Gainsborough-based
GIC, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of vertical form fill and seal (VFFS) packaging machines, is targeting new markets with the launch of two new machines and four key appointments. As part of a strategic growth plan, the company has just added the GIC200 and GIC400 to its range.
Designed to offer a cost-effective solution for lower-speed applications or for entrepreneurial businesses at the early stage of automating their manufacturing processes, the new machines are expected to appeal to coffee, snack and hardware packers.
To support this move, GIC has recruited Steve Benson as applications manager to target these sectors. Mr Benson, formerly managing director of
Technosys , brings to the role over 18 years’ experience in developing UK packaging solutions for businesses including coffee roasters, hardware manufacturers, pet food producers and snack and confectionery packers. His expertise is considered pivotal in increasing GIC’s presence in these markets.
He is joined by his former colleague Adam Craven, who brings 13 years’ experience working on VFFS machines to his new role as field service engineer. Third-year electrical apprentice Tyler Johnstone has also moved his apprenticeship to GIC this month. The fourth appointment is Nigel Box, who has accepted the role of support engineer for users of Cotswold linear weighers. These were added to GIC’s portfolio last month when it purchased Cotswold Mechanical Ltd’s intellectual property, stock and spare parts inventory following the company’s liquidation. Mr Box worked at Cotswold Mechanical Ltd for 15 years and has a wealth of experience.
Exciting timesGIC managing director Andy Beal said: “This is a very exciting time for GIC. I think it is fair to say that the company is very well-known in several sectors, including fresh produce, frozen foods, leaf salad and aggregates, and we are pleased to say we work with some of the largest companies in those industries. Since Luke Murphy and I bought the business in 2006, we have worked hard to develop a range of vertical form fill and seal baggers that offer the highest possible quality, reliability and efficiency, and to provide excellent after-sales support to our customers.”
He continued: “We have always focused on working in the industries in which we have in-depth knowledge so that we can add value to our customers. Now, with the appointment of Steve, Adam and Nigel, our team has detailed and strategic knowledge of sectors such as coffee, pet food and hardware that were previously opportunistic for GIC. By designing our new pneumatic GIC200 and GIC400 range to provide solutions in these sectors, we are very excited about seeing how this opportunity develops.”
The GIC200 is an intermittent-motion pneumatic machine with motorised film feed, ideal for producing a wide range of pack formats with bag widths of 30 to 250mm. It incorporates robust, proven mechanical design and the latest Rockwell Allen Bradley controls to ensure industry-leading reliability and low cost of ownership. The GIC400 is the larger sibling to the GIC200, producing bag widths of up to 400mm. As well as coffee and powders, the new machines are suited to packing snacks, confectionery, hardware, pulses, pet foods, fresh foods and liquids.
Mr Murphy concluded: “GIC has grown its team and turnover at a steady and sustained rate over the last four decades so it is unprecedented for the company to add four new people, develop and launch two new machines, purchase the rights to a well-established and well-respected brand such as Cotswold Mechanical weighers and to be targeting new markets in such a short space of time. Everyone at GIC is looking forward to 2026 as we are sure it will be a pivotal year for the business.”