Darren joined Secomak in 1983 and, over the following 43 years, has worked across virtually every area of engineering and development within the business. From machining and tooling to heaters, industrial equipment and military audio technology, his career has developed alongside Secomak’s own engineering history.

Today, as Technical and Development Manager, Darren continues to develop products, solve engineering challenges and pass his knowledge on to the next generation of engineers.

Below is our 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award entry, published in full.

Lifetime Achievement Award – 2026 Entry

The Darren Story: 43 Years, Four Patents and Plenty of Problem-Solving

My Secomak story began in 1983, after two short-lived jobs involving 5.30am starts, 7pm finishes and enough back-breaking work to nearly finish me off before my career had properly begun.

Over the next 43 years, Secomak and I grew together, developing equipment for the packaging, processing, oil and gas, and wider industrial sectors, alongside military loudspeakers and communication systems.

In late 1982, with “Come On Eileen” playing on the radio, I decided to put my love of mechanical development and Yamaha FS1E moped tuning to better use.

I joined the Youth Opportunities Scheme, learning machining, fabrication and electrical work. It was an apprenticeship waiting for a company to give you a chance. Secomak gave me mine.

My supervisor hated Monday starters, so I began on Tuesday 5 April 1983 at 10am. After two weeks in every department, I ended up back in the machine shop.

When CNC machines arrived, I was sent on a crash course in programming. You learnt the basics and fathomed out the rest yourself.

One job involved machining elliptical siren shutter blades. Each took hours on an off-centre fixture. The supplier said our controls could not produce the shape. I was not having that.

After five minutes’ thought, I treated the ellipse like a thread with a very large pitch: half a right-hand thread down, half a left-hand thread up, and Bob’s your uncle. Machining time fell from two hours to about one minute.

By 25, I was running the machine shop, designing tooling, repairing machinery and realigning CNCs after the occasional crash. As Secomak expanded, so did my role, bringing new technologies and challenges. I developed solutions for customers across packaging, processing and industrial automation.

I moved into heater production, taught myself element design, rebuilt a submarine loudspeaker from drawings, supported audio development, led quality and testing, became Quality Manager and, in 2018, Technical and Development Manager.

That brought me back to where I belonged: solving problems, developing products and moving Secomak forward. Since then, I have been named on four patents, each representing years of practical problem-solving and product development. There were plenty of other ideas too, although some were banked until the business needed something pulled out of the bag.

Just as important as the products has been passing that knowledge on. I have trained colleagues, supported apprentices and encouraged younger engineers to question, experiment and find their own solutions.

In 2026, I reached 43 years with Secomak. People say staying that long says something about the company. I think it says something about the person too. No business is perfect, so I chose to keep improving it.

As former CEO John Moore taught me: “Kaizen” – continuous small improvements.

Looking back, those improvements became something much bigger: a lifetime spent developing products, solving engineering challenges, supporting customers and helping the packaging, processing, automation and wider industrial sectors move forward.

That may have been Secomak’s greatest gift to me.

For nearly 100 years, Secomak has specialised in the design and manufacture of high-performance centrifugal blowers and container drying systems. Our 587 Turbo blower has become the heart of thousands of installations worldwide, operating across more than 120 countries.

It was already a proven and reliable blower, but changing customer requirements gave us a reason to look again at one of its most critical components.

Manufacturers increasingly want equipment that can operate for longer with less intervention. Routine servicing takes engineering time, creates planned downtime and contributes to the total cost of owning and operating equipment.

Our objective was therefore clear: redesign the blower bearing and impellor assembly to dramatically extend operational life while removing routine lubrication requirements entirely, without compromising performance.

The result was the Secomak Long-Life Bearing Assembly.

Rethinking Centrifugal Blower Bearing Design

Rather than simply modifying the existing bearing arrangement or extending the time between servicing, our Engineering team approached the development from the ground up.

The impellor and bearing housing form one of the most important moving assemblies within a high-speed centrifugal blower. Any new design therefore had to improve maintenance requirements and operating life while continuing to provide the stability and reliability required at high rotational speeds.

Working alongside bearing technology specialists SKF, we evaluated existing bearing performance, analysed operational loads and investigated different materials and bearing configurations.

Advanced CAD modelling was combined with extensive prototype testing to understand how different designs would perform before progressing into field trials.

The final solution uses traditional steel inner and outer rings together with ceramic rolling elements, creating a hybrid ceramic bearing configuration developed specifically around Secomak’s high-speed centrifugal blower technology.

Why Hybrid Ceramic Bearing Technology?

Moving to a hybrid ceramic bearing arrangement provided several advantages over the previous design.

The new configuration delivers significantly lower friction, reduced operating temperatures, increased rotational stability at high speed and improved load-carrying capability.

Most importantly from a maintenance perspective, it allowed us to completely remove the requirement for periodic lubrication.

That changes more than the bearing itself.

Instead of simply increasing the interval between maintenance visits, the Long-Life Bearing Assembly changes the maintenance philosophy of the blower. Scheduled lubrication and routine bearing servicing are removed, reducing the amount of intervention required throughout the equipment’s operating life.

For food, beverage and pharmaceutical manufacturers, removing lubrication also eliminates the associated lubricant contamination risk around the bearing assembly.

Developing the Long-Life Bearing Assembly with SKF

Secomak and SKF evaluated bearing configurations, materials and operating requirements during development

Development of the Long-Life Bearing Assembly brought together two different areas of engineering experience.

Secomak contributed decades of centrifugal blower application knowledge, customer feedback and real-world operating data, while SKF brought its specialist knowledge of bearing design, advanced materials and ceramic technology.

Multiple material combinations, bearing configurations and prototype assemblies were evaluated before the design progressed through laboratory testing and customer field trials.

This process was important because extending calculated bearing life was only one part of the project.

The assembly also had to demonstrate that it could perform reliably under genuine industrial operating conditions.

That meant moving beyond CAD models and controlled testing and putting the technology onto production equipment.

From Prototype Testing to Real Production

Following successful validation, the Long-Life Bearing Assembly was introduced into commercial production in July 2024.

One of the early field tests saw the technology installed into a Secomak DryGuide system at Astonish, allowing its performance to be evaluated in a real production environment.

Temperature and vibration analysis formed part of the testing programme, helping our Engineering team understand how the new arrangement behaved under operating conditions before wider commercial introduction.

Since then, the technology has moved well beyond prototype status.

Approximately 170 systems incorporating the Long-Life Bearing Assembly have now been installed, and we estimate they have collectively accumulated more than 1.2 million operating hours worldwide without a single bearing failure.

The technology has now been operating in customer production facilities for more than two years without a bearing failure.

For us, this real-world operating history is one of the most important parts of the development.

A new component can perform well during controlled testing. Demonstrating the same reliability over millions of accumulated operating hours in customer production is considerably more valuable.

More Than 30,000 Hours of Expected Operating Life

The measurable improvement in bearing life has been significant.

The minimum expected operational runtime of the bearing assembly has increased by more than 50%, extending to beyond 30,000 operating hours.

At the same time, routine lubrication has been eliminated.

This reduces scheduled bearing servicing, lowers maintenance requirements and helps manufacturers increase production availability by reducing planned intervention.

Lower friction and reduced operating temperatures also contribute to improved efficiency and extended component life.

Our confidence in the technology and its real-world performance has led to the introduction of an extended three-year warranty, providing customers with additional assurance over the long-term reliability of the assembly.

Perhaps more interestingly, we still do not know the ultimate operating life of the technology.

No bearing failures have been experienced in service to date, meaning installations are continuing to accumulate operating hours. As that operating history develops, we will be able to build an even clearer picture of the true long-term life of the assembly.

Reducing Maintenance and Improving Sustainability

The benefits of the Long-Life Bearing Assembly go beyond bearing life alone.

Removing periodic lubrication means fewer maintenance interventions and removes the need for lubricant during routine bearing servicing.

Longer component life also means fewer replacement bearings and lower material consumption over the operating life of the equipment.

