In the fast-paced world of beverage and food manufacturing, production line agility is no longer a luxury, it is a competitive necessity. With increasing product diversification, frequent format changes, and shorter production runs becoming the norm, manufacturers are demanding more from their equipment suppliers. Among the most transformative developments in this arena are universal and adjustable change parts, solutions that significantly reduce changeover times while enhancing operational flexibility.

Leading manufacturers like PE Labellers and MBF S.p.A. are offering these innovations, demonstrating how intelligent mechanical design can streamline production and reduce downtime.

From Custom to Universal: A Paradigm Shift

Traditionally, format changes on bottling and labelling lines required bespoke change parts, each tailored to a specific container shape or size. These parts were not only costly and storage-intensive but also time-consuming to replace, often demanding skilled technicians and prolonged line stoppages.

This legacy approach is giving way to modular, universal, and self-adjusting components, such as those integrated in PE Labellers’ Modular SL system and MBF’s Monoblock configurations. These solutions represent a design philosophy shift, from static machinery to dynamic systems capable of self-adjustment or minimal manual intervention.

The Case for Universal Fittings

Universal fittings and adaptable components dramatically reduce changeover complexity. PE Labellers, for example, offers modular labelling systems that can handle multiple container types on a single platform, without the need for separate change parts. Their Modular SL labellers feature a plug-and-play design where labelling stations can be interchanged or upgraded with ease, supporting multiple label types and application methods. This level of interchangeability translates to a changeover time measured in minutes and seconds, not hours.

Similarly, MBF’s monoblock solutions offer integrated rinsing, filling, and capping stations with quick-release, tool-free change parts and height-adjustable platforms. With built-in memory recipes and servo-assisted adjustments, these systems support rapid transitions between formats while ensuring consistency in product handling and quality.

Quantifying the Gains

The operational gains are tangible:

• Time savings of 50–80% during format changeovers.
• Reduced labour requirements, with fewer