Ossid / Reepack Help Setup Bornstein Seafoods for Long-Term Vacuum Skin Packaging Success

Learn more about the ReeForm Series Thermoforming Packaging Machine.

As consumer preferences toward more healthy options continues to rise, the seafood industry is embracing vacuum skin package (VSP) as a preferred style to better present products such as salmon, cod, tilapia, and halibut with retailers. VSP creates an attractive method to package fish as it drapes a thin layer of plastic film over the product, providing consumers a clear view of the product in their hands.

Bornstein Seafoods is a believer in vacuum skin packaging as well. The Bellingham, Washington-based company was seeing new business opportunities for vacuum skin packaging its products within its retail and direct-to-consumer markets. The only problem was its two existing VSP machines had reached their capacity; the company was turning away business.

“The ReeForm T55 is a game-changer for Bornstein because it gives them great flexibility to be able to run three different styles of packages on the same machine and do so very efficiently,” said Brian Guillaume, Regional Sales Manager, Ossid. “This is something their other two machines cannot do.

“Since going with Reepack we’ve basically doubled our production by one machine,” Knutzen said. “We have no complaints on the mechanical side; customer service has been top notch.

Bornstein Seafoods, a family-owned business since 1934, operates processing and buying stations from the Pacific Northwest through Canada. Now in its third generation, the company is committed to quality, productivity, professionalism, and teamwork. With five facilities located on the water, including Bellingham, Washington, Bornstein ensures fresh fish is filleted and sent to consumers daily.

Traditionally a wholesale supplier, Bornstein recently upgraded its Bellingham facility to add more value to its products by offering seafood with different seasonings, portion sizes, and other variations. This approach provides higher margins for retailers and high-quality meal choices for consumers. To achieve this, Bornstein turned to vacuum skin packaging, ideal for individually packaging and presenting value-added products.

Bornstein chose the Reepack ReeForm T55 thermoformer from Ossid for their vacuum skin packaging needs. The T55 offers flexibility to run different packaging styles, including tight vacuum packs and vacuum skin packs, with quick changeovers. It can also handle modified atmosphere packages. Key requirements for the new thermoformer included the ability to run 10K OTR film, FDA-approved for fish packaging, a small footprint, and the flexibility to handle multiple packaging styles. The T55 meets all these needs.

The T55 features a robust stainless steel frame and easy-open panels for quick service access. It handles semi-rigid and flexible packaging with fast, easy changeovers. Its wider end feed accommodates longer die sets for whole fish or longer fillets. The machine ensures a tight, clean vacuum seal, enhancing product presentation and reducing retail shrink.

Bornstein uses the T55 for various seafood, including halibut, sockeye salmon, Pacific cod, and rockfish. The machine operates about 10 hours a day, five to six days a week, consistently producing high-quality packages. Bornstein appreciates the T55's reliability, easy-to-use pictorial HMI screen, and localized support from Ossid's highly trained service technicians.

The partnership with Ossid has enabled Bornstein to expand its value-added business, packaging more types of fish efficiently. Bornstein is very satisfied with their decision to work with Ossid and looks forward to growing their product offerings.