Combined with reduced maintenance resource requirements, lower environmental waste and improved efficiency through lower friction, this creates a more sustainable approach to centrifugal blower operation.

For manufacturers, those environmental improvements sit alongside practical operational benefits: lower maintenance requirements, reduced downtime and increased production availability.

Creating the Next Generation of Centrifugal Blower Technology

One of the most significant outcomes of the project may still be ahead of us.

The existing Secomak 587 Turbo blower already operates at 11,200 RPM. Historically, increasing rotational speed further has been constrained by factors including bearing performance, operating temperature and long-term reliability.

The characteristics of the new hybrid ceramic bearing assembly give our engineers greater scope to explore what the blower could achieve at substantially higher operating speeds.

Secomak’s Research and Development team is now investigating speeds approaching 15,000 RPM.

Initial engineering analysis indicates that this could provide more than a 50% increase in both airflow and pressure performance.

This does not mean simply running an existing blower faster.

Any future development will need to maintain the reliability that has already been demonstrated in the field. The Long-Life Bearing Assembly provides the engineering platform from which those higher-performance centrifugal blower technologies can now be explored.

Proven Centrifugal Blower Reliability, with More to Come

The Long-Life Bearing Assembly started with a relatively straightforward objective: reduce maintenance and increase operational life.

What followed was a complete re-engineering of the bearing and impellor assembly, combining hybrid ceramic bearing technology, detailed engineering analysis, prototype testing and extensive real-world validation.

The results now speak through the operating data: more than 30,000 hours minimum expected operational life, approximately 170 installed systems and an estimated 1.2 million cumulative operating hours without a single bearing failure.

Routine lubrication has been removed, maintenance requirements have been reduced and the technology has provided a foundation from which we can investigate the next generation of higher-performance Secomak centrifugal blowers.

For us, that is where the real value of the development lies.

It has solved an immediate maintenance and reliability challenge while opening the door to what our centrifugal blower technology could achieve next.

The result went on to win the Innovative Packaging Machinery – Multi-Purpose Technology Award at the 2024 Automate UK Awards.

But the development did not stop there.

Since its introduction, we have continued to challenge what the DryGuide Essential can do. What began as a compact solution primarily aimed at container drying has developed into a much more flexible drying platform, capable of working with bottles and jars, food packaging including rice trays and pouches, and complete top and side drying of cans.

Rather than developing a different machine every time we encounter a new application, our approach has been to retain the core DryGuide Essential platform and develop the drying fixtures and airflow configuration around the product.

Developing a Proven Industrial Container Drying Machine Further

The original design brief for the DryGuide Essential was to create a machine that was smaller, more cost-effective, energy efficient and easier to maintain, without compromising on drying quality or performance.

After winning the PPMA Award in 2024, the question for our Engineering and Sales teams became:

How can we make an already successful machine more capable, with even greater drying performance?

The answer has largely been found in the drying fixtures.

Different products present completely different drying challenges. Removing water from the side wall of a bottle is very different from drying the surface of a rice tray or achieving effective top and side drying on a can.

Simply directing more air at a product does not necessarily result in better drying.

Airflow has to be positioned and control

led correctly around the product, taking into account its geometry, the areas where water collects, conveyor arrangement, production speed and the processes taking place further down the line.

By developing new drying fixtures and configurations around the existing DryGuide Essential, we have been able to take the same core technology into increasingly varied applications without losing the characteristics that made the machine successful in the first place.

Customer Applications Have Driven the Development

Much of this development has come directly from conversations with customers. Since its launch and award win the machine has appeared at three major exhibitions covering the food and beverage, pharmaceutical and packaging markets.

Those exhibitions, site visits and discussions with end users give our Sales and Marketing team a clear picture of the drying problems manufacturers are experiencing.

That information is then fed directly back to our Design Engineers, allowing new concepts and drying configurations to be discussed, developed and tested.

Two recent projects demonstrate just how far this approach has taken the DryGuide Essential.

Drying Rice Trays at 33 Metres Per Minute for Veetee

The application at Veetee presented a very different challenge from conventional bottle or jar drying.

The requirement was to dry single and dual rice trays at 33 metres per minute.

The existing drying system had high maintenance requirements and was not providing sufficient drying performance. Residual moisture needed to be removed effectively to allow reliable ink jet coding while also helping to prevent moisture from affecting the secondary packaging.

The DryGuide Essential was developed around the application to provide the required drying performance at production speed.

It is a good example of why effective food packaging drying cannot simply be approached in the same way as a traditional bottle drying application. The product geometry, conveyor arrangement and areas where moisture collects all influence how the air needs to be delivered.

Solving a Complex Can Drying Application for Princes

The project with Princes presented an entirely different engineering challenge.

Complete cans needed to be dried across the top and sides, before being inverted and then dried across the top and sides again.

Adding to the complexity, the conveyor operated at two different heights.

Instead of requiring the customer to modify the production line around a standard drying machine, our Engineering and Sales teams worked together to configure the DryGuide Essential around the existing line.

The system was adapted to accommodate the product inversion and different conveyor heights while maintaining effective top and side drying throughout the process.

This project is particularly important in demonstrating the thinking behind the continued development of the DryGuide Essential.

The innovation is not simply being able to point airflow at another type of product. It is being able to adapt the drying system to a complex production environment while still making the machine practical to operate, maintain and change between products.

One Drying Platform, Different Production Challenges

This is where we see the real strength of the DryGuide Essential.

We have not developed a collection of completely different machines for individual applications.

Instead, we have continued to develop one machine platform that can be configured around different industrial drying challenges.

New drying fixtures allow the DryGuide Essential to accommodate different product geometries and drying requirements while still providing quick and straightforward changeovers.

The core principles of the original machine remain the same: a compact footprint, energy efficiency, simple controls and reduced maintenance.

The development has been about increasing what the machine can achieve without unnecessarily changing what already works.

Maintaining the Original Efficiency Benefits

Increasing the capability of the DryGuide Essential has not meant losing the measurable benefits behind the original design.

The original DryGuide Essential delivered a 20% reduction in machine footprint, together with up to 33% lower energy consumption through improved airflow dynamics.

The machine was also designed to provide an investment that could be as much as 45% lower than like-for-like equivalents.

For manufacturers still relying on compressed air for drying and blow-off applications, the difference can be greater again.

The DryGuide Essential provides an energy-efficient alternative to compressed air drying, with energy savings of up to 80%. In one customer application, this contributed to an investment payback of less than 10 months.

The latest developments mean these benefits can now be applied across a much broader range of industrial drying applications.

Manufacturers can use the DryGuide Essential where installation space is restricted, where products require different drying configurations or where regular production changeovers are required.

Drying Performance That Makes a Difference Further Down the Line

Industrial drying is rarely an isolated process.

What happens at the drying stage often has a direct impact on labelling, coding, inspection and secondary packaging further along the production line.

For Veetee, the DryGuide Essential replaced a high-maintenance drying system while achieving the drying performance required at 33 metres per minute.

For Princes, it provided a practical answer to a considerably more complex installation involving repeated top and side drying, product inversion and two different conveyor heights.

The impact of effective container drying is also reflected in feedback from Purity Soft Drinks Chief Engineer Rich Chadderton:

“The machine was easy to install and integrated smoothly into our existing line. We saw results immediately, bottles are consistently dry before labelling and we’ve reduced unnecessary rejects at inspection. The system is also quieter and requires far less maintenance than our previous setup. Secomak made the whole process straightforward.”

These applications all look very different, but the principle behind them is the same: understand what needs to be dry, understand the production line around it, and engineer the airflow accordingly.

Continuing to Challenge What the DryGuide Essential Can Do

Winning the PPMA Award in 2024 recognised the innovation behind the original DryGuide Essential.

Since then, the machine has continued to evolve.

It has moved beyond its original application as a compact side-wall dryer for bottles and jars and developed into a flexible industrial container drying platform capable of working with products including rice trays, pouches and complete cans.

For us, that is an important part of engineering development.

