German technology for Italian pasta

Oct 03, 2019

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History of the collaboration between La Molisana SpA and Rovema GmbH: a superior quality Italian made pasta is packaged thanks to the experience of a German manufacturer.

A relationship of trust built and grown over time, that between La Molisana and Rovema which is today the exclusive supplier of the packaging machines operating in Campobasso.
The facilities of the historic Italian pasta manufacturer, renowned for the quality of the raw materials (all local) and processing, is located 730 meters high in the heart of Molise, in the midst of unspoiled nature and in a territory with a strong cereal vocation - here, in the early 1900s, the first artisan milling workshops were set up, the so-called “maccaronari” - thus benefiting from the ideal conditions for the production of pasta, a longstanding tradition going back over 100 years of which La Molisana has been ambassador throughout the world.

The reasons behind a collaboration
As explained by the Operations Director, Dr. Flavio Ferro: «Having bought the factory in 2011, we immediately committed ourselves to repositioning the brand on international markets and relaunching the site, going by way of the restructuring of the machinery; it was immediately evident that the only operational and reliable packaging machines, even considering they had not been serviced for 10 years, were the Rovema SBS 250 Single machines.
We then entered into contact with Rovema Italy to purchase some spare parts and, from that first approach, a close relationship of collaboration, based on esteem and mutual trust, began. An investment, ours, rewarded by the technical and relational skills expressed by Rovema: an attitude not so common among machine builders. I would like to cite as an example - continues Ferro - the competent and proactive support given by Rovema’s trainers in training our operators and line technicians, an operation that La Molisana considers crucial to fully exploit the machines’ potential and avoid errors that could generate high costs. The fact is that, given the planning of further investments in new lines, we will certainly be able to count on the skills and experience of Rovema, certain that we have placed our trust in the right organization. And even when, inevitably, we decide to switch to paper packaging - the manager concludes - they will be able to follow us closely».

ROVEMA SBS 250 TWIN, Double speed with only a 19% larger footprint.

Flexible, compact, sustainable
The Rovema packaging machines at work in the La Molisana plant in Campobasso are the SBS 250 Twin.
They offer a concentration of innovative technologies, which guarantees high production speeds - 160 “double block bottom” bags per minute – taking up only 19% more floor space than that of an SBS 250 Single.
The decisive factor for these machines is flexibility, which also derives from their modular design and construction.
The SBS 250 Twin model can in fact process almost all heat-sealable packaging materials, but also biodegradable ones or again, materials obtained from renewable resources - such as paper - that could help reduce the use of plastic in packaging processes, thus responding to a widespread social and cultural need.
As a guarantee of the investment over time, the possibility therefore of converting the machine to the processing of alternative materials, without of course in any way impinging on their ability to work traditional plastic mineral oil based films, even ones of low thickness and with low weld heights.A further expression of the versatility of the SBS 250 Twin is the wide range of “bag heads” achievable, with the aim of giving a precise “identity” to the product on display on the shelf.
In support of the “technical” capabilities of the packaging machines, Rovema provides the expertise and experience of a prompt and effective customer service, able to supply spare parts, on-site technical assistance or a remote service via modem.

In the photo, from left, Ing. Giovanni Consalvi (Maintenance Manager - La Molisana), Nadja Richter (Marketing and Communication Manager - Rovema GmbH), Dott. Flavio Ferro (Managing Director - La Molisana), Peter Lökös (Vice President Sales - Rovema GmbH). Dott.ssa Rosella Ferro (Marketing Manager - La Molisana), Ing. Miguel Tortola (Managing Director - Rovema Italia).

The importance of packaging
In the last 8 years, La Molisana has carried out a complex task of redefining the entire primary and secondary pack system, thus addressing all the problems generated both by the change in materials and packaging systems.
The restyling has provided for the categorization and differentiation of the sub-ranges (classic, wholemeal, special formats, gluten free, food service) for which different packs have been made, united by a strong “family feeling”.
Evocative colors (without forgetting the traditional white), transparency and a skilful search for lettering, fonts and claims; the identity of the product is underlined by the “bag head”, which can be achieved thanks to the flexibility of Rovema machines, which play a decisive role in the speed with which La Molisana can change its packaging.