Case Study: Maestrani Schweizer Schokoladen

“We are very satisfied with the solution and would work with ITECH again anytime”

André Pfister, Production Manager

Challenge

The previously used weigher had grown outdated. Its performance no longer met the requirements, accuracy declined, and the line increasingly became a bottleneck in production. “The old weigher was simply too inaccurate and could no longer meet our cycle rates” recalls André Pfister, Production Manager at Maestrani. Replacement was inevitable, especially given the rapidly growing volume: around 4,500 tons of chocolate leave the Flawil plant each year and this number is rising.

Solution

After a careful evaluation phase, the choice fell on the Ishida SE3 Multihead Weigher with 14 heads, supplied and installed by ITECH AG.

“Collaboration with ITECH went extremely smoothly from planning to testing with original product samples to commissioning” says Pfister.
The new system works in combination with an existing flow pack machine and was optimized for filling a wide variety of formats: from 110 gram stand-up pouches to 1 kilogram flat bags and cans. The smallest products weigh just 5 grams, including the well-known “Minerli,” while large chocolate figures can weigh up to 22 grams.
A key success factor is the close partnership with Ishida, whose reliable and internationally proven technology forms the basis of every ITECH solution.

Added value for the customer

The deployment of the new Ishida Multihead weigher brings numerous benefits to Maestrani:

• Increased speed: Targeted 40 cycles per minute are not only achieved but sometimes exceeded, depending on the pack format;
• Higher accuracy: Less overfill, more precise dosing, lower raw material waste.
• Reduced waste: Fewer damaged or incorrectly weighed products;
• Quick training and operational competence: Employees and mechanics were comprehensively trained and can now independently create programs and fine-tune settings, greatly enhancing operational flexibility.