Innovation does not always have to mean starting again with an entirely new machine. Sometimes the better solution is to take something that is already proven and continue challenging its capabilities.

The DryGuide Essential has already demonstrated its value as a compact, efficient industrial drying system.

Now, it is demonstrating just how much more capable it can be.

Have an Industrial Drying Application You’d Like Us to Look At?

Whether you’re drying bottles, cans, trays, pouches or another product format, our team can review your production requirements and recommend a drying solution around your application.

Discuss Your Drying Application

The DryGuide Plus is Secomak’s latest high-speed container drying tunnel, developed for beverage production lines requiring greater drying capacity it will be making its first UK exhibition appearance at PPMA 2026.

Why We Developed the DryGuide Plus

It has been developed from Secomak’s proven DryGuide technology, with between 750 and 1,000 DryGuide drying tunnels installed worldwide. Rather than developing a completely new machine, the DryGuide Plus extends a tried, tested and proven design to meet the increasing demand for higher-speed container drying.

The DryGuide Plus has been designed for food, beverage and pharmaceutical production lines where a standard drying tunnel may no longer provide sufficient drying capacity. It bridges the gap between the original DryGuide and a much larger twin-tunnel system, giving manufacturers more drying performance without the additional cost, complexity and space requirements of installing two machines.

High-Speed Container Drying for Bottles and Cans

The system removes water from bottles and cans for applications such as before labelling, coding, inspection, sleeving and packaging. By removing residual moisture, it helps reduce problems such as poor label adhesion, unreadable date codes and packaging defects.

The tunnel is just over two metres long, approximately 40% longer than the standard DryGuide, and incorporates additional adjustable drying fixtures together with increased airflow to deliver around 37.5% greater drying capacity. During testing it achieved speeds of up to approximately 55,000 bottles per hour and 99,000 cans per hour, depending on the product and application.

More Drying Performance from a Single Blower

A key advantage of the DryGuide Plus is that it achieves this higher performance using a single blower. Systems offering similar drying performance often require two complete drying tunnels or multiple blowers. By using just one blower, customers only need one electrical supply, one variable speed drive, one set of safety devices and one machine to install and maintain. This reduces installation costs, electrical components, maintenance requirements and overall energy consumption.

The blower itself is Secomak’s own 18.5 kW 587 Turbo centrifugal blower. It is an evolution of the proven blower used on the standard DryGuide, incorporating a larger motor while retaining the same proven design and many common components. Existing DryGuide customers therefore benefit from familiar technology and common spare parts, without the need to introduce additional service stock.

DryGuide Plus Energy and Maintenance Benefits

Compared with installing two standard DryGuide tunnels, the DryGuide Plus also offers:

• Over 33% lower power consumption
• Lower initial investment costs
• Reduced maintenance requirements through the use of a single blower

Like the original DryGuide, the DryGuide Plus is modular by design and can be joined to other DryGuide or DryGuide Plus tunnels where additional drying capacity is required. It also retains features such as hinged access doors for easier cleaning and maintenance, together with Secomak’s sloping roof design to support hygienic operation.

The DryGuide Plus demonstrates how proven technology can be developed to meet the increasing demands of modern high-speed production lines without introducing unnecessary complexity. It delivers higher drying performance in a compact, energy-efficient system while maintaining the reliability and simplicity that existing DryGuide users already know.

Adjustable drying fixtures allow airflow to be configured around different bottle and can formats.

Key Benefits

• Approximately 37.5% greater drying capacity than the standard DryGuide
• Production speeds up to approximately 55,000 bottles/hour and 99,000 cans/hour
• Higher performance from a single drying tunnel, avoiding the need for twin-tunnel installations in many applications
• Single blower design reduces electrical components, installation costs and maintenance
• Over 33% lower power consumption compared with two standard DryGuide tunnels
• No reliance on compressed air for the primary drying process
• Proven blower technology with common spare parts shared across the DryGuide range
• Modular design with adjustable drying fixtures to suit different bottle and can formats

See the DryGuide Plus at PPMA 2026

At PPMA 2026, the DryGuide Plus will be featured as part of Secomak’s live conveyor display. While the drying tunnel itself will not be operating, visitors will see products moving through the production line together with animations showing the airflow, drying process and how the system integrates into a complete packaging line. This will give visitors a clear understanding of how the DryGuide Plus works and the benefits it offers for high-speed production.

Need More Drying Capacity on Your Production Line?

Whether you’re running a high-speed bottle or can line, our team can review your production requirements and determine the right DryGuide configuration for your application.

Discuss Your Drying Application

World Food Safety Day is a reminder that safe food is not achieved by one process, one inspection, or one final check. It is the result of a controlled production system, where every stage of manufacturing, packaging, handling and distribution contributes to reducing risk.

In 2026, World Food Safety Day was marked on 7 June under the theme “From burden to solutions – safe food everywhere.” The World Health Organization highlights that foodborne diseases remain a major global burden, but are largely preventable when science, data and practical controls are applied effectively.

For food manufacturers, this message is highly relevant at the end of the line. A product may have passed through a validated cooking, washing, retorting, sterilisation, cooling or filling process, but the condition of the pack as it moves downstream still matters.

Whether the format is a flexible pouch, DOY pack, ready meal tray, vacuum-formed pack, bottle, can, tub, pot, sachet or carton, residual surface water can create avoidable issues after the wet process is complete.

This is where food pack drying becomes an important but often under-recognised part of the packaging line.

A wet pack can affect downstream hygiene, coding accuracy, label performance, secondary packaging quality and production efficiency. Effective drying is therefore not simply about appearance. It is a practical engineering control that supports cleaner handling, clearer identification and more consistent packaging performance.

The Post-Process Challenge: When Safe Product Meets Wet Packaging

Food packaging comes in many formats, each designed around the needs of the product, process and consumer. Flexible pouches offer lightweight convenience. Ready meal trays provide portion control and presentation. Vacuum-formed packs support shelf life and product protection. Bottles, cans and tins remain essential in high-speed beverage and food production. Pots, tubs and lidded containers are widely used across chilled, ambient and processed foods.

Each format brings commercial advantages, but each can also carry residual water into the next stage of production.

After washing, cooling, pasteurisation, retorting, sterilisation, rinsing or other wet processes, water can remain on the outside of the pack. On rigid containers, it may collect around rims, seams, bases, caps, necks or closures. On flexible packs, it may remain in folds, gussets, spouts and seals. On trays and vacuum-formed packs, it may sit in corners, edges, recesses, lidding-film areas or formed contours.

This matters because downstream packaging operations usually require dry, stable and repeatable surface conditions. Coding, labelling, sleeving, inspection, case packing, manual handling all perform more reliably when packs are presented clean and dry.

Secomak’s packaging and labelling guidance makes this point clearly: drying machines help ensure dry surfaces for effective label application, print clarity and packaging integrity across different packaging materials and formats, including glass, plastic, metal and cardboard.

Residual Water as a Downstream Hygiene Risk

In food production, water must be controlled carefully. It is essential in many upstream processes, but once product moves into dry packaging, coding and secondary packing areas, uncontrolled water transfer can become a problem.

Residual water can be carried downstream on the outside of packs and transferred onto conveyors, sensors, coding equipment, labellers, cartons, trays, work surfaces and floors. This can increase cleaning demand, affect line performance, create slip hazards and introduce unnecessary variability into areas intended to remain dry.

This does not mean that surface moisture on a sealed pack automatically makes the food unsafe. That would be an overstatement. Product safety depends on validated processing, seal integrity, hygienic handling and the wider food safety system.

However, from a preventive food safety perspective, unnecessary water movement should be controlled. HACCP is based on the systematic identification, evaluation and control of food safety hazards, including biological, chemical and physical hazards.

Food pack drying supports that preventive mindset. It helps reduce the uncontrolled movement of process water into downstream environments where dry conditions are required for consistent operation.

Why Different Pack Formats Create Different Drying Challenges

There is no single drying challenge in food packaging. The risk depends on pack geometry, material, line speed and the process immediately before drying.

