Signed at the end of November, the deal has made Friedheim the first UK company to offer Heripack kit, including the HVR500 box void reduction machine, which detects the filled height of a box, then trims and lids it to the correct height.

“We often find customers approaching us for solutions because they know we have a large portfolio,” Darren Crane, managing director of Hemel Hempstead-based Friedheim International told Printweek.

“This particular agency was the result of enquiries about low-cost, accessible automation – and subsequently automation of processes which are often overlooked, such as the sealing of packed boxes.”

Approaching Heripack at a large European packaging exhibition, Friedheim managed to bring the German manufacturer on board – an “important strategic step” for Heripack, according to Danny Zwetzschler, the company’s chief sales officer.

“Through the partnership with Friedheim, we can introduce our entire portfolio, including innovative machines such as the Volumenreduzierer [void reduction machine] HVR for e-commerce, into the UK market,” he told Printweek.

“Heripack offers machines for the entire end-of-line packaging process, including carton erectors, sealers, filling machines, and palletising systems. With over 45 years of experience in mechanical engineering and an exceptionally high level of in-house manufacturing, we ensure high-quality and durable solutions.

“We aim to make innovative and sustainable packaging technologies available worldwide, and the deal with Friedheim brings us closer to this goal by enabling broad distribution of our portfolio in the UK.”

This latest portfolio addition follows Friedheim securing a distribution deal with German pharmaceutical folder specialist GUK earlier this year.