Partnership to expand Fox packaging solutions

Fox Solutions has partnered with JASA, a Netherlands-based leader in weighing and packaging automation, to bring integrated packaging and automation solutions to the U.S. produce market.

As one of only two authorized U.S. distributors for JASA, Fox Solutions will provide sales, service and parts support for JASA equipment, according to a news release.

Fox Solutions supports fresh produce packers across core commodities including potatoes, citrus and onions. Through the JASA partnership, Fox Solutions can now support full packing lines for expanded markets including leafy greens, fresh cut fruits, tomatoes, meat and poultry, and seafood, according to the release.

Integrated packaging system

Fox Packaging manufactures two formats that can now be produced on JASA machinery: Vertimesh, a vertical form fill seal (VFFS) bag with a film strip running through the center, and Vertifilm, a film-and-net VFFS structure that wraps film around a net bag. Both formats are designed to run without laminated films, and JASA equipment supports multiple configurations including gusseted bags and other styles without machine changeover.

Fox Solutions now offers JASA’s VFFS machinery, including the JASA 260 and NXXT models. The NXXT platform helps fresh produce packers achieve consistent fill weights, gentle product handling and the flexibility to run multiple bag formats on a single machine.

“There’s been a gap in the U.S. market for a packaging format that brings together film and net in one integrated solution,” Fox Solutions president Aaron Fox said in the release. “Partnering with JASA closes that gap. Our customers now have access to a system that handles multiple configurations, runs without laminated film, and delivers a package that performs at retail.”

Expanded sleever capabilities

The JASA Sleever applies pre-folded, pre-glued sleeves to square, rectangular, oval, and round trays, and is built around a cassette-based changeover system that allows operators to quickly switch between tray and sleeve configurations.

The sleever is built with stainless steel construction and hygienic designs. The double-lane PGS-2100 model reaches speeds of up to 100 packs per minute, while the compact footprint allows for straightforward integration into existing packing lines, according to the release.

The sleever expands Fox Solutions options to a broader set of packaging formats including topseal and lid trays, skinpack applications for meat and seafood, and fresh cut fruits, according to the companies.

“Our partnership with Fox Solutions represents an important step in expanding JASA’s presence in the U.S. market,” said Joost Somford, president of JASA Packaging Solutions Inc. of America. “By combining our proven VFFS technology with Fox’s deep understanding of customer needs, we are able to deliver flexible, sustainable packaging solutions that meet the evolving demands of fresh produce suppliers and retailers alike.”