Flexible pouches and DOY packs can retain water in gussets, folds, seals and spouted areas. Secomak’s Pouch Dryer system is designed for flexible pouches including stand-up pouches, gusseted pouches, spouted pouches, pillow packs, retort packs, lay-flat packs and ready meal trays.

Ready meal trays and vacuum-formed packs can present a different challenge. Water may remain around tray rims, corners, contours, lidding areas and recessed surfaces. These are often the areas that need to remain dry for reliable sleeving, labelling, case packing or visual inspection.

The shared principle is the same across all formats: moisture must be removed from the external pack surface before it compromises the next stage of production.

Dry Packs Support Accurate Date Coding and Traceability

Date codes, batch codes and lot codes are not simply production details. They form part of the traceability system that allows manufacturers to manage quality, stock rotation, customer communication and recall readiness.

The FDA defines a traceability lot code as a descriptor, often alphanumeric, used to uniquely identify a traceability lot.

For food manufacturers, code quality depends partly on the condition of the pack surface. A wet pouch, tray, bottle, can, tub or vacuum-formed pack can interfere with inkjet performance, adhesion, clarity or legibility. Moisture may cause ink to blur, prevent strong adhesion or create inconsistent print quality.

This principle applies beyond pouches. Any food pack that requires reliable coding benefits from a dry and stable surface. A poorly printed code may not make a safe product unsafe, but it can weaken the traceability system that supports food safety governance.

In that sense, drying supports both operational quality and food safety assurance.

Protecting Labels, Sleeves and Secondary Packaging

The dry condition of the pack also affects the packaging system around the product.

Labels, shrink sleeves, cartons, cardboard trays and cases all rely on predictable surface conditions. If residual water is carried into these stages, it can affect label adhesion, print clarity, sleeve performance, carton strength and finished-pack presentation.

For food producers, this has practical consequences. Wet packs may slow automated packing, increase rejects, create water marks, weaken cardboard, or require manual intervention. In high-speed environments, even small moisture issues can multiply quickly across thousands of packs per hour.

A dry pack is easier to code, label, sleeve, inspect, pack and palletise. It also helps maintain a cleaner and more controlled end-of-line process.

Engineering the Solution: Drying Systems Matched to the Pack

Effective food pack drying is not simply a matter of blowing air at a product. The drying system must be matched to the pack format, the line layout, the product speed, the material and the specific areas where water remains.

Flexible pouches may require hold-down conveyors to keep lightweight packs stable. Gusseted packs may need targeted drying into folds and recesses. Ready meal trays and vacuum-formed packs may need drying across rims, corners and formed contours. Bottles and cans may need controlled air delivery around shoulders, necks, bases and seams.

Secomak’s Pouch Dryer uses electrically driven centrifugal blower technology and does not require compressed air. It is designed for all-surface drying and includes a hold-down conveyor for lightweight products. It is also hygienically designed for food and pharmaceutical applications, with an integrated drip tray that collects removed water and drains it to a single point.

For wider packaging and labelling applications, our drying systems can be configured for different packaging materials and formats, including glass, plastic, metal and cardboard.

This flexibility matters. The most effective drying solution is not always a standard machine applied to every product. It is a system engineered around the actual packaging challenge, the production environment and the point at which moisture needs to be removed.

From Pouches to Trays: Drying Where Water Hides

The importance of targeted drying can be seen in our Full Green case study. The Pouch Dryer removed moisture from the entire surface of food pouches at up to 7,500 packs per hour, including the gusset of DOY packs where water can become trapped.

Although the example includes DOY packs, the wider lesson applies across food packaging. Water tends to remain in the least accessible areas: gussets, tray corners, pack rims, recessed contours, closures, seams and bases.

These areas are easy to underestimate because they may not always be visible at line speed. Yet they can still affect downstream handling, coding, labelling and secondary packaging.

The stronger approach is to treat drying as part of line design. It should be considered before coding, labelling, sleeving, case packing or palletising, not as an afterthought once moisture problems have already appeared.

Food Pack Drying as Part of a Preventive Food Safety Culture

World Food Safety Day encourages the industry to move from recognising food safety burdens to applying practical solutions. In manufacturing, this means identifying small, repeatable risks and controlling them before they become wider production issues.

Food pack drying is one of those practical solutions.

It does not replace validated cooking, retorting, pasteurisation, sterilisation, seal integrity checks, HACCP, cleaning programmes or traceability systems. Instead, it supports them by improving the condition of the external pack as it moves from wet processing into dry downstream operations.

Across pouches, trays, vacuum-formed packs, bottles, cans, tubs and other packaging formats, effective drying can help:

• reduce downstream moisture transfer
• support clearer date coding and batch identification
• improve label and sleeve application
• protect cartons, trays and cases
• reduce moisture on conveyors and handling surfaces
• support cleaner and more controlled dry-end operations
• improve production consistency and finished-pack quality

These benefits are practical, but they also reflect a wider food safety culture. Safe production depends on layers of control. Some are highly visible, such as thermal processing and microbiological validation. Others are mechanical, environmental and operational.

Pack drying belongs in that second category. It may not be the headline process, but when it is missing or under-specified, the effects can be felt across the line.

Conclusion: Turning Residual Moisture into Controlled Risk

Food safety depends on attention to detail. It depends on understanding how small sources of variability can become operational, hygienic or traceability concerns when repeated thousands of times per hour.

Residual water on food packaging is one of those details.

Whether the pack is a pouch, ready meal tray, vacuum-formed pack, bottle, can, tub or pot, moisture left after wet processing can travel downstream. It can affect coding, labelling, secondary packaging, handling and the dry conditions expected at the end of the line.

On World Food Safety Day, the message for manufacturers is clear: prevention is not only about major interventions. It is also about controlling the everyday process conditions that protect quality, hygiene and traceability.

By removing residual water from food packs before they move downstream, Secomak drying systems support cleaner handling, more reliable coding, stronger packaging performance and better-controlled production environments.

In food manufacturing, safety is built through systems. Food pack drying is one practical engineering step that helps those systems work as intended.

Interpack 2026 is recognised globally as the leading exhibition for packaging and processing technologies. First held in 1958 and organised by Messe Düsseldorf, the event brings together the full packaging value chain, spanning materials, processing equipment, automation, and finished packaging solutions.

Held every three years, Interpack attracts thousands of visitors from the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, printing and industrial manufacturing sectors.

For Secomak, Interpack 2026 provides the ideal platform to showcase proven industrial drying solutions, demonstrate new developments, and engage directly with manufacturers experiencing drying challenges on their production lines, as well as with OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and end users.

Why Industrial Drying Matters in Packaging and Processing

Drying is a critical process step in many manufacturing environments, particularly where containers and packaging are exposed to water, steam, or cleaning processes. Residual moisture can cause significant downstream issues, including:

• Poor label adhesion
• Unreliable date coding and traceability
• Inaccurate check weighing
• Damage to secondary packaging
• Reduced line efficiency and unplanned downtime
• Product quality issues

Despite this, drying is often under-engineered or treated as an afterthought. At Interpack 2026, Secomak will demonstrate how targeted container drying systems can improve reliability, efficiency, and overall process performance.

DryGuide Essential: Efficient Container Drying in Action

A central feature of Secomak’s stand will be a showcase of the DryGuide Essential, one of the latest additions to the our drying product range.

Designed to deliver effective results using controlled airflow, the DryGuide Essential provides reliable drying without unnecessary system complexity. During the exhibition,  the machine will be setup for drying on both pouches and cans, allowing visitors to see how the same drying technology adapts for different packaging formats to suit their production line.

Drying Solutions Designed Around Production Needs

Interpack attracts manufacturers from a wide range of sectors, each with different production challenges. Drying requirements for flexible packaging are very different from those for PET bottles, cans, or rigid containers.

