machinery, it can generate static electricity, which in turn causes dust and other particulates to stick to the inside of the film. This can cause product to appear in the package seals, which can compromise the integrity of the package. A static elimination bar can help further avoid these complications.

5. Dust Hoods

Automatic pouch filling machines can benefit from a dust hood placed over the product dispensing station. This can help to collect and remove particulates as the product drops from the filter into the bag.

6. Vacuum Pull Belts

Friction pull belts are standard for vertical form fill and seal machines. They are responsible for pulling the packaging film through the system using friction. However, if the environment is dusty, particulates can get between the film and the friction pull belts, resulting in poor performance and wearing them down over time.

On the other hand, vacuum pull belts use vacuum suction instead of friction, which effectively eliminates the concern over dust buildup. They may be more expensive than friction pull belts, but they’re likely to last much longer and result in less of a risk for production lines.

7. Continuous Motion Packaging

Packaging equipment can function in either intermittent or continuous motion. Continuous motion is more ideal in dusty environments because of the downward airflow that keeps the product-generated dust inside the packaging.

8. Regular Preventative Maintenance

In addition to dust controlling measures, regular preventative maintenance is another great way to further eliminate dust from packaging systems. This includes cleaning and inspecting components for residue or dust.

All of these can help you combat dust in work environments, keeping products and equipment protected.

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How to Properly Seal Products with Packaging Machines

How to Effectively Seal Products with Automated Packaging Machinery

Packages with insufficient seals can compromise your product and subsequently hurt your company. Inadequate sealing can result in higher costs for machine reworking, recalibration, scrap, and spill cleanup. For perishables such as food items, a bag without a proper seal can result in shorter shelf life, poor product quality, risk of contamination, and messes for consumers.

Forming Adequate Seals with Heat Sealing

Most versatile packaging machines create seals using heat seal jaws or bars. When heated, these parts close over the portion of the package where the seal will be, causing the sealant layers to melt and fuse together. However, certain factors can result in faulty seals.

Here are some of the preventable issues.

Poor Sealing Jaw Construction and Uniformity

One issue that could happen has to do with poor uniformity. The strength of a packaging seal must be uniform to properly protect the packaged product. Sealing jaws can only create the perfect seal if they operate with consistent force and temperature across the entire sealing area. To make sure your seals are uniform, choose a packaging machine with sealing jaws that have been forged from a single piece of metal. This can help avoid temperature and pressure fluctuations, resulting in a strong seal.

The problem with sealing jaws made with more than one piece of metal is that they can create inconsistent seals because of fluctuating pressure and temperatures.

Misaligned Sealing Jaws

If package seals are weak on one side but strong on the other, this likely indicates that your jaws are poorly aligned. Oftentimes packaging machine technicians and operators will move the jaws into alignment using a small piece of metal. However, this isn’t the safest method.

You’re better off following a preventative maintenance plan that checks for misalignment at various points throughout the machine’s lifespan, such as:

  • Prior to startup
  • Following a material jam
  • Following changeovers
  • Following recent maintenance or upgrades

Dust & Debris in the Seal Area

When product is present in the bag seam throughout the heat sealing process, the areas where the product is present won’t adhere properly. This can have a negative impact on seal integrity, resulting in risk of leaking and contamination. To prevent dust from gathering on the seal area, you should clean it periodically.

Perform Preventative Maintenance

Packaging machine technicians or operators should clean and inspect sealing jaws on a daily basis as part of a complete preventative maintenance plan. This can help ensure that dust and other particulate won’t build up on the sealing bars. This can also help make sure that any small issues with sealing jaw alignment or function are identified and addressed before they can become a major problem.

Impulse Sealing

Rather than heat sealing, another sealing method to consider is impulse sealing. Unlike heat seal jaws that require consistent electricity and heat, impulse sealing bands only need electrical energy, creating heat solely during the heating phase of the sealing cycle. These bands heat up and cool down within a few hundred milliseconds to a few seconds at most. This gives the package seal time to cool prior to being released from the sealing mechanism.

