DHL Supply Chain has expanded its packaging services capability by investing in additional market-leading equipment at its Liverpool site.

The UK’s largest packaging services provider, DHL operates across 18 sites within the UK and Ireland, processing more than 21 million cases per annum.  To support its continuing growth and to help drive its expansion into contract manufacturing for the food industry, DHL recognised the need to review its quality management and safety control processes in line with food safety and quality standards, such as BRC.

As a result, DHL has invested in a second CW3 combination Checkweighing and Metal Detection unit. This equipment was provided by Loma Systems, official partner to the BRC global standards organisation, and gives DHL the ability to quickly and precisely check the weight of packed products. 

The CW3 unit also rejects any items ‘out of tolerance’, while the metal detector consistently detects and rejects contaminated product. Capable of handling packaged products of up to 5 kg with a market-leading accuracy class of 0.5g, the unit can inspect at speeds of up to 400 packs per minute.

Simon Woodward, Head of Packaging Services at DHL said: “There is no doubt that we have secured new business as a result of our investment in market-leading equipment such as the CW3. Many of our customers are high profile confectionery and biscuit manufacturers so the metal detector’s ability to quickly adapt to different products and pack sizes has been invaluable. This equipment also played a part in DHL achieving Grade A level BRC accreditation and becoming an approved M&S packer.”

As DHL continues to grow its contract packing capabilities across the UK and Ireland, equipment such as this will play an import role in ensuring its customers’ products retain their high quality throughout all processes.