James P. Navin, president of Spee-Dee Packaging Machinery Inc., announced that the company’s recently expanded corporate headquarters houses a comprehensive factory acceptance testing center. “Spee-Dee is dedicated to assisting our customers integrate the most productive and cost-effective solutions for their unique packaging challenges,” he said. “Our facility enables us to more closely simulate how equipment will perform once it is fully operational within their facilities – before a purchasing commitment is made.”

According to Timm Johnson, vice president sales/marketing, the testing area offers design features to accommodate a variety of product, materials and equipment. “We are able to contain dangerous and/or dusty product through the use of full dust collection equipment and plastic curtains that close off the testing area. In addition, hot and cold water with a drainage system allow equipment to be washed within the testing area.”

The testing process is further enhanced through the integration of a second-floor mezzanine. Particulate products are efficiently raised utilizing a Frazier bucket elevator, while powders are transported via a PIAB vacuum conveyor. The spaciousness of the site permits complementary packaging equipment to be utilized, such as vertical form fill seal machines, conveyors, check weighers, and infeed systems, to form a fully operational packaging line. For added customer convenience, Spee-Dee maintains a sizeable tooling inventory and stores sample product on-site.
   
Darin Ides, sales application specialist, is responsible for the efficiency and accuracy of the evaluation process. An experienced industry professional, he is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stout Packaging program. Ides coordinates every aspect of the testing process, including acquisition of product and containers, testing, and results documentation.
     
For more information, visit www.spee-dee.com.