By avoiding the aforementioned issues and implementing preventative maintenance measures and cleaning, you can keep your packaging machines working the way they should.

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Why You Should Purchase Used Dairy Product Packaging Machinery

Dairy product packaging for milk and yogurtDifferent types of dairy products require different systems of reliable packaging machinery. To reduce costs and build a long-lasting system that works for your specific application, consider purchasing used dairy product packaging machinery instead of new models. Trusted companies like High Performance Packaging offer used fillers and other types of packaging equipment without any decrease in quality.

Used Dairy Product Fillers

One type of packaging machinery that many dairy products require is a filling machine. Milk, yogurt, butter, and other liquid dairy products need efficient filling machinery to handle the varying levels of viscosity with each product. Auger and volumetric fillers are used for various types of dairy products, and are capable of filling uniquely shaped containers. Used dairy product fillers can potentially provide the same level of efficiency as new models, with reduced prices.

Other Types of Used Dairy Product Packaging Equipment

Fillers are only one type of machinery that dairy products utilize throughout the packaging process. Dairy products require a complete packaging system consisting of conveyors, inspection equipment, and wrappers, all of which are available used in working condition from the right resellers. A packaging company such as High Performance Packaging can help install a complete system with this equipment while helping packaging facilities save money.

Trained technicians must determine if used equipment is operational prior to reselling, identifying and addressing any mechanical issues that may otherwise inconvenience buyers. This measure helps make sure that machinery is capable of giving production lines the same level of reliability as newer counterparts.

Other Benefits of Buying Used Dairy Product Packaging Machinery

The lowered cost associated with purchasing used and refurbished packaging equipment is the most obvious benefit of choosing used over new, but the right company can also offer other benefits to keep your production line in optimal condition. A company like High Performance Packaging offers supplemental services including installation, line start-ups, operator training, preventative maintenance scheduling, performance improvement, and OEE programs that can improve your equipment’s overall efficiency and increase your staff’s productivity.

With a combination of equipment and services, your production line can serve you with consistent quality through long periods of use. Trained technicians can advise you on which equipment to use in your facility and provide appropriate services to keep your production line running the way it should.

Save Money and Improve Performance with a System of Used Packaging Equipment Today

To receive additional information about our used dairy product packaging machinery along with a free quote, contact High Performance Packaging to speak with an industry expert. We can develop a custom solution consisting of our used packaging equipment, with many different choices available in brand name and specific options to meet your application’s needs. Our services also give your facility what it needs to give you the best results. You’ll be able to see a better return on investment with the affordable packaging machines in our inventory.

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Why Buy Used Oil and Fat Filling Equipment?

oil product packaging on shelves

Source: cargillfoods.com

Edible oil and fat products require reliable filling machinery during the packaging process, along with other packaging machinery. High Performance Packaging carries a range of used auger and volumetric fillers that are in working condition and ready for use in these production lines. We have all the used oil and fat filling equipment that your facility needs.

With a combination of our machinery installed in your facility, you can benefit from equipment that offers both reliability and affordability.

Volumetric and Auger Filling Systems

Oils and fats utilize many different types of packaging, depending on the specific type of product. Oils made with soy, corn, rapeseed, sunflower, olives, and fatty food products such as margarines and spreads each have different filling requirements. The right selection of oil and fat fillers can sufficiently fill many types of containers with these products.

Other Oil and Fat Packaging Machines

Apart from used oil and fat filling equipment, High Performance Packaging offers used conveyors, wrappers, and inspection equipment to finalize the packaging process for these products. Reliable metal detectors and X-ray inspection machinery can properly assess product packaging to detect potential contamination from metal or other types of particles that can sometimes end up inside final packaging contents. Flow and shrink wrappers can provide top-quality wrapping for many types of containers at the end of the production line.

Why Buy Used Oil and Fat Packaging Machines?

