Packaging Automation Ltd (PA) has announced its latest move to promote the company overseas with the appointment of PMD Packaging Systems as its distribution agent in Africa. This follows the tray sealing equipment manufacturer’s successful four-year partnership with MPI in Australia and is part of an ongoing strategy to open up new markets worldwide.

Based in Johannesburg, PMD Packaging Systems designs and manufactures its own range of processing and packaging equipment, as well as being distribution agents for a number of leading companies in the machinery sector.

PA's sales manager Neil Ashton said: “It is clear that there is huge potential in the African market and we have already supplied equipment directly to companies like Blue Skies and AAA Growers. Many companies are packing at source and tray sealing is becoming more and more prevalent as it allows suppliers to pack goods into retail format where costs are low, before being distributed directly to retailers ready for sale. Delivery times and costs are reduced making this a cost effective way forward for many companies.”

He added: “As with MPI in Australia, this is what we will be offering the African market alongside our robust, well designed equipment range which has a machine suitable for all levels of production.”

A PA182 Mk3 tray sealer, supplied to PMD for demonstration and display purposes earlier this year, attracted a lot of interest at the 2007 Propak South Africa exhibition, and PA is already receiving enquiries.

PMD Packaging Systems was formed in 1967 specifically to build packaging machinery locally. A short while later the company saw the opportunity to sell important equipment to the same client base. The company is a small but highly specialised firm servicing the market in Sothern Africa with a factory and offices in Johannesburg, and sales offices in Cape Town and Durban.