Australian-born Foodmach is synonymous with delivering packaging applications around Australia. With a history spanning five decades and a staff compliment of around 100 people, Foodmach has become the ‘go-to’ for automation, robotics, integration, and turnkey packaging projects.
Foodmach has a solid reputation to uphold and looks for closely aligned suppliers that can deliver on quality, price, and lead time. Naturally, a great deal of trust is required in developing these relationships, as Ian Drummond, Head of Pneumatics for Foodmach explains: “As an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), we consider costs, availability and support. Support remains the most important factor; suppliers need to save us time. When we ring them up, they should be able to assist us in the shortest possible timeframe.”
Foodmach felt that SMC Corporation Australia New Zealand (ANZ) met the brief and first began working with the automation giant in 2015. The partnership was further solidified through a substantial sales drive and pricing strategy which included a high level of service promise.
“Initially, we turned to SMC as some of our clients’ had specified their pneumatic products, but over time we learned more about their range and realised that there wasn’t much that they couldn’t help us to achieve. We were also happy with their excellent sales and technical support teams” says Ian.
Big on Looks, Big on Performance
A business partnership takes years to establish and is founded on aligned values and trust. “I started working with Foodmach in 2015. Being locally based in Echuca (Northern Victoria) where their head office is located has its advantages. As Foodmach’s preferred pneumatics supplier, we have helped to progressively build the business to where it is today,” says Angus Christian, Area Sales Manager.
Recently, SMC launched the AC-D series - a new-generation mainline filtration range – more modular in design than its predecessor and even bigger on performance. “One of the key benefits is the reduced time needed to assemble and clean air service units.”
As the ‘heart of the factory’, air preparation is extremely important. Angus knew that the product would be perfectly suited to Foodmach’s machines and would ensure a uniform, modular design, improved flexibility and easy assembly. However, this was a brand-new product with no proven track record in Australia as yet; so the question remained: “Would Foodmach trust SMC enough to opt for the new product?”
Simply put: “Yes”.
“SMC works closely with our end users and partners to ensure that we offer products to meet their needs and markets. This is evident in our modifications to existing ranges and new product R&D.”
Robert Voisey, Control Systems Engineer at Foodmach says that the company embraces new technologies and stays abreast of new product developments at SMC. “The new AC-D series was no exception. Another great plus is that this series is readily available to order, saving us on lead times. It’s also easier to assemble and aesthetically appealing” he adds.
With the option to include safety components such as dual redundancy, air pressure monitoring and dump valves, Robert believes that the AC-D series delivers on scope and flexibility. “We now have a standard default on this series but we also appreciate the fact that we can ‘chop and change’ because it is modular and so easy to do. In addition, we keep our own stock to custom build as we need to.”
Weighing up Costs vs Efficiency
Responding to ever prevalent concerns around pricing, Robert believes that one has to weigh up a host of factors. “A component can be more expensive (to purchase) but lower in labour costs. With it becoming harder to find skilled labour, we opt for smarter componentry where possible.”
Another consideration is the risk involved in new product selection. “Factors such as whether the device is low-risk to change out, whether training is available and whether its tried and tested are generally considered. This series is easy to install and replace and very little training is required.”
Finally, Angus concludes saying that visitors to AUSPACK 2022 will have the opportunity to see the new series in action. “A wraparound case packer will be on display on the Foodmach stand incorporating the new AC-D series.”
Don’t forget to register to attend AUSPACK 2022 and visit SMC at Stand E140 and Foodmach at Stand E150 from 17 to 20 May 2022 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