Rather than offering standardised systems, We designs application-specific industrial drying solutions, taking into account:

• Packaging format and material
• Line speed and throughput
• Available space and layout
• Upstream and downstream processes
• customers specific requirements

This approach allows us to support every industry professional attending the show with a drying solution that fits their process.

Interpack 2026 Sectors and Drying Applications

Interpack covers a broad range of industries, including food, beverage, confectionery, bakery, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, non-food, printing and industrial manufacturing. Across all of these sectors, drying plays a vital role.

Beverage Container Drying

The beverage sector remains the largest application area for Secomak systems and has been central to the company’s activity since 1980. High-speed beverage lines require reliable drying equipment, particularly after rinsing, filling or pasteurisation.

In many applications, a lack of effective drying causes downstream issues such as shrink sleeve application failures, poor adhesion of pressure-sensitive labels (PSL), stress corrosion, and wider line performance problems.

Secomak’s beverage drying solutions support a wide range of containers, Including cans, glass bottles, and PET bottles of all sizes, across the production of:

• Carbonated soft drinks

• Bottled and flavoured water

• Beer, cider, and alcoholic beverages

• Juices and functional drinks

In these manufacturing environments, consistent container drying is essential for clear coding, accurate traceability, and stable line operation.

Secomak also provides glass bottle pre-heating solutions (PreHeat IR) to reduce thermal shock. By gradually warming bottles before processing, these systems help prevent glass breakage and the downstream process issues it can create.

Case Study: BrewDog 2022 New canning line – Drying Machines, Gas Boosters, Fans Blowers and Heaters – Secomak Hertfordshire

Food Industry Drying Solutions

In food manufacturing, pouch drying is increasingly important, particularly following retorting or sterilisation processes. These stages often leave significant surface moisture on packaging, which must be removed before further handling.

Key reasons for effective food pouch drying include:

• Ensuring reliable labelling and date coding
• Protecting secondary packaging and reducing waste
• Improving check weighing accuracy
• Reduce the potential for bacterial growth in difficult-to-access areas such as gussets.

Effective drying helps keep food production lines running efficiently and consistently.

Case Study: MARS – Drying Machines, Gas Boosters, Fans Blowers and Heaters – Secomak Hertfordshire

Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Drying

Pharmaceutical and cosmetic manufacturers require precise moisture control throughout the manufacturing process. In addition to drying outer packaging, Secomak supports specialist applications within these sectors, including the internal drying of intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) using our HeatPack system.

These solutions help reduce drying times, improve process consistency, and minimise manual intervention, making them well suited to controlled and well regulated environments.

Case Study:

Efficient Drying of IBCs at GSK with Secomak’s 9kW HeatPack – Drying Machines, Gas Boosters, Fans Blowers and Heaters – Secomak Hertfordshire

Bakery and Industrial Manufacturing

Beyond packaging, Secomak has many years of experience supplying blowers for blow-off applications in bakeries and across a wide range of industrial manufacturing environments. In bakeries, these systems are commonly used to remove excess ingredients from products, helping to reduce waste and maintain consistent yields. They are also used to clean conveyors, lowering the risk of cross-contamination further along the production line.

In addition, they support surface drying and reliable process air supply, enabling manufacturers to maintain smooth, efficient operation on their production lines.

Supporting Customers Beyond the Drying Equipment

Secomak’s involvement at Interpack goes beyond equipment display. The exhibition provides an opportunity to discuss how customers are supported throughout the full project lifecycle, including:

• Early-stage concept development
• System testing and validation
• Installation support and commissioning
• Ongoing technical assistance

The focus is always on delivering practical solutions that work on real production lines.

Visit Secomak at Interpack 2026 Hall 11, Stand D74-02

Drying is a fundamental process that supports product quality, safety, and smooth operation across many industries. If you are having issues with wet containers on your production line, Interpack 2026 is a perfect opportunity to discuss your application directly with our technical team.

Stay Connected

Follow SECOMAK LINKEDIN PROFILE for:

• Interpack stand updates and previews
• Live content from the exhibition floor

To arrange a face-to-face consultation or product demonstration during the show, contact Secomak in advance and reserve time with the team.

Email: Sales@secomak.com 

Phone: +44 (0) 2087 321 300

Secomak is proud to present the Industrial HeatPack for consideration in the PPMA Automate Awards for Innovative Processing System, a category that celebrates engineering excellence in enhancing productivity, improving safety, and driving cost savings.

With more than 95 years of expertise in blower and heater technology, we have brought together two of our core innovations into one intelligent solution. The Industrial HeatPack is a powerful and adaptable hot air system designed with both efficiency and ergonomics. Setting a new benchmark for performance across a wide range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, aerospace, food and beverage, manufacturing and defence.

Innovation Through Intelligent Integration

At its core, the HeatPack incorporates Secomak’s direct-drive centrifugal fan, developed specifically for hot air recirculation. This design enables the fan to withstand inlet temperatures exceeding 200°C while delivering consistent airflow and thermal performance. By recirculating  hot air the system significantly reduces energy consumption, requiring less power to maintain high operating temperatures. This translates into significantly lower running costs without compromising throughput.

Our advanced heater design ensures rapid heat-up and precise thermal control, achieving outlet temperatures of up to 400°C. When paired with solid-state relay controls, the HeatPack delivers temperature accuracy within ±1%, guaranteeing product integrity and consistent processing even in the most demanding applications.

Demonstrating this innovation a bespoke HeatPack was designed for an aerospace customer in the United States specialising in rocket propulsion. Their challenge was to reduce thermal heat-up times for large copper components used in thrust chamber welding. The HeatPack was engineered to recirculate air at temperatures of up to 300°C while operating reliably without supervision.

To support their workflow, our controls engineer programmed the system for remote activation at 3am. By the time the shift began at 8am, the components were pre-heated and ready for immediate welding. The stand-off motor design ensured the fan, motor, and heater assembly could withstand the extreme recirculation temperatures without damage, delivering both reliability and performance in a highly critical environment.

Performance Made Portable

The HeatPack is designed to be production-ready from the moment it arrives. Its portable trolley system and quick-connect power supply make it simple to move across production lines, offering an ideal solution for sites that require heat processing in multiple locations.

With power ranges from 1kW to 36kW, every HeatPack can be tailored to specific customer requirements. Blower sizing and heater configuration are optimised to deliver the best performance for each unique application.

Case Study: GlaxoSmithKline

GlaxoSmithKline approached us with a clear objective: reduce operational overheads while increasing productivity. The solution came through two compact HeatPacks.

The application, while straightforward in appearance, required precision and expertise. During pill manufacturing, intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) are filled with raw powder and transferred to the mixing room. Once the powders are mixed and decanted, the IBCs must be thoroughly cleaned and dried before reuse.

Previously, this drying was done by hand, often limiting the team to just twelve IBCs in a single shift. With the introduction of the HeatPack, drying time was cut to only five minutes per container, boosting productivity by ten fold.

For a site the size of GSK, portability was also crucial. The HeatPacks we supplied were built on portable trolleys with lockable castor wheels, allowing effortless movement between factory sections without the need for lifting equipment. The result was a safe, mobile solution that combined ease of transport with reliable, stable operation.

Smart Control, Smarter Results

One of the most exciting recent innovations is the new HMI (Human Machine Interface) control panel, a fully integrated touch-screen system that puts the operator in complete control.

Key HMI features include:

• Simple temperature setpoint control
• Live trend lines of actual vs. target temperature
• Customisable high/low temperature alarms (local or remote via BMS)
• Blower speed control
• Real-time power consumption monitoring
• Energy savings metrics via recirculation feedback

This smart control system delivers an intuitive and intelligent user experience, promoting not only ease of use but better process decisions and reduced operator error.

Advanced Cryogenic Heatpacks for Extreme Conditions

This year we delivered two cryogenic Heatpacks to a military aerospace customer. These machines can switch seamlessly between hot air at 180 °C and freezing temperatures down to -60 °C using liquid nitrogen. This was a completely new challenge for Secomak and our team embraced it fully.

