Multinational manufacturing company Tramper Technology from the Netherlands only established its South African company in Somerset West, Western Cape a short five years ago. However, in this period, the local business has made a real difference for its parent company and in the local engineering community as a high-quality CNC machining company.
“The South African company was established to market, manufacture and service an extensive range of customised packaging machines and entire production lines for the food and packaging industry,” explained Jacobs.
Multinational manufacturing company Tramper Technology from the Netherlands markets, manufactures and services an extensive range of customised packaging machines and entire production lines for the food and packaging industry. The company established its South African subsidiary in Somerset West, Western Cape a short five years ago. In the picture is a Tramper S-340, a servo-driven tray sealing machine that enables you to pack your products in a professional manner
“Tramper Technology pushes the boundaries of technology, efficiency and reliability. The solid foundation for this was laid in 1986 by Peter Tramper. In the past years, we have developed into an international expert in the field of stand-alone and complete packaging solutions for the food industry. We are a real family business with more than 35 years of experience, a strong focus on innovation and have a dedicated team and partners in various parts of the world. This enables us to deliver robust and reliable machines and packaging lines to customers on every continent,” continued Jacobs.
Innovative packaging solutions
“Although Tramper Technology started out by supplying machines for the shellfish industry, our packaging lines are now used in all areas of the food industry. Not only in various industries, but also in more than countries. We closely observe market developments and challenge one another as a team to come up with and realise innovative packaging solutions on a daily basis. Thanks to our unstoppable drive and focus on creativity, reliability and technical perfection, we can work together on the practical aspects of today and the innovation of tomorrow,” said Jacobs.
In-house
“All packaging solutions are developed and built in-house. Our professionals have access to high-quality tools and machines and combined with solid craftsmanship, this ensures that we produce the best possible packaging lines,” said sales engineer Cobus Jacobs, who looks after the marketing and sales of Tramper Technology’s products and services in South Africa.
Among the machines on the floor Tramper Technology has three Hermle milling machines with two of them equipped with a pallet changer. The Hermle C30UP, C40U and C50UP models have traverse paths from 650mm x 650mm x 500mm up to 1 000mm x 1 100mm x 750mm, maximum vertical table clearances from 530mm for the C30UP up to 750mm for the C50UP and maximum table loads of 1 000kg for the C30UP and 2 000kg for the C50UP
“With excellent design, state-of-the-art technology and attention to detail Tramper Technology produces machinery for operations such as denesting, filling, tray sealing and lidding.”
“We are also able to offer the complete turnkey service. For example, we can seamlessly integrate peripheral machines like labelling or printing units. In addition, we also supply product supply systems and mezzanines, including bin elevators, conveyors and multihead weighers. If you have a complete packaging project in mind, we can find the perfect solution together.”
“Some of the industries that we are active in include the bakery, fruit and vegetables, ready meals, snacks, seafood, meat, meat substitutes and dairy industries.”
“Products are at their best when they are fresh. Packaging plays an important part in maintaining this. Packaging under MAP (modified atmosphere packaging) conditions can have a positive influence on the shelf-life and quality for a variety of products. Our tray sealing machines are fully equipped to achieve this!”
“The Tramper Technology Group covers all aspects that come into play for the realisation of high-quality packaging solutions for the food industry. From engineering and manufacturing to sales and servicing. Every single day, our innovative top sealing lines pack millions of (fresh) food products throughout the entire world.”
Western Cape
“Our location in the Western Cape was established to boost the capacities required to keep up with the increasing demand and further expands the sales network of Tramper Technology in Africa,” continued Jacobs.
The South African company was setup as a CNC machining operation to supplement the component requirements for assembly in the Netherlands. This is still the major focus locally but the local subsidiary has made such an impression that they are now designing tooling sets and components and have started to fabricate, assemble, install and service machines locally
“Tramper Technology’s owner Peter Tramper has a strong affiliation with South Africa and when the time came to further expand the company’s manufacturing capacity and capabilities he looked no further. At first he setup the South African company as a CNC machining operation to supplement the component requirements for assembly in the Netherlands. This is still the major focus locally but we have made such an impression that we are now designing tooling sets and components and have started to fabricate, assemble, install and service machines locally.”
Parts manufacturing: turning and milling, including 5-axis
“In our mechanical production department the actual foundation is laid for the machines that we build. All components that are required for a specific machine are manufactured and finished with utmost precision.”
“From large structures to small, refined products, which may consist of different materials. Top of the range CNC machines are used for turning and milling operations, including 5-axis.”
