Bosch Packaging Technology: Sweet smell of success

You always remember your first Love Heart and for many, these unforgettable sweets with embossed messages are an indelible part of childhood. Behind these and many other top-selling treats is Swizzels Matlow, a UK success story with an 80-year legacy of confectionery delight, with more than 550 employees and sales in excess of € 84 m not only in the UK and Europe, but all across the world. Based at a picturesque, former textile factory in New Mills, Derbyshire, Swizzels knows the key to future success is reinvention of its popular ranges – and continued innovation for its production lines. In 2012 the company launched Squashies, an exciting new confectionery range where its favourite brands, Love Hearts, Drumsticks, New Refreshers, and Double Lollies, are transformed into delicious squashy gum formats. Available in four pillow bag sizes ranging from 20 grams to 160 grams, the confectioner needed to ramp up production to meet growing demand.
Enter the first packaging robot at New Mills in the form of a Bosch Packaging Technology Paloma D2 Top Loader. With a robust proven design and high efficiency, the Paloma uses three vision-guided high speed Delta robots to ensure impeccably packaged products at a reduced cost per pack. This new solution replaced a drop-load system, allowing up to three streams of product to arrive from the vertical bagger and be packed directly into display cases.

Results were instant

According to Paul Harvey, head of operations at Swizzels, “Bosch made certain they understood our business needs and confirmed the Paloma was the best suited solution. Implementation on site was excellent – and we were up and running ahead of schedule.” Results were instant. The new Paloma robotic solution boosted output by 20 percent with the ability to package 360 bags per minute while also allowing a 24/7 operation instead of the previous 2-shift operation. As all pack sizes could be handled by the same machine, the Paloma also saved floor space – a precious commodity in Swizzels’ factory. Jeremy Dee, Managing Director at Swizzels, was impressed, “The new Bosch machine is fast and inspiring. It also assures output, which is important to us with this new fast-selling range.” The robotic solution was well accepted by its workforce who was excited to see the machine in operation. The move also showed Swizzels was investing in the company’s – and their – future.
Marc de Vries, sales manager at Bosch Packaging Technology, agrees, “We are really happy to see such an impressive result for Swizzels with this project. It’s a great demonstration of how companies can leverage robotic automation to meet demand and generate competitive advantage. While this is Swizzels’ first Delta robotic packaging solution, we are looking forward to developing our relationship and to helping them achieve further growth.” For the makers of perennial favourites Love Hearts, it seems the Bosch Delta robots are definitely the beginning of a strong and rewarding partnership.