Our design engineers worked closely with material and component suppliers to make sure every part could handle these extreme temperatures. Once the mechanical design was finalised the focus shifted to controls. Safety and precision were of paramount importance. Real-time heat trend monitoring, emergency alarms and careful temperature regulation were all implemented to ensure reliable operation.

The HMI was designed to be clear and intuitive allowing operators to monitor processes in real time. Supporting this, twenty thermocouples continuously provide temperature feedback and each one can act as the master to maintain safety and control. The Heatpack demonstrates Secomak’s ability to deliver precise engineering, dependable controls, and full operational safety.

Proven Impact and Industry Validation

Customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting:
• Unmatched ease of use
• Reliable and consistent hot air delivery
• Immediate operability with minimal setup

In real-world applications, customers have reported faster heat-up times, more consistent processing, and improved energy efficiency. These benefits translate into measurable improvements in productivity and significant cost savings across a range of industries.

Real-World Validation

Proving the effectiveness of the HeatPack is often straightforward, as we have highlighted throughout this article. One compelling example comes from a wheat processing plant that has relied on a Secomak HeatPack for decades to dry their pipes and ducting following Clean-In-Place (CIP) procedures.

Downtime at this facility is a critical concern, with the drying process for ducting and pipes traditionally taking up to 13 hours. With production losses estimated at £500 per hour, the plant sought our help to accelerate this process.

During a trial period, the HeatPack reduced drying time to under one hour—a saving of up to 12 hours per cleaning cycle. Considering the plant sometimes performs CIP up to five times a week, the resulting cost savings and return on investment are substantial, demonstrating the tangible value our HeatPack.

Conclusion: A Step Change in Heat Processing

The Secomak Industrial HeatPack represents a genuine leap forward in thermal processing. By combining our long-standing expertise in airflow and heating technology with modern controls and innovative design, we have created a flexible, intelligent, and sustainable solution that meets the industry’s growing demand for precision, portability, and energy efficiency.

When you consider all the key features of the Secomak HeatPack range, it is clear why our customers rely on it so consistently. Across the industries we serve, end users trust the HeatPack to improve their processes and achieve better results every time.

Whether the goal is to improve output, reduce operational costs, or enhance system control, the HeatPack is already delivering measurable value across multiple industries. This makes it a strong contender for the PPMA Award for Innovative Processing System.

1. Introduction: Where Innovation Meets the Beverage Industry

Every four years, the global beverage and liquid food industry converges at Drinktec, held at Messe München in Munich, Germany. With over 70,000 attendees from more than 170 countries, this event is widely regarded as the world’s most influential trade fair for beverage and liquid food technology.

Drinktec isn’t only about showcasing equipment; it’s a launchpad for innovation, where processing, packaging, automation, and marketing intersect. From startups disrupting packaging formats to global brands unveiling the next generation of smart bottling lines, this is where the future of food and drink manufacturing is shaped.

In this article, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about Drinktec:

• What makes it the industry’s flagship event
• Who attends, and why it matters
• Key exhibitor categories and what to expect
• Why Secomak’s technology,  especially in drying machines, is part of the solution mix
• And what you can look forward to at Drinktec 2025
  

If you’re in beverage production, packaging innovation, or liquid food processing, this is one event that should be on your radar.

2. What Is Drinktec? A Global Stage for Beverage & Liquid Food Innovation

First held in 1951 and organised by Messe München, Drinktec has grown into the most prestigious event in the beverage and liquid food processing calendar. It’s where the entire value chain, from ingredients to intelligent packaging, comes together under one roof.

Held every four years in Munich, the event attracts a highly specialised audience of engineers, production managers, R&D professionals, buyers, and decision-makers. Refining a bottling line, sourcing sustainable packaging, or integrating smart factory solutions, Drinktec is the global platform to discover, compare, and invest in new technology.

Key Focus Areas of Drinktec

Drinktec covers a broad scope of solutions tailored to the changing needs of the industry:

• Processing & Filling Machinery – From mixers and pasteurisers to high-speed bottling lines
• Packaging Technologies – Including flexible pouch systems, shrink-sleeve labelling, and carton forming
• Ingredients & Additives – Showcasing flavours, colourants, preservatives, concentrates, and nutrient fortifiers
• Smart Factory & Automation – Featuring robotics, line control systems, predictive maintenance, and AI-driven inspection
• Marketing & Labelling – With innovations in digital printing, traceability, and sustainable branding solutions

Who Attends Drinktec?

Drinktec attracts a global audience with:

• Over 70,000 visitors from 170+ countries
• Thousands of companies, ranging from multinational brands to disruptive start-ups
• Delegations from sectors including beer, soft drinks, juice, dairy, wine, spirits, and functional foods

Secomak’s Role at Drinktec

As the demand for energy-efficient, high-speed, post-fill drying solutions grows, Secomak’s market leading washing and drying systems designed to address customers’ pain points play a critical role in supporting clean and efficient production environments.

Drying retorted pouches, PET bottles, or aluminium cans, systems like the DryGuide Essential offer a reliable way to ensure surfaces are label- and code-ready immediately after sterilisation or washing.

3. Who Exhibits at Drinktec? A Cross-Section of Global Industry Leaders

Drinktec brings together the most comprehensive mix of suppliers, manufacturers, and innovators from across the beverage and liquid food ecosystem. Whether you’re looking for turnkey production lines or pioneering ingredient technologies, the exhibition floor reflects the full supply chain, and then some.

Here’s a breakdown of the major exhibitor categories and what they bring to the table:

1. Machinery & Equipment Manufacturers

At the core of Drinktec are engineering

solutions that drive productivity, safety, and innovation.

Exhibitors include specialists in:

• Filling, sealing, and capping machines
• Labelling systems and shrink-sleeve technology
• Drying machinery, such as Secomak’s market leading, energy-efficient solutions
• Robotics for palletising, depalletising, and pick-and-place applications
• End-of-line solutions for high-volume packaging environments

Secomak is proud to showcase it

s high-performance industrial drying machines for food and drink, supporting post-fill hygiene and speed on modern production lines.

2. Ingredient & Raw Material Suppliers

Drinktec is also home to leading suppliers of:

• Natural flavours and colourants
• Nutritional additives and concentrates
• Functional ingredients for energy drinks, dairy alternatives, and fortified beverages
• Processing aids and stabilisers

These exhibitors enable innovation in taste, health claims, and shelf life.

3. Packaging & Labelling Providers

With sustainability and shelf appeal becoming ever more important, this group focuses on:

• Recyclable and biodegradable packaging
• Flexible pouches and DOY packs
• Smart labelling technologies with QR, NFC, or RFID integration
• Printing and digital branding systems

4. IT & Digital Process Solutions

Smart factories start here. These exhibitors provide:

• AI-driven quality control systems
• Real-time data and traceability software
• IoT-enabled line monitoring and predictive maintenance tools
• Workflow optimisation platforms for global supply chains

5. Startups & Disruptive Innovators

The innovation corner of Drinktec includes:

• Early-stage companies pioneering low-carbon production
• New dispensing technologies
• Consumer-centric smart packaging formats
• Modular plant equipment for smaller, agile facilities

The diverse range of exhibitors makes Drinktec a must-attend event for anyone upgrading a factory, sourcing new packaging, or rethinking a product line.

4. What Makes Drinktec Unique? Global Scale, Groundbreaking Innovation, and Industry Connection

Drinktec isn’t just another trade show; it’s a global innovation hub where the beverage and liquid food sectors set their direction for the future. From unveiling cutting-edge bottling technology to hosting strategic discussions on sustainability and digitisation, Drinktec delivers far more than product showcases.

Here’s what sets Drinktec apart:

Unmatched International Scope

• Attracting professionals from over 170 countries, Drinktec offers one of the most diverse, high-quality audiences in any B2B manufacturing event.
• Visitors range from senior engineers and plant managers to innovation leads and procurement teams from global beverage brands.

This international profile ensures that exhibitors gain not only visibility but also global market reach.

