The new agreement will see Kern offering the Italian firm’s complete range of film packaging machines, and shrink tunnels.
Preferred Packaging manufactures a wide range of machinery including L-sealers, side sealers, sleeve wrappers, shrink tunnels, conveyors, cartoning machines and high-end vacuum packing lines, for a variety of food and non-food industries.
Clients include Del Monté, Coca-Cola, Tetra Pak and Findus.
Pete Jolley, general manager at Kern, told Packaging News the deal had been in the pipeline for the last six months and Kern had considered various manufacturers before choosing Preferred Packaging.
“Without doubt, we believe we can replicate the strong growth that Preferred Packaging has already achieved elsewhere in Europe and further afield, here in the UK.”
In addition to quality and price, he added that one of the main deciding factors in working with the company was its complete lines, from conveyors to film packaging and cartoning machines.
One of the first new markets the agreement has opened up for Kern in the UK is the tissue manufacturing industry, including kitchen roll, napkins or toilet roll.
“We now have the capability to offer a ‘one stop shop’ for total solutions. Key target markets include manufacturing, plastics, long products, the tissue industry, cosmetics and a range of paper products and print publications. One of the primary focuses for us will be the manufacturing industry followed closely by the tissue industry.
“Food markets will include the areas of fruit and vegetables and beverages. Across these markets the machines can deal with a vast range of packaging demands including shrink wrapping, modified atmosphere and vacuum packing,” he added.