While purchasing new oil and fat fillers and other types of equipment, there are certain benefits that come with purchasing used machines. A company like High Performance Packaging can help make sure that there isn’t a compromise in quality with used equipment, inspecting each piece of machinery before recirculation. Reliable packaging machine resellers offer top brands of used equipment to for quality assurance, while allowing customers to utilize this equipment at lower prices.

Another benefit that can come with used oil and fat filling equipment is a host of services that production line managers may otherwise remain without. Some of the services certain companies offer may include operator training, performance improvement, OEE programs, installation, preventative maintenance, and line start-ups to simplify the launch of a new production line. These services can add many years to a packaging facility, giving equipment and staff the tools they need to thrive in many types of applications.

Want additional information and a free quote for used oil and fat packaging machines available at High Performance Packaging? Contact us at any time and we’ll be happy to discuss our products and services. We also carry equipment for many other applications involving food and nonfood item packaging. Our inventory includes state-of-the-art used packaging equipment from top manufacturers in the packaging industry, including Yamato, Ishida, Hayssen, Kliklok-Woodman, and Matrix, among many other trusted brands. We can assist with machine selection and provide services that can significantly help with the upkeep of your facility. We are dedicated to helping customers get the most out of their production lines on a long-term basis.

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Buying Used Coffee and Tea Packaging Machines

self-serve coffee and tea packaging

Source: omag-pack.com

Coffee and tea products require reliable packaging equipment for quality assurance throughout the packaging process. These products are among the many types of food and nonfood products the machinery in our inventory can package. We carry some of the top brands of used coffee and tea packaging machines in the industry that’s used for packaging these products in a variety of packaging designs.

Installing a combination of our coffee and tea packaging machinery can help your production line reach its full potential in productivity.

Auger and Volumetric Fillers

Both auger and volumetric fillers from top brands such as SpeeDee, All Fill, and Mateer Burt can meet the needs for filling single-serve packages or larger containers. Their construction allows them to serve packaging facilities for many years, with high-quality parts that won’t wear down as easily as other models of coffee and tea packaging machinery. Used auger and volumetric filling equipment can provide the same accuracy and precision levels in filling as newer models.

Accommodating for Different Coffee and Tea Packaging Designs

Like other types of food products, coffee and tea often come in different types of packages depending on whether or not they’re intended to be single-serve products or part of a larger order. Our selection of filling machinery can fill most orders, including small uniquely shaped packages and larger cartons. Certain applications may include three-in-one powder packets, which include powdered coffee, sugar, and cream, but a system of used coffee and tea packaging machines can meet these needs.

Benefits of Used Coffee and Tea Packaging Equipment

Certain companies may wish to buy new coffee and tea packaging machines instead of used models, but the quality that companies can receive with used equipment can be the same as their newer counterparts. A reliable packaging equipment company such as High Performance Packaging makes sure that each piece of equipment is in good condition prior to selling. Trained technicians can inspect equipment and determine if there are any faulty parts, replacing them to ensure the machinery is in working condition. With these measures, used coffee and tea packaging equipment can provide the same effectiveness at lower costs.

Along with reliable equipment, we offer several services that can help further improve your packaging line. Our services include operator training, OEE programs, preventative maintenance, performance improvement, and line start-ups to assist with the launch of a new production line. These services can significantly expand the lifespan of equipment and help you achieve what you want to with your packaging systems.

To get a free quote for used coffee and tea packaging machinery along with additional technical details, contact us online and speak with an expert today. We also carry used packaging machines for a wide range of other packaging applications. Our expansive selection of equipment includes VFFS and HFFS equipment, inspection machinery, and more for applications involving food and nonfood products. If you’re in need of compatible packaging machines in your facility, our team of industry experts can assist with machine selection along with installation and initial operation.

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Why Purchase Used Liquid Carbonic Freeze Tunnels

Food processing freezers, including Liquid Carbonic freeze tunnels, are needed to properly store food products to prevent spoilage and help streamline product transportation. Liquid carbonic freeze tunnels use CO2 to keep food products sufficiently cooled throughout storage and transportation. Poultry, vegetables, and many other types of foods rely on Liquid Carbonic CO2 freeze tunnels. Food processing managers may initially seek new freezer products because of their perceived higher quality, but used freezers can provide the same level of efficiency and effectiveness.