Technology Launchpad

Many of the industry’s biggest announcements happen right here. Leading suppliers regularly choose Drinktec to:

• Launch new product lines
• Unveil prototypes or upgrades to high-speed filling, packaging, or drying systems
• Demonstrate AI-driven innovations for quality control, energy monitoring, and predictive maintenance

If you’re aiming to stay ahead of the curve, Drinktec is the place to track emerging trends and technology first-hand.

Comprehensive Coverage of the Production Lifecycle

Unlike smaller, niche expos, Drinktec covers the entire beverage lifecycle:

• Ingredient sourcing
• Mixing and processing
• Filling, packaging, and capping
• Post-fill drying and coding
• Warehouse automation and logistics
• Consumer experience and sustainability

This holistic approach makes it

invaluable for cross-functional teams, including packaging engineers, as well as leaders from R&D, marketing, operations, and quality assurance.

Executive-Level Networking and Learning

Drinktec provides world-class educational opportunities, including:

• Executive roundtables on industry challenges and market dynamics
• Innovation stages with live tech demos and product walkthroughs
• Future-focused talks on carbon reduction, digital transformation, and circular packaging

It’s more than a trade show — it’s a forum for strategic conversation and long-term planning.

5. Why Should You Attend or Exhibit at Drinktec? Opportunities for Every Role in the Beverage Supply Chain

Whether you’re a global manufacturer, a tech innovator, or a procurement specialist, Drinktec offers real commercial value. Beyond the displays and demos, this is where partnerships are built, technologies are benchmarked, and real-world decisions are made.

Here’s why thousands of busines

ses and professionals make the trip to Munich:

For Buyers: First-Hand Access to Global Innovation

• See and compare technologies side by side, from filling machines and bottling lines to advanced drying systems like Secomak’s DryGuide Essential.
• Assess solutions in live demonstrations before making capital investment decisions
• Connect directly with manufacturers and distributors. No middlemen, no guesswork
• Benchmark supplier performance, sustainability credentials, and maintenance requirements

Drinktec saves time and cost in the long run by centralising your research and supplier engagement.

For Exhibitors & Equipment Manufacturers: Showcase to a Targeted Audience

• Launch new products and collect real-time feedback
• Generate highly qualified leads from international buyers and engineers
• Forge new distribution partnerships across Europe, Asia, and the Americas
• Position your brand as a category leader by participating in technical presentations, live demos, or panel discussions

For brands like Secomak, Drinktec offers more than visibility. It’s a chance to engage directly with engineers and decision-makers driving major production changes.

For Startups & Innovators: Accelerate Market Entry

• Meet venture capitalists, innovation teams, and supply chain leaders in one place
• Gain visibility among key players in beverage manufacturing, packaging, and retail
• Validate new concepts and refine your go-to-market strategy based on direct feedback

If you’re introducing sustainable packaging, smart dispensers, or clean-in-place automation, there’s no better testing ground than Drinktec.

6. Secomak at Drinktec: Engineering Better Drying for Beverage & Liquid Food Production

As a long-standing innovator in drying technology, Secomak is proud to return to Drinktec, showcasing how our solutions support cleaner, faster, and more efficient beverage packaging operations.

What We’re Showcasing

At Drinktec, Secomak will be showcasing the latest in high-performance post-fill drying, including:

• The DryGuide Essential: A compact, energy-efficient drying machine designed for high-speed lines — ideal for pouches, bottles, and cans
• Non-contact drying systems: Remove surface moisture while protecting sensitive labels and films
• Modular drying units: Built to integrate seamlessly into tight production spaces or retrofit existing lines
• A working conveyor loop: Demonstrating our latest innovations in drying performance and hygiene within a live production-style setup

📍 Find us in Hall B4, Stand 530 — shown on the floorplan below.

Follow our LinkedIn Page for behind-the-scenes updates, product highlights, and videos live from the show.

These solutions are trusted across beverage categories, including ready-to-drink juices, plant-based milks, sauces and soft drinks, and meet the hygiene standards of food and pharmaceutical production.

Our experts will also be on hand to offer:

• Line audits and energy-saving assessments
• Support with retrofitting or replacing legacy equipment
• Guidance on achieving consistent drying for downstream labelling and coding

Our Legacy at Drinktec

Secomak has attended multiple Drinktec cycles, each time connecting with industry professionals seeking reliability, sustainability, and long-term value. Previous shows have led to:

• Global supply agreements
• OEM integrations
• Direct end-user installations in beverage plants across Europe

Whether you’re scaling up production or modernising an existing line, we’re here to support your drying requirements, backed by 90+ years of engineering experience.

Stay Connected

Follow Secomak on LinkedIn for:

• Stand updates and build previews
• Live videos from the exhibition floor
• Technical insights and customer stories from Drinktec 2025

Want to schedule a face-to-face consultation or product demo? Contact Secomak now, and we’ll reserve time at the show for you.

7. Conclusion: Why Drinktec Should Be on Every Beverage Manufacturer’s Radar

In an industry defined by fast-moving innovation and rising consumer expectations, Drinktec stands out as the premier event where technology meets transformation.

From processing and packaging to automation and ingredient science, the show gives beverage and liquid food professionals a unique opportunity to:

• Explore new solutions for efficiency and sustainability
• Connect with suppliers and innovators from across the globe
• Benchmark technologies that can future-proof their production lines
• Experience industry-first launches from leaders like Secomak

For manufacturers, bottlers, R&D teams, and plant engineers, this is not just a trade show. It’s where meaningful change starts.

What’s Next?

Register interest for Drinktec to stay informed and plan your visit

Follow Secomak on LinkedIn for behind-the-scenes updates and show-day insights
Contact Secomak to schedule a one-on-one discussion or demo at the exhibition

We’ll see you in Munich.

1. Introduction: Why the UK Remains a Leader in Packaging & Processing

The UK has long been recognised as a global centre for manufacturing excellence, particularly in processing and packaging technology. With strong roots in engineering, automation, and innovation, UK companies continue to set benchmarks for efficiency, safety, and sustainability across various industries, including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and personal care.

At the heart of this innovation landscape is the PPMA Total Show, the UK’s flagship event for processing and packaging machinery. Held every three years at the NEC Birmingham, it brings together the very best in automation, robotics, materials handling, and packaging design.

As the most comprehensive event of its kind in the country, the PPMA Total Show is more than a trade fair; it’s a launchpad for new technologies, a hub for business connections, and a barometer for where the industry is heading.

In this article, we’ll explore:

• What the PPMA Total Show is and why it matters
• Who exhibits and the sectors they serve
• What makes the event a standout on the UK manufacturing calendar
• Why businesses, from startups to multinationals, should attend or exhibit
• And how Secomak will be contributing to this year’s event

Planning to upgrade your packaging line, invest in smarter automation, or launching new products? This is the go to event for forward-thinking manufacturers.

2. What Is the PPMA Total Show? The UK’s Flagship Processing & Packaging Event

The PPMA Total Show is the UK’s most expansive and influential trade fair for processing and packaging machinery. Held every three years, unlike the annual PPMA Show, it brings together three major exhibitions into one comprehensive event:

• PPMA Show – Focused on machinery for packaging and processing
• Pakex – Centred on packaging materials, containers, and technologies
• Interphex – Dedicated to pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing solutions

Together, these co-located exhibitions create a 360-degree view of the UK manufacturing ecosystem, from primary production to end-of-line automation.

Who Organises It?

The event is run by the Processing and Packaging Machinery Association (PPMA), an industry body established in 1988 to support UK-based and international manufacturers of automation equipment and processing technology.

What You’ll See at the PPMA Total Show

Spanning multiple halls at the NEC Birmingham, the PPMA Total Show covers a wide array of sectors and technologies, including:

• Packaging Machinery – Filling, sealing, capping, and shrink-wrapping systems
• Automation & Robotics – Including cobots, inspection systems, and smart control interfaces
• Materials Handling – Conveying, weighing, palletising, and sorting
• Digital Integration – Line monitoring, traceability software, and Industry 4.0 solutions

Serving a range of industries, including:

• Food and Beverage
• Pharmaceuticals and Biotech
• Personal Care and Cosmetics
• Household and Cleaning Products

This year’s event promises a greater number of exhibitors, cutting-edge innovations, and more actionable insights than ever before, all under one roof.

