R.A Jones Debuts Market-First Packaging Machinery at Pack Expo 2021, Enabling High-Speed Production of Recycle-Ready Packaging

While at PACK EXPO, R.A Jones showcased its future-ready packaging machinery, the Meridian XR MPS-300, customized to support The Bumble Bee Seafood Company’s major shift to a recycle-ready packaging format for multi-pack can products. The packaging equipment is the next evolution of R.A Jones’ multipacker for canned food and beverages, custom-built to replace Bumble Bee’s shrink wrap machines, in a market-first effort to package seafood multipacks with paperboard.

The Meridian XR was able to meet Bumble Bee’s needs of enhanced operational performance, speed and reliability because of the equipment’s high adaptability. Unique features of Meridian XR reportedly include a four-lane infeed for new packaging options and configurations, an air frame for reliable carton opening, integrated can count verification after loading, six- and 12-inch dual pitch transport, and more.

R.A Jones’ packaging equipment and technology consultation will fuel Bumble Bee’s bold sustainability goals, including a commitment to provide readily recyclable packaging, an action driven by consumer, customer and retailer support. Producing as many as 26 million multipacks (165 million cans) annually, Bumble Bee identified the shrink-wrapped product as an opportunity to continue to meet its commitment to keep plastic out of landfills and out of the ocean.

“Moving our multipacks from shrink wrap to paperboard was not a simple process, but as a company we felt strongly that it was the right change to make for our planet, our customers, our consumers and also for Bumble Bee as a category leader,” said Jan Tharp, president and CEO, The Bumble Bee Seafood Company. “Engaging with an experienced, values-driven OEM partner to guide our packaging format transition was integral to making this work, so partnering with R.A Jones was a natural next step.”

While enhancing product protection throughout the manufacturing process, the partnership’s packaging solution also equips Bumble Bee with an easier-to-read packaging opportunity for conveying product benefits to consumers at the store shelf.

The new paperboard multipacks are expected to launch in-stores as early as H1 2022.

For more information, visit https://www.rajones.com.