Introducing Weedon Group
An independent, family-run business group, Weedon Group are a company that offers a holistic solution for all corrugated packaging requirements.
Weedon Group consists of three divisions:Â
Weedon PSC (Hednesford), which produces high quality printed packaging for the retail market (both on and off-shelf).
Weedon Corrugated (Audenshaw), which produces industrial and transit packaging products. They also produce sheet boards for their own use and for sale to other industries and i2ieurope.Â
i2ieuropea is a creative and packaging design agency that specialises in branded and own-label packaging. They’ve previously worked with some of the UK’s largest companies, including Asda, Tesco, Disney, Sony and Lindt.
For this project, we worked with their corrugated products business based in Audenshaw. They source the raw materials from independent paper mills around the world, ready for production in their warehouse facility which is then sold on to various industries.
A Specific Corrugated Strapping Machine
Weedon Corrugated Products required new strapping machines to replace their existing range, which spare parts and servicing were becoming increasingly difficult to obtain.
We were therefore able to provide two fully automated StraPack RQ-8CR/FB strapping machines in October 2016. 6 months later, having been impressed by the capabilities of the two machines, Weedon invested in another RQ-8CR/FB strapping machine which fits seamlessly into their automated line.Â
As shown below, the RQ-8CRFB 1650 x 500mm arch machines receive packs from the case makers, compress and then strap them automatically.
Photocells detect the pack size and 6 driven belts index packs to the correct position under the arch for strapping.Â
Gordian's Strapping Machines
The three new strappers were part of a wider plan of investment that saw Weedon install a Fosber dry end system for its in-house corrugator, boosting sheet board production.
The new machines have reduced the spending on spare parts and service call-out charges. Furthermore, the overall downtime has been significantly reduced, allowing the case makers to run with fewer interruptions, thereby improving overall production output.Â
Additionally, for production settings with high output requirements, the RQ-8CR/FB strapping machine is now available with a dual strap dispenser and automatic strap coil transfer system.
This newly developed system is designed to prevent any costly production stoppages due to strap coil changes.
Having been impressed with the stellar StraPack reputation, Weedon Corrugated had no hesitation in choosing to install the three RQ-8CR/FB strapping machines.
Moreover, with previous worries around spare part services, they could rest assured with the comprehensive Gordian engineering support – with 16 mobile service engineers across the country which is the most of any strapping company.Â
When asked about his experience with Gordian, Paul McCormack, Production Director, commented:
If you have any questions regarding our machinery, do feel free to contact a member of our team here.
