Delivering packaging excellence: How Big Easy Blends improved quality with packaging automation
August 8, 2023
You heard that right.
Our decades of experience told us that, for their unique application, the packing equipment would not run efficiently and produce the results they desired. Exceeding expectations is more than just giving the customer what they want.
So we worked together with Big Easy Blends to find a workable packaging solution with transparency and collaboration.
Here's their story:
Business Background
Big Easy Blends is a renowned beverage company that specializes in creating and distributing high-quality, flavorful drink blends. Founded in 2007, the company is based in Louisiana and has gained a strong reputation for its commitment to providing refreshing and delicious beverage options to consumers.
With a focus on capturing the vibrant and diverse flavors of New Orleans, Big Easy Blends offers a wide range of beverage products that cater to various tastes and preferences. Their product portfolio includes fruit-based smoothies, iced coffees, tea blends, and specialty drinks inspired by the rich culinary heritage of the region.
Additionally, the company places a strong emphasis on quality control throughout their production process, ensuring that every blend meets their rigorous standards of excellence.
Packaging Challenges
Big Easy Blends was experiencing issues related to manual packaging, including:
- Wrinkled, crooked, or incomplete seams when hand sealing
- Illegible date/lot codes
- Increasing labor costs
- Inconsistent package piece counts
They knew they needed to add automation to their packaging process and had a great deal of experience shopping for machinery.
Growing weary of purchasing packaging equipment from non-US-based companies with dubious reputations, Sal LaMartina, CEO of Big Easy Blends, appreciated knowing exactly who they were purchasing from.
“In the past, our company has had packaging equipment buying experiences with companies based outside the United States…you talk to somebody on WhatsApp not knowing if they really exist," comments LaMartina. "With Viking Masek it was the opposite: My brother had a chance to meet with the Owner at Viking Masek in person himself.”
Strategy & Solution
After collaborating with Viking Masek’s expert team, Big Easy Blends purchased two 8S-285 premade pouch packing machines configured to meet their liquid product specifications. They paired the packaging machines with robotic pick and place infeeds and conveyors to create two complete integrated packaging systems.
Read more about Big Easy Blends' experience in their case study:
