Gateshead manufacturer goes global with new Australian contract

An Australian food and beverage product packaging company has strengthened its production capabilities with support from Gateshead designer and manufacturer Crabtree.

Crabtree has been a designer and manufacturer of metal decorating and retrofit machine enhancements and components from its North East site for over 50 years.

It has now enabled Interpack, which was established in 1979 and is a family-owned Australian manufacturer, to support its purchase and refurbishment of machinery.

The machine had been modified by its original owner, needing to be offsite immediately. It was selected to support Interpack’s aim of providing its customers with increased flexibility and turnaround.

Alan Rutter, senior director at Crabtree, said: “We have developed a close relationship with Interpack over the course of this project - which began from a short conversation and ‘just an idea’ - and are delighted to have supported the company on this initiative.

“The project has once again shown that our experienced team have the knowledge to successfully develop solutions that can optimise equipment of all ages, in the field.

“We look forward to continuing our work with Interpack through the provision of technical support, parts and training.”

Crabtree surveyed and decommissioned the machine in New Zealand, then developed a performance solution package, and recommissioned the machine into production on site in Australia.

Jason Jones, plant manager at Interpack, added: “From the initial decommissioning and commissioning stages Crabtree supported all aspects of the refurbishment and rebuild.

“We put Crabtree to the test with ordering new parts during the project and the response time was fantastic, right from the service desk and administration through to the machine shop and despatch.

“The skill, knowledge and professionalism of the engineers involved in the project were second to none. Crabtree also sent out a technician a couple of weeks after project completion to ensure that all issues were addressed - now that’s customer service!

“From the team at Interpack I would like to thank Crabtree for its efforts in making this project a complete success and driving Interpack’s business forward.”

Crabtree has experience to design, manufacture and project manage solutions in response to a client’s need, whether that is to improve quality, speed, overall performance or if there is an electrical or mechanical requirement.