Pricing for the SP42 system starts at around £50,000 and its 2sqm footprint makes it much smaller than conventional multi-vac or thermoforming machines, which range in length from 6m to 8m, according to Shawpak.

Shawpak was founded 18 months ago by parent company Riverside Medical to try and design a world-class thermoforming machine targeting fledgling contract packers.

Friedheim International packaging manager Martin Howells said: “Shawpak wants to expand from medical and pharma markets into non-food and consumer goods, which are our markets.

“Our primary target will be co-packers: the machine is ideal because of its ability to quick-change the tooling and the low cost of the tooling."

Shawpak is based in a purpose-built 1,200sqm office in Derby and Howells met the team at the PPMA Show last year.

“The machine's unique rotary-drum application, ease of use and quality of packing were unmistakable,” he said. “The versatility of the machine is unmatched for it’s size and price.”

The Shawpak produces thermoformed packs under strict control and medical clients have used the kit to handle 10 syringes in one go.

The compact size really set the Shawpak apart, said Howells, who added that its minimal footprint and low starting cost made it suitable for small or start-up contract packers or those with a highly varied product base.

The heart of the machine is a servo-driven indexing drum which transports the webs through the machine. The drum is surrounded by forming, sealing and cutting stations.

The product is loaded into the top of the tooling drum and ejected out of the base onto a discharge conveyor, making it simple to operate, Howells added.

Shawpak sales and marketing director Tony Croft said: “Working with Friedheim gives us the market exposure and technical support to move into the consumer goods, non-food arena.”

Riverside Medical Packaging is 35 years old and supplies packaging, contract packing, validation and engineering services from its 2,500sqm base, also in Derby.