It promises to be an exciting year of milestones for SOMIC Packaging, Inc. The Minneapolis area company will soon recognize its tenth anniversary and is experiencing rapid growth, with plans to move into new and larger headquarters this summer. 

A more immediate milestone is its first-time exhibition (booth 825) at CheeseExpo. The world’s largest cheese processing and whey show takes place April 16-18 at the Baird Center in Milwaukee. CEO Peter Fox plans to show executives the many machine options that have made SOMIC a cheese packaging industry leader, and he will discuss the excellent technical service and support the company is gaining a reputation for.

“Our business in North America is dominated by the cheese packaging industry, which accounts for nearly 60% of our machine installations,” he acknowledged. “We will be in Milwaukee to reinforce the message that SOMIC has the know-how and experience here and around the world. If you package cheese in flow packs, wrapped rounds, form fill seal, rigid cups, stand-up pouches, or anything else that is possible, the odds are great we currently pack that format somewhere in the world.”

SOMIC has a wide variety of machines in action at cheese manufacturing facilities throughout Canada and the United States. The SOMIC 424 TD (tray/cover) and 424 DT (cover/tray) case packing system are the prominent machine types for handling Shelf Ready Packaging. The SOMIC 424 W3 wraparound case packer model facilitates shipping cases and tear-apart case solutions. In general, many different formats can be packaged on the SOMIC platforms. The company’s proprietary toolless, quick-change technology ensures rapid format changes with high-speed collating and cartoning capacity.

The SOMIC ReadyPack debuted five years ago and was introduced as a lower output option to those new to automated packaging. Available as a tray or wraparound packer, it provides the same high quality and convenience of greater output machines and has helped many manufacturers make the transition from manual packaging. The space-saving machine offers tremendous value with a small footprint of just 70 square feet.

“Our machines maximize efficiency for any manufacturing operation. The physical size of the machines is one of the most important factors for us being a leader in the cheese category because we put them in places where others simply will not fit,” states Fox. 

“A small machine footprint uses less valuable space. Simple operational principles keep the machine running since it is easy to operate and understand. Wraparound style cases use less material than RSC, and our physical collation system provides the flexibility to pack products in flat or standing presentations. This flexibility extends to it being a wraparound, trays with cover, a club display, or whatever you need. All are possible on the same machine, and we have you covered for any future formats.”

In late 2023, SOMIC introduced the next generation 434 system. With advanced product sorting features and alignment technology, it provides greater versatility with more case sizes and larger arrangements for the grouping of end-of-line case, tray and carton packing products, adding to the features of the 424 platform.

“Versatility is another important factor with our machine platform. One SOMIC machine provides many options,” remarked Fox. “The next generation system with CORAS technology exemplifies user-friendliness and is a great choice for those needing a wider variety of format packaging solutions. Like the 424 machine, the SOMIC 434 accommodates any type of cheese packaging.”

Fox indicated the SOMIC team intends to update CheeseExpo attendees on the outstanding service capabilities SOMIC offers.

“Expert service and support is our number one focus, and we are continuing to build a stronger service team every day,” said Fox. “We have managed Factory Acceptance Testing of all our North American machines since mid-2022. With our upcoming move to larger headquarters, we plan to begin the manufacturing of new machines for our customers here. Service and support is more important than ever, so we have enhanced our capabilities with the addition of more technicians who work here in Minnesota or are remote-based throughout the country. We also have an educational program in place to continue strengthening our service and support department. 

To arrange a booth meeting with SOMIC, send an email to sales(at)somic.us or stop by at booth #825.