Multivac UK Packaging & Processing Forum: focusing on automation and cost-efficiency
Automation, efficiency, and sustainability were the major themes driving this year’s Multivac UK Packaging & Processing Forum, which convened industry leaders at the company’s state-of-the-art Innovation Centre in Swindon on October 2nd and 3rd.
The exclusive two-day event provided beverage professionals with a hands-on look at the cutting-edge technologies and full-line solutions designed to tackle the rising cost of business in 2025, from labour and energy expenses to packaging taxes.
A highlight of the forum was the official launch of the Compact Series, a powerful new range of space-saving equipment — including the R 085 Thermoformer and S 300 Slicer — engineered for agility and growth among start-ups and scale-ups.
Alongside live machinery demonstrations, attendees gained strategic insights from keynotes on UK food trends from Worldpanel by Numerator and enjoyed a relaxed Oktoberfest evening dinner, which featured a special guest appearance from former England cricketer and TV personality, Phil Tufnell.
Provisur and Multivac unveil seamless full-line solutions
Provisur Technologies and Multivac showcased the combined power of their new cooperation agreement by demonstrating two fully automated lines designed to maximise precision and profitability for UK processors.
The integrated systems were the main attraction at the Packaging & Processing Forum, a customer event held from October 2-3, 2025, at the Multivac UK Innovation Centre in Swindon.
By marrying Provisur’s expertise in industrial food processing and legacy brands with Multivac’s authority in packaging and line automation, the partnership aims to deliver true plug-and-play solutions. The key to seamless integration? Both companies are leveraging the same software platform to ensure reliable performance and long-term value.
Boosting bacon yields with data-driven pressing
A major highlight was the integrated bacon line, which combines advanced pressing, slicing, and packaging modules.
The line featured the Hoegger X3 PRO Form Press, which incorporates ground-breaking load-sensing technology and a toolless quick-release die set. The servo-hydraulic system precisely shapes the meat into the ideal slicing form, a step critical for maximising yield.
Carl Green, head of engineering at Becketts Foods, a customer who attended the event, vouched for the technology’s impact. “After an intensive four-week trial comparing machines from Provisur and a leading competitor, Becketts confidently chose Provisur as their partner of choice,” Green stated. “The pressing result is consistent and clean, making downstream handling much more efficient.”
This pressing stage is connected to the Press-to-Slice Module, which utilises a 3D scanner and blue light sensor technology to weigh, scan, and align each product, optimising the workflow before it reaches the slicer. This precise portioning data ensures exact weights and higher yields.
The slicing was handled by the Formax SX550 high-speed twin lane slicer, built for demanding, high-throughput applications. Completing the full line was the MULTIVAC RX 4.0 Thermoformer. This X-line solution is perfectly matched to the Provisur slicer output, offering enhanced material efficiency, better shelf life, and seamless connection to the Multivac Cloud for advanced diagnostics and Smart Services.
Lewis Pascoe, product manager slicing at Multivac UK, emphasised the strategic benefit: “By combining MULTIVAC’s expertise in automation and packaging with Provisur’s slicing technology, we can deliver complete solutions that raise performance, yield and efficiency. This ensures long-term success.”
Flexibility and high yield in complex slicing
The forum also showcased the Free Movement System (FMS) line, demonstrating high yield and versatility for medium-sized operations. This line featured the Formax SX380 slicer, ideal for products of different lengths or uneven shapes, paired with the pioneering Formax Free Movement System (FMS).
The FMS, a compact and hygienic handling system, uses free-floating movers on an electromagnetic surface to seamlessly glide product portions from the slicer to the packager. This innovation is especially valuable for complex product applications requiring high flexibility.
The portions were packaged using the MULTIVAC W 510 Flow Wrapper, which achieves up to 120 packs per minute with a flowpacking speed of up to 30 m/min. The flow wrapper’s high degree of automation and accessible design further supports easy maintenance and reliable operation.
Beyond the machinery, both companies stressed their commitment to full-spectrum customer support, with Provisur offering its Innovation Center (PIC) for testing and Multivac providing its comprehensive Custom Care solutions globally, ensuring customers benefit from long-term operational excellence. The joint event marked a significant milestone, setting new industry standards for integrated processing and packaging.
