Arodo is the only packing machine manufacturer in the world that can package products such as cement using vacuum technology. This is also something that did not escape the attention of Reader Cement in the UK. Reader specializes in blending and packaging cement products for the British cement industry. Within the context of their evolution, growth, and the optimization of the packaging processes, Reader searched for technology to vacuum pack their products in plastic bags. Thus, the honor was given to Arodo and its vacuum technology ...
Bagging cement: intelligent change of course
The history of Reader Cement Products Ltd. goes back to 1985 when the company initially supplied cement to the British Coal Mining Industry for various purposes and under the auspices of the then Langley Mining Cement Systems Ltd. This was a major success for 10 years before the coal industry went into serious decline. A switch in focus was required, and the order book started to fill with civil engineering projects. Reader’s products and expertise particularly suited water and sewer construction, as was clearly demonstrated by the Orwell and Hull projects. Their excellent work did not go unnoticed by several large players, being the perfect boost for Reader’s branding and market position.
In 2005, however, the civil engineering market also started to wane. Opportunities again arose elsewhere over this period. Small cement companies asked for support for their cement production and cement bagging. This was a unique opportunity for Reader. Reader developed a cement mix formula for Dragon Cement, the start of an innovative post-mix at the forefront of the British DIY market. The old packaging line was inadequate for the next phase: packaging the products in 20kg recyclable plastic bags.
Cement packaging machines: packing cement in plastic bags
“We wanted to utilize more user-friendly and recyclable materials, such as plastic, for our cement packaging,” explains Mike Fowles-Smith, sales director at Reader. “Following Board approval, we required powder filling machines that could package cement products faster and more efficiently in plastic bags. We investigated several different technologies Arodo’s solution and technology came out head and shoulders above its competitors; their technical support and service are of the highest level – these were key criteria that assured us Arodo cement packaging technology could deliver the most for our clients”.
Ultimately, Reader ordered a total of four cement powder packaging lines, with a cement packaging machine, two palletizers, and one stretch hooder. Everything was installed exactly according to plan.
The technology operating at Reader in Pinxton (Nottinghamshire) is the unique AROVAC® technology for vacuum cement packaging. The results proved outstanding to Reader. “We pack around 2,000 bags an hour before it was just 200 bags an hour”, said Jason Key, operations manager. “Plastic bags on a roll are also less expensive to buy, and this makes a big difference too. But most importantly: our cement products are packed air-tight and waterproof, in perfect square packages. This is good for clean storage and longer shelf life.”
Reader thoroughly tested 100% waterproofing of the 20kg bags by leaving plastic cement bags in a tank among some fish for several weeks. The water stayed perfectly clean, and the fish appeared healthy.
Mike Fowles-Smith: “During a show at UK Construction Week, we had a fish tank on our stand to show the world what a fantastic system we have thanks to Arodo.”
What about the future? The demand for post-mix in recyclable plastic bags is on the increase, the production capacity is just about up to its limit. Reader is now considering further expansion of the cement packing machines.