Meat packing tools education and training is an important part of ensuring that your business runs efficiently and safely. When you use meat packaging supplies correctly, more meat products process faster and safer, allowing your profits to rise. Meat packing supplies and meat packing equipment can be costly, so it's in your best interest to be certain you and your employees use them in the most productive manner.

Even if it's as simple as the correct way of utilizing meat packing boxes, you want to know that proper usage helps offset your costs. Use a variety of outlets to enhance your training, such as representatives of companies that specialize in tools used in meat packing. Suppliers of meat packing equipment is a good start as well as implementing training guides and manuals for your specific meat packing tool.

1. Inquire with representatives from the meat packing industry on proper usage.

2. Utilize training manuals on equipment for meat packing that you purchase.

3. Learn about the various types of tools used in meat packing.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Converse with vendors who specialize in meat packing tools

A vendor who sells meat packaging supply can be a useful educational resource in learning about ways to use the equipment you plan to purchase. Utilize their experience and training, and use it in your own business.

I recommend: Packworld has an article on using seal machines to help optimize your meat packing business. Harbor Pallets and Packaging has a video showing how packaging works.

Make the most of training materials on equipment that you purchase for meat packing

Employ the amount of educational information that comes with the meat packing tools that you purchase. Each piece of equipment can have different specifications and directions, so be sure to use that data to guarantee the safety and smooth operation of your equipment.

I recommend: Koch includes a training manual with their products. Minnesota Department of Agriculture released a training guide on vacuum packaging.

Find education on the varieties of equipment for meat packing

Inquire about the different types of meat packaging equipment and meat packing tools available to you. Each can have different benefits and disadvantages that you will need to know in order to run your business to its full potential.

I recommend: Doug Care Equipment has a list of products and everything that each one handles in meat packing. CFS has a great tool where you choose what type of item you are packing and it shows you which meat packing tool you need.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be sure that your staff receives the help and training needed to properly use your meat packing equipment.
• •  Check with suppliers of meat packing equipment for training material and guides.

In the meat packing industry, many supplies and equipment for meat packing are needed. Suppliers of meat packing equipment sell both new and used equipment to meet company's needs. The tools used in meat packing are choppers, grinders, patty makers and fillers. Once the meat is packed it has to be packaged. Trays, shrink wrap and boxes are used to hold the packed meat for sale.

Meat packing equipment ranges from small countertop machines to large stand alone machines. When searching for meat packing equipment and supplies, you need to decide how much you are able to spend and how much meat packing you plan to do.

1. Buy new meat packing equipment if your company likes the security of a warranty.

2. Save money and purchase used packing equipment.

3. Locate the meat packing tools and supplies your business needs to succeed.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Purchase new meat packing equipment

Meat packing equipment is quite expensive, especially if it is new. Suppliers of meat packing equipment normally offer a warranty for new equipment, which is worth the price for most companies.

I recommend: View a catalog for the meat processing and packing equipment that CFS Lifecycle Performance provides. Their equipment varies in size to fit your company's needs. Get shrink-wrap systems for your meat products at IPS Packaging. Apply for a commercial account at Mid-Western Research & Supply before digging into the company's vast resources.

Locate used meat packing equipment

Used meat packing equipment is the best way to go if your company is trying to cut costs. Although used equipment rarely comes with a warranty, most refurbished equipment runs as well as the new models.

I recommend: Browse the list of used equipment for meat packing at Hale Industries. Recon Systems carries a wide variety of used packing and packaging equipment for meat products. Browse used and refurbished meat packing equipment at Union Standard Equipment.

Buy meat packaging and packing supplies

Meat packaging supplies include a meat packing box, tools and adhesives. These supplies are used to ensure the meat is packed for freshness when it is frozen. These supplies are essential to any successful meat market.

I recommend: Request a catalog from Polar Tech Industries to review their line of insulated products, including their meat packing boxes. Buy adhesives from The Dow Chemical Company to use when packaging meat in trays or boxes. The Palron Food Packaging Company carries metal meat packaging supplies, such as trays. Buy plastic trays and meat packing tools at Quinn Packing.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  All meat packing equipment needs to be sterilized after each use. Follow company, state and national guidelines to avoid cross-contamination, disease or worse.
• •  Quality meat packing supplies are nonporous and come sterilized.