Benefits of Purchasing Used Liquid Carbonic Freeze Tunnels

The most obvious benefit of buying a used Liquid Carbonic freezer is the lower price. Buying used equipment doesn’t cost as much as purchasing directly from the manufacturer or a new model supplier, while allowing you to receive machinery that performs optimally for many years in your food processing and packaging line. A reliable packaging machine company such as High Performance Packaging tests and inspects each piece of equipment received prior to reselling, making sure that it’s in working condition and ready for installation.

Another benefit of purchasing used freezers is the supplemental support that a reputable packaging machine company may offer. Some companies offer supplemental services to maximize the longevity of equipment, including preventative maintenance, line start-ups, operator training, troubleshooting, and performance improvement. A combination of these services can help ensure that your facility experiences consistent productivity and functionality for years. Professional technicians can help identify issues with freeze tunnels and other types of food processing equipment, working to improve your facility.

Purchasing from the manufacturer may cause you to miss out on these benefits, potentially leaving you with insufficiently trained operators, unorganized regarding preventative maintenance checks, and vulnerable to mechanical issues and subsequent breakdowns. At the same time, you wind up spending more money on equipment.

Save Money with a Combination of Used Food Processing Equipment

Apart from used Liquid Carbonic freeze tunnels, there are many other types of used food processing machines available in working condition. Combine your used freezing equipment with other machinery to save money while maintaining high production quality for many years. A company with trained technicians can provide additional expertise in the repair and performance improvement of equipment you purchase from them, something you’re not likely to experience when buying new equipment from other retailers.

Choose from Many Types of Food Processing and Packaging Machinery at High Performance Packaging

Used Liquid Carbonic freeze tunnels aren’t the only type of food processing equipment you can find at High Performance Packaging; VFFS/HFFS machinery, conveyors, vibratory feeders, bucket elevators, labelers, case packers, palletizers, combination weigher scales, linear scales, and many other types of food and nonfood packaging machines are available. Consult a packaging expert today to purchase a Liquid Carbonic freezer or other types of equipment for a new or existing production line.

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How to Test Metal Detecting Equipment

Many types of companies use metal detectors to pass internal and external audits, but if they aren’t working properly, then the packaging line could be as vulnerable to product contamination as it would be without metal detectors entirely. When starting your packaging assembly, you should take certain steps to test your metal detectors to avoid potential detecting errors or breakdowns.

Here’s a simple guide for testing your metal detecting machinery.

1. Perform a Test Run with Your Product

The first thing you should do when testing your equipment is make sure the product passes through the detector without resulting in a false reject. Whether your product is cereal, cheese, meat, paper, plastic pallets, or other types of food or nonfood items, your owner’s manual should help you with the correct setup to prevent false rejects.

 

2. Use a Metal Test Part in the Weakest Detection Spot

One of the best ways to test your equipment’s detecting abilities is to place a small metal sample part in the weakest detection area of packaging. This helps make sure that the equipment is able to detect contaminants regardless of their place within product packaging. You can try placing the metal in various areas of the packaging as well, and test it multiple times to determine the equipment’s detection capacity. If you discover that the equipment is unable to locate the metal part anywhere within the packaging, you may need to readjust your metal detector or consider a different model.

3. Allow the Detector to Fully Reject Products

When performing a test run of your metal detector, you should let the equipment complete a full product reject to determine whether or not each part is working correctly. Flap gates, kickers, air blasts, retraction, and other devices may not perform their necessary function, which may indicate that replacements are required. Consult your operation manual to learn the correct settings for your application.

4. Test Equipment 10 Times

If you want to be sure that your metal detector is working the way it should, you should test multiple times. A good threshold for this is the passage of 10 packages through the equipment. If any of them result in rejection, it may either indicate actual product contamination or a potential mechanical problem, warranting investigation.