3. Who Exhibits at the PPMA Total Show? An Industry-Wide Showcase of Innovation

One of the most valuable aspects of the PPMA Total Show is its wide range of exhibitors, covering every facet of the production, packaging, and automation processes. From complete turnkey systems to individual components for upgrading existing lines, this event brings together leading global suppliers and agile UK-based innovators.

Core Exhibitor Categories

These are the exhibitors you can expect to see at the show:

1. Machinery Manufacturers

Exhibitors support everything from small batch operations to large-scale continuous production lines.

• Filling, capping, and sealing machinery
• Flow wrapping and shrink-wrapping solutions
• Labelling and coding systems
• Palletising and end-of-line equipment

2. Automation and Robotics Specialists

Automation companies are increasingly showcasing Industry 4.0-ready solutions, designed to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and increase data visibility.

• AI-powered inspection systems
• Vision-guided robotics and collaborative robots (cobots)
• Smart control panels and SCADA software
• Integrated production line automation

3. Packaging Designers and Material Suppliers

From recyclable plastics to custom-printed flexible films, packaging design companies are responding to the growing demand for sustainability. ,including innovations in:

• Sustainable packaging
• Smart labelling
• Tamper-proof and resealable pouches

4. OEM Component and Systems Providers

Critical components, such as sensors, valves, drives, and enclosures, are all on display, essential for engineers looking to repair, upgrade, or retrofit.

5. Turnkey Solution Providers

Looking for a fully integrated system? Several exhibitors specialise in end-to-end line design and implementation, delivering everything from initial concept to final commissioning.

With a mix of established global leaders and high-performance niche innovators, the PPMA Total Show stands out as a dynamic marketplace for cutting-edge production solutions.

4. What Makes the PPMA Total Show Stand Out?

In a crowded landscape of trade events, the PPMA Total Show distinguishes itself through depth, relevance, and accessibility. It’s not just another machinery exhibition, it offers a comprehensive view of  the entire production lifecycle, framed by UK industry expertise and resonating with a global audience.

1. UK-Focused, Internationally Connected

While it champions British manufacturing excellence, the show welcomes exhibitors and buyers from across Europe and beyond. This blend of local expertise and global insight creates an ideal space for sourcing, networking, and benchmarking.

2. Full Production Line Coverage

Unlike events with a narrow niche, the PPMA Total Show spans:

• Primary processing equipment
• Packaging machinery and systems
• Inspection, labelling, and traceability solutions
• Automation, robotics, and digital technologies

This makes it uniquely positioned to serve everyone from plant managers and engineers to packaging designers and procurement leads.

3. High-Value Networking

The event attracts a senior-level audience, including:

• Operations and production directors
• Procurement and purchasing managers
• R&D and technical engineers
• C-suite executives from manufacturing and supply chain firms

Face-to-face meetings with key decision-makers provide genuine opportunities to establish partnerships, discuss projects, and gain hands-on experience with new technologies.

4. Education Built In

The show features a packed programme of:

• Free-to-attend seminars and expert panels
• Live equipment demonstrations
• Discussions on industry-critical topics like sustainability, AI integration, and smart factories

This makes it just as valuable for strategic learning as it is for sourcing.

5. Easy to Attend

• Free registration for all trade visitors
• Held at the NEC Birmingham, a major UK venue with excellent road, rail, and airport links
• Central location for domestic and international visitors

5. Why Should You Attend or Exhibit at the PPMA Total Show?

From buyers upgrading production lines to tech suppliers launching innovations and startups breaking into the market, the PPMA Total Show delivers unmatched value.

For Manufacturers & Plant Operators

• Discover the Latest Machinery: From high-speed pouch dryers to intelligent inspection systems, the show is a one-stop shop for exploring innovations that can improve production output and reduce downtime.
• Evaluate Automation Upgrades: Compare integrated robotic solutions, software platforms, and retrofitting options side by side to determine the best fit for your needs.
• Meet Engineering Specialists: Engage directly with technical reps and consultants who can advise on process optimisation or equipment customisation.

For Technology Providers & OEMs

• Showcase Solutions in Action: Demonstrate your machinery or system capabilities to a targeted audience actively seeking upgrades.
• Generate Quality Leads: The PPMA Total Show is attended by procurement professionals, site engineers, and senior buyers looking for viable vendors.
• Build Market Awareness: Present yourself alongside industry leaders and grow your visibility in the UK and European markets.

For Startups & Innovators

• Cost-Effective Market Entry: Exhibit in a space designed to welcome emerging technologies and new brands.
• Test Concepts in Real Time: Gain valuable feedback from qualified visitors, industry veterans, and potential investors.
• Form Strategic Partnerships: Whether you’re developing sustainable packaging or IoT solutions, the PPMA network opens doors to new opportunities.

For Buyers, Distributors & Consultants

• Compare Equipment Live: Get hands-on with machines, view demos, and assess build quality and functionality first-hand.
• Negotiate Face-to-Face: Finalise deals or initiate conversations directly with manufacturers, involving fewer middlemen.
• Understand Emerging Trends: The show offers a macro view of where packaging and processing are heading in the UK.

No matter your role in the manufacturing supply chain, attending the PPMA Total Show can accelerate decision-making, improve operations, and forge long-term commercial relationships.

6. Secomak’s Attendance at the PPMA Total Show

As a trusted UK manufacturer with over 90 years of engineering excellence, Secomak will be returning to the PPMA Total Show to demonstrate our latest innovations in drying technology.

Where to Find Us

Our stand location is E82. Check the Secomak Events Page, PPMA for updates or follow us on LinkedIn for real-time announcements.

We’ll be based in one of the show’s high-traffic demonstration zones, ideally placed for live product walk-throughs and expert-led consultations.

What We’re Showcasing

At this year’s PPMA Total Show, we’re bringing live demonstrations of our most in-demand products, including the DryGuide Essential system and an innovative conveyor

cleaning solution. All of our drying technologies will also be accessible via our interactive 3D showroom.

We’ll also provide hands-on advice on:

• Custom drying and heating system integration
• Retrofitting Secomak units to existing lines
• Energy efficiency strategies to reduce running costs

Our Track Record at PPMA

Secomak has been a regular exhibitor at PPMA for over a decade. In previous shows, we’ve connected with hundreds of engineers, plant managers, and procurement teams, many of whom went on to become long-term customers.

We’re proud to say our stand consistently attracts high-quality conversations, real project enquiries, and strong post-show engagement.

“Secomak’s live demos were a highlight of the show. Their team really understands what manufacturers need.”

Production Manager, Food Packaging Firm (previous PPMA attendee)

Stay connected by following us on LinkedIn for pre-show behind-the-scenes content, stand previews, and live updates during the event.

7. Conclusion: Innovation, Connection & Opportunity at PPMA

The PPMA Total Show isn’t just a date in the calendar, it’s the UK’s flagship stage for processing and packaging innovation. For manufacturers, engineers, and technology providers, it offers a rare opportunity to step out of the day-to-day and engage with the people, tools, and ideas shaping the industry’s future.

As the sector continues to evolve toward greater automation, energy efficiency, and system integration, events like PPMA are where decisions are made, trends are defined, and relationships are built.

Secomak’s presence at the show reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering solutions that make a real impact.

Next Steps

Register for the PPMA Total Show. It’s free and only takes a minute.
Contact Secomak to schedule a demo or meeting at the show.
Visit the Secomak Events Page – PPMA for updates, product previews, and resources.
Follow Secomak on LinkedIn for behind-the-scenes access, booth setup content, and highlights from the event.

Whether you’re upgrading your line, sourcing automation, or just exploring what’s possible, we’ll see you at the NEC.