“Among our machines on the floor we have three Hermle milling machines with two of them equipped with a pallet changer. The Hermle C30UP, C40U and C50UP models have traverse paths from 650mm x 650mm x 500mm up to 1 000mm x 1 100mm x 750mm, maximum vertical table clearances from 530mm for the C30UP up to 750mm for the C50UP and maximum table loads of 1 000kg for the C30UP and 2 000kg for the C50UP.”
Tramper Technology in South Africa have invested in a new Mazak Quick Turn 100MSY (300U) CNC turning center that brings together advanced technology, productivity and value to deliver exceptional performance. Supplied by Hi-Tech Machine Tools the machine has a maximum swing diameter of 580mm, a maximum turning diameter of 280mm and a maximum turning length 310mm
The company also has a Mazak SQT-200M CNC lathe that has a maximum swing diameter of 520mm, a maximum turning diameter of 300mm and a maximum turning length 850mm on the floor
“All three of these machines were first used in the Dutch headquarters before they were sent to us when we began operating in South Africa. As far as we know there are in total four Hermle CNC machines in South Africa. We have three of them and the other is located up the road at Stellenbosch University.”
“Another machine that helped us get machining and was sent from the Netherlands is our Mazak SQT-200M CNC lathe that has a maximum swing diameter of 520mm, a maximum turning diameter of 300mm and a maximum turning length 850mm.”
New Mazak Quick Turn 100MSY (300U) CNC turning center
“All of our other machines have been ‘second hand’ machines but in near perfect factory condition. This time around we have been able to invest in a new Mazak Quick Turn 100MSY (300U) CNC turning center that brings together advanced technology, productivity and value to deliver exceptional performance. Supplied by Hi-Tech Machine Tools the machine has a maximum swing diameter of 580mm, a maximum turning diameter of 280mm and a maximum turning length 310mm.”
“The majority of the materials that we machine are food grade stainless steel and aluminium. For all the components that we machine for the Netherlands this is a must. Our close relationship with our parent company allows us to import precision milled tooling-plate aluminium that is not available locally.”
Fabrication and assembly
“This department is where it all comes together, from welding of frames to assembly of sealing moulds – moulds that we have manufactured locally. At this stage we cannot justify laser cutting and bending so these processes are outsourced. But it won’t be long before we will be looking at bringing these processes inhouse. We are acquiring an aluminium welding machine in the coming month to supplement our MIG and TIG welding capabilities.”
Two of the Hermle milling machines are equipped with a pallet changer
The company imports precision milled tooling-plate aluminium and block that is not available locally and where necessary cuts-to-size on an Amada bandsaw
“We are also building equipment like platforms, washing walls, hand railings and stairs, complete infeed systems, complete end of line distribution systems, bin elevating systems and many more.”
“It is also important to note that we are designing, manufacturing and assembling machines to meet local conditions with an international influence. Europe has strict requirements that have to be met when food is involved, especially fresh food, and all of these design and manufacturing components are incorporated.”
Dynamic young team
Operations Manager Evert Smith takes up the conversation: “We have put together a dynamic team of young and hungry individuals. We have a great mix of mechanical engineers, industrial software engineers, mechanical design engineers and electronic engineers. All of us, besides being able to work theoretically are also equally at home on the equipment on the floor, whether it be the welding equipment or the CNC machines. We therefore train young people within our company and guide them towards becoming an expert in the field.”
The company is acquiring an aluminium welding machine to supplement its MIG and TIG welding capabilities
Components manufactured locally and the containers that are sealed on the various machines manufactured by Tramper Technology
“Our software engineers are busy with the development of a second generation PLC control system for our packaging machines and other real time operating systems. Together we have also designed products and components that are now being manufactured in the Netherlands. This is over and above the moulds and tooling that we are designing and manufacturing locally and then sending to the Netherlands.”
Third party designing and machining
“There is great capacity and quality in the machines on our shopfloor. Being as proactive as we are we have for the last year actively been seeking third party work. We have been successful in the aerospace and water treatment industries but we are not limited to these industries. A great example of our success was the design and manufacture of a nozzle for a client that was previously having them manufactured in Australia. The nozzle is machined on the Mazak Quick Turn 100 CNC turning center and because of the smooth cut it achieves on the inside of the nozzle the product is now 40% more efficient. We are now manufacturing all of that company’s nozzles.”
“We are a relatively new company in South Africa but we have the influence of international standards and know-how. Our engineers have access to high-quality tools and machines and combined with solid craftsmanship, this ensures that we produce the best possible product.”
For further details contact Tramper Technology SA on TEL: 087 470 0467 or visit www.trampertechnology.co.za
