No time for a siesta

EXPO PACK 2005, co-located again with Procesa, the food and beverage processing machinery and equipment show, comes to the Centro Banamex in Mexico City, where more than 28,000 visitors will represent more than 18 countries. The show plays host to more than 700 exhibitors, showcasing packaging and processing machinery and components. Exhibitor displays are expected to occupy more than 135,00 sq ft of floor space.

The show floor will be open from 1 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, June 21 to 23. Hours on Thursday, June 24, are from 1 to 7 p.m.

This year, the show completely becomes a PACK EXPO brand. In 2004, with a 50-percent interest in the show already a part of its portfolio, the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI) bought the remaining 50-percent share owned by Oprex S.A. Under the agreement, Oprex continues to provide show-management services.

EXPO PACK celebrates its 20th anniversary with this 2005 edition. The initial show, held in 1985 and called Expopak of the Americas, was launched by Oprex in hopes of expanding the Mexican packaging industry, and it has seen continued growth throughout the years. Oprex partnered with PMMI in 1993, and that relationship was followed by promotional efforts with a number of Mexican packaging associations and the additions of international pavilions in 1997.

"We're proud of our efforts to create the leading packaging event serving the Latin American region," says Charles D. Yuska, president of PMMI. "Working closely with the team from Oprex, PMMI has been able to meet the needs of thousands of packaging professionals looking for innovative packaging solutions. For more information on the show, visit www.expopack.com.mx or call 703/243-8555.

Many of the following exhibitors have a marketing message in this issue.

Automated Packaging Systems—1613: AirPouch(tm) Express 3 void-fill system is a portable, benchtop unit that produces air pillows at speeds of more than 50 ft/min. Capable of both automatic and semi-automatic operation. Page 81.

B&H Labeling Systems—800: Marathon(tm) roll-fed labeler features SMARTdrive(tm) electronic drive train.

Bemis Mexico/Curwood—2617: Supplier of flexible packaging and p-s materials.

Berry Plastics—224: Manufacturer of open-top plastic containers. Child-resistant container line and a range of pry-off containers and industrial pails. Container sizes range from 4-oz. to 5-gallon capacity with lids, bails and handles available.

Columbia Machine—1209: New FL10 floor-level palletizer provides combination of speed and price for small production operations. Comes preprogrammed with easy-to-run, common palletizing patterns.

DVT—2200: Specializes in machine vision; offers large selection of industrial cameras, lenses and other accessories. Page 3.

Econocorp—1203: E-System 3000 automatic horizontal cartoner for moderate-speed applications. Can handle glue-seal-end or tuck-style folding cartons. Page 42.

FKI Logistex—1405: Automated material handling solutions include high-speed sortation, conveyor systems, palletizing and RFID implementation, among others. Page 39.

Flexicon—1701: Flexible screw and pneumatic conveyors, bulk-bag fillers and dischargers, more. Page 10

Hytrol Conveyor—414: Manufacturer of conveyors, conveying systems and accessories. Page 74.

Markem—1211: Supplier of product identification solutions including equipment, software, and services for food, beverage, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and more. Solutions include RFID applications. Pages 12, 38.

New England Machinery—1313: Unscrambling, capping and orienting systems. Page 42.

Nordson—1025: Precision dispensing equipment to apply adhesives, sealants and coatings. Page 21.

PakTech—122: Co. offers solutions for beverages and commodities such as ketchup, sauces, salsa, beauty products and oil. Page 36.

Paxton Products—2445: Blowers, air knives. Page 68.

Per-Fil Industries—1207: Micro-Filler is suitable for manual or automatic filling of quantities ranging from 5 g to 2 kg. Nano-Filler fills quantities from 25 mg to 15 g.

Tharo Systems—218: PA1200 label printer/applicator features automatic and semi-automatic configurations. Applies at up to 60 labels/min. Page 32.

Weighpack Systems—909: Bingo Bagger for automatic vacuum packing of premade wicketed bags. System offers PLC with touchscreen operator interface. Speeds range from 4 to 24 bags/min.

Zebra Technologies—2203: Bar code and RFID printers. Page 37.