Before purchasing expensive kitchen equipment for meat packing, know the terminology and key terms. Whether you have a meat packing company or simply supply meat items to customers at a retail store, know what to look for and how to pick the right equipment for your individual needs.

From simple terminology, such as shrink wrap and boxes, to more complex terms, such as tray sealers and thermoformers, the more education you have the better you can serve your patrons effectively.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Thermoformers

A thermoformers is a piece of equipment that heats a piece of plastic into a pliable temperature and then forms it to a specific shape. These shapes are used to package meat items and keep them fresh.

I recommend: CFS Lifecycle Performance has pictures, downloads and further information on thermoformer products it offers.

Tray sealers

Tray sealers are designed to seal preformed plastic trays in meat packing. A tray with meat products is placed on the lower portion of the tray sealer and the film is manually pulled over the tray. Once the heated lid is closed, the tray is sealed for freshness.

I recommend: Haug Quality Equipment has information on how to use a tray sealer and how they work. AmeriPak has a handy informational guide on the inner workings of tray sealers.

Patty makers

Patty makers ensure that you make a formed hamburger patty that's equal in size each time. These are useful in helping businesses stay cost-conscious.

I recommend: Free Patents Online explains how a patty maker works.

Vacuum packaging

Vacuum packaging is a meat packaging process known as reduced oxygen packaging, or ROP, which packages with less oxygen than normal. This means that your customer gets food that is fresher for a longer period of time.

I recommend: Minnesota Department of Agriculture offers a training presentation on vacuum packaging. Fante's Kitchen Wares Shop has a resource on why a provider or consumer should use vacuum packaging.

Conveyor

Loading and processing machines automatically align and stack portions into thermoforming and packaging machines such as a conveyor, which enables a worker to feed the meat product into a vacuum-chamber packaging machine.

I recommend: CFS offers guides on loading equipment and how each different piece can help your business, whether it's an easy loader or a flex loader. Koch features an informational guide on conveyors and their functions, plus brochure guides and specifications sheets.

Grinders

Meat grinders are pieces of equipment that can grind meat faster and more efficiently. They allow a business to choose the size, ingredients and flavors of the meat.

I recommend: ABT offers an excellent buying guide on meat grinders that explains their uses and the differences between electric and manual models.

If you sell meat products in your store, you need to be familiar with the different options available among meat packing tools types and styles. Today’s tools used in meat packing are state-of-the-art computerized machines that seal the freshness and quality into each cut of meat.

As you look for the right meat packing tools for your business, you need to consider how much you wish to pay for your meat packing tool. If you find you can’t afford a new meat packing machine, you can often find suitable used equipment. You also need to consider the cuts of meat you intend to sell. This can affect whether you purchase:

1. Meat packing equipment for whole cuts of meat, such as roasts.

2. Meat packing boxes for ground products like hamburger.

3. Meat packaging machines for sliced meats, such as ham and lunch meats.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look at form fill meat packing equipment

This type of equipment involves placing meat in a clear plastic sleeve and then sealing it shut. The machine pulls excess air out of the package as it seals, creating a tight wrap around the meat. You can use form fill with all cuts of meat, but it's especially common with larger cuts like whole hams and roasts.

I recommend: CFS Lifecycle Performance gives you a number of options for meat packing equipment. Its form fill machines work well with hamburgers, ham and other types of meat. Autobag Packaging Systems offers form fill meat packing tools as well.

Consider shrink-wrap meat packing equipment

Shrink wrap involves placing a clear plastic film around the meat. A low heat mechanism quickly seals the package shut. The meat is often on a tray in this type of packaging. Shrink-wrapping is good for short-term meat storage; as storing meat in shrink-wrap long-term can result in freezer burn.

I recommend: Polypack offers vacuum shrink-wrap meat packaging supplies. This product shows off hams and larger cuts of meat to your customer, as well as sliced meats. In addition to shrink-wrap equipment, Unisource Worldwide provides a complete listing of meat packaging supply products.

Use meat packing boxes and trays

Put meat on trays or in boxes to display it for sale. Use shrink-wrap to protect the meat from the air and other contaminants. These supplies are essential to your meat packing business, no matter what kind of meat packaging process you use.

I recommend: Use meat packing boxes and trays from Quinn Packaging. You can get the meat packing supplies designed to your specifications if you prefer. Seal products in trays with equipment for meat packing from suppliers of meat packing equipment at Haug Manufacturing. Its hand-operated units allow you to provide custom meat packing for your customers.