Customer Story: Innovative Automation at Snackmaster

Existing capacities are reaching their limits, creating demand for smart, compact solutions that facilitate process automation and digital connectivity. Together with its parent company Schne-frost, Snackmaster strives to raise quality assurance and efficiency to new heights. Based on its long-standing partnership, the company is once again relying on solutions from Wipotec – while at the same time laying the foundation for future-oriented applications such as in-line marking with QR codes.

The collaboration between Snackmaster and Wipotec goes back many years. Systems that were installed over 18 years ago are still in use today – which is an exceptionally long service life. Engineering “Made in Germany” makes this possible, with the majority of components being manufactured in-house. This not only ensures above-average long-term spare parts availability, but also comes with reliable service, which Ralf Bistritzky, Deputy Technical Manager at Snackmaster, highlights as a particularly positive aspect. This proven foundation was a key reason for addressing current automation and digitalization topics together with Wipotec, as Plant Manager Sükrü Celebi confirms.

“We chose Wipotec because we need a reliable partner for the future.”

Sükrü Celebi, Plant Manager

Quality assurance is a major driver for automation: Printing best-before dates and batch information, print inspection, metal detection, checkweighing, and triple ejection. What was previously spread across several devices from different suppliers is now combined in a single control system, which is the Wipotec TQS solution. This saves space, simplifies setup, is quicker to use, and makes even complex tasks such as camera inspection much easier. “We retrofitted cameras on several lines ourselves. Training and programming them for different products involves many challenges. With Wipotec, all of this is already integrated, making it much simpler,” Ralf Bistritzky explains.

“The functions are optimally combined in a compact machine length.”

Ralf Bistritzky, Deputy Technical Manager

The higher and reliable print quality now also enables in-line printing of high-resolution 2D codes with variable data – a forward-looking topic. “Retailers have already asked us whether our lines are ready to print 2D codes, for example for best-before dates. So far, we can only do this on the line equipped with TQS,” says Bistritzky.

“The fact that users can log in with their RFID chip gives us the advantage that everyone has optimal level of access,” Ralf Bistritzky reports from practical experience. All authorizations are managed via the login at the RFID reader on the Wipotec systems – from the user interface to the locking of the reject bin.

The Comscale software will help Snackmaster simplify collaboration and connectivity with its parent company in the future. Processes and statistics from machines, lines, and sites are centralized and made transparent, providing valuable insights to further enhance quality assurance and efficiency.

Snackmaster looks back on many years of trusted collaboration with Wipotec. “We always have a dedicated contact person, receive fast support, and benefit from short communication paths,” emphasizes Sükrü Celebi. For Snackmaster, Wipotec is not just a reliable supplier, but also a partner with whom future steps in automation, connectivity, and quality assurance will be pursued.

“I give Wipotec my full recommendation — a perfect 10 out of 10.”

Ralf Bistritzky, Deputy Technical Manager