March 8, 2006
Production is moving into full swing at Hood Packaging's newest facility in Monticello, Arkansas. Since starting up with minimal equipment in January, more and more machines have been powered up. The most exciting start up was the brand new W&H AD 8310 pasted valve bottomer, linked inline with an existing W&H 2145 tuber.
In just two months time, the 8310 went from being parts in shipping crates to a fully operational bottomer. "All indications are that the 8310 will run at 300 bags per minute, as designed," says West Region General Manager Brad Gridley. "On the second shift after start up, the 8310 ran at over 300 bpm for a significant amount of time."
Installation on the second brand new W&H AD 8310 bottomer is nearly complete. This machine will link to an existing W&H 2145 tuber to complete the second inline pasted valve system for Monticello. Installation began the first week of March and is expected to be complete by mid-April.
Both W&H bottomers have multiple valve units and patch-bottom capabilities. Once installation is complete, the Monticello facility will have the leading edge technology in pasted valve bag capability.