Testing Other Machinery in Your Production Line

Metal detectors are only a small final element of most production lines. To make sure your packaging equipment is performing optimally, you should perform test runs on all of your equipment. Form fill seal machinery, conveyors, freezers, and other types of packaging equipment in your facility may have mechanical issues that remain overlooked until a lack of productivity is noticed or breakdowns occur. Testing equipment regularly can help assure you that you’re production line isn’t suffering from any potential weaknesses in performance.

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Purchasing Used Pet Food Packaging Machinery

Dry and wet pet food requires top-quality packaging machinery to make sure that the product doesn’t spoil prior to selling. High Performance Packaging carries reliable used packaging machinery for many different products, including pet food. To help avoid costly and frustrating breakdowns, we only carry brands known for manufacturing pet food packaging machines with long-lasting materials and state-of-the-art design.

With one or more of our pet food packaging machines installed in your facility, you’ll benefit from improved productivity for years to come.

Weighing Equipment

One of the most important steps in pet food packaging is weighing the product to ensure consistency of product filling. Some of the reliable brands we carry include Yamato, Ishida, and Woodman. These brands are reputable because of their products’ top-level construction, and their used units can provide for many years of additional use. We offer weighing machines for production lines of varying speeds to improve efficiency and accuracy when weighing products.

VFFS Bagging Machinery

Proper bagging is another vital element in pet food packaging. Pet food products need bagging that can avoid damage and keep products unexposed to contaminants. Some of the brands we carry to provide reliable bagging include Hayssen, Matrix, Ishida, and Woodman. Like our other equipment, different types of VFFS packaging machines are available according to application requirements, including speed and packaging type.

Sealing and Palletizing Machines

Once pet food goes through the weighing and bagging process, sealing is required to further prevent product spoilage. Brands such as 3M Matic are trusted for their sealing capabilities, which is why we carry their used models. For bulk packaging, we also offer several top brands of palletizing equipment to install in your facility, including Orion, ARPAC, and Wulftec.

Benefits of Purchasing Used Pet Food Packaging Machines

Newer models of pet food packaging equipment may seem more appealing, but you can save money and benefit from other services when purchasing used models from a reseller. Buying used equipment from a company like High Performance Packaging can help ensure that your production line gets the attention it needs to give you consistent results.

In addition to reliable used equipment that our experts have determined is in working condition, we offer supplemental services that can improve the performance and efficiency of your entire production line. We offer operator training, performance improvement, OEE programs, preventative maintenance, and line start-up services to make sure you get the most out of your purchases.

If you want a quote for any of our pet food packaging machines or additional technical details, contact us at any time. If you have another application that requires packaging machines, we offer a wide range of used equipment for many types of products. Our inventory includes HFFS and VFFS equipment, inspection equipment, and other types of equipment that can package food or nonfood products. When looking for suitable machinery, our knowledgeable team of packaging experts can help you choose the right equipment for your facility, and assist with installation and operation.

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Finding the Right Used Cereal Packaging Machinery

Like other dry foods, cereal requires top-quality packaging equipment that can properly handle and package it while maintaining efficiency throughout the packaging process. To meet the needs of various types of cereal products, there are several types of packaging machines you should install in your facility. High Performance Packaging carries used packaging machines intended for this application, with some of the most reliable brands appearing in our inventory.

In-Line Multihead Weighers

One of the common types of cereal packaging equipment is a multihead weigher. With the right model installed in your facility, your production line will benefit from additional accuracy in when weighing product packaging. Whether you require weighing at higher or lower speeds, High Performance Packaging carries top multihead weigher brands, including Ishida, Combi, and Yamato.

 

For larger applications, integrating a system of multiple multihead weighers with other cereal packaging machines–including VFFS baggers–can maximize efficiency.

VFFS Bagging Equipment

Another type of machinery cereal packaging lines often utilize is a VFFS bagger. With trusted brands such as Hayssen and Ilapak integrated in your production line, your facility can experience consistent quality in the bagging process, with options for low- to high-speed production lines.

 

Used VFFS bagging machinery available at High Performance Packaging is compatible with other types of equipment we carry, giving you the ability to form a complete, long-lasting packaging assembly.

Vacuum Sealing Machinery

To prevent cereal from going stale in its packaging, an effective vacuum sealer is needed to remove air from cereal bags. Along with weighers, VFFS baggers, and other types of dry food packaging machines, we carry used vacuum sealers from top brands such as MTC and Ultravac.

Benefits of Used Cereal Packaging Equipment

When looking for top-quality cereal packaging machinery, buyers may look for new models because of their perceived better quality. However, used cereal packaging machines from the right reseller can give your production line the efficiency and speed that it needs at lower costs. Companies like High Performance Packaging will ensure that your packaging assembly avoids breakdowns and potentially costly downtime, with high-quality equipment and additional services.

Each piece of equipment in our inventory is assured to be in working condition. Our experts closely inspect and test machinery to make sure you receive equipment that can provide years of service. To help further avoid technical issues, we offer a selection of services to supplement your purchase. Our services include operator training, preventative maintenance scheduling, performance improvement, and line start-ups to keep your production line in prime condition.

For additional technical information about our cereal packaging machinery along with a free quote for any of our products, contact us today. We also carry a wide range of equipment for other applications, with a selection of conveyors, fillers, inspection machines, and more. We can help you combine multiple pieces of equipment to form a cohesive assembly that keeps your packaging facility efficient and inexpensive.

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Buying Used Frozen Pizza Packaging Machines

Like other types of frozen foods, frozen pizza requires high-quality packaging that maintains freshness until the consumer accesses the product. Contrary to what some may initially believe, used frozen pizza packaging machines can provide the same efficiency and level of quality as new equipment. Equipment that has seen prior use can still offer years of additional utilization if properly restored and maintained.

Reduce Expenses on Frozen Pizza Packaging Equipment

When building a new frozen pizza production line or improving one that already exists, purchasing new packaging equipment can consume much of your budget depending on how many units you need in your facility. Used packaging equipment, including packaging machines used for frozen pizza, can lower these costs and provide the same productivity as newer machines. Production line managers can use money saved to improve other areas of the facility or expand it to meet space requirements.

In many cases, top brands of used packaging equipment are available at the same prices as new units from lesser-known brands. This way you can get machinery from brands known for high-quality, long-lasting products instead of choosing less reliable equipment simply to save money.

Additional Benefits of Used Machinery

Other than reduced costs, there are other benefits that come with used frozen pizza packaging machines. If you turn to the right company, you can get machinery that has undergone thorough inspection at the hands of trained technicians for quality assurance, along with a host of other services to make sure your production line remains consistently productive.

Some of the available technical services a company may provide include machine operator training, preventative maintenance programs, OEE programs, performance improvement, and line start-ups. High-quality machinery combined with these services can help ensure that your facility is as profitable as it can be, with minimal risk of breakdowns and expensive downtime. For instance, operator training can give your staff the knowledge needed to effectively control and monitor each piece of equipment, while preventative maintenance schedules help make sure that worn parts are caught before mechanical malfunctions. Line start-ups can get your facility up and running quickly to give you the results you want from your production line.

Get Used Machinery at High Performance Packaging

If you want used frozen pizza packaging equipment that can contribute in your production line for years, consider getting used machines from High Performance Packaging. We carry several types of equipment that is commonly used for frozen pizza products, such as flow wrappers and vacuum sealers. Many different industry-leading brands are available in our inventory at low prices, including Ilapak, Ultravac, Ishida, Hayssen, and Arpac. Prior to putting units up for sale, our team of experts inspects each unit we receive to make sure it’s in excellent working condition.

We offer a selection of technical services to further improve your production line beyond installation of newly units. If you would like to learn more about these services, get technical information for any of our products, or receive a free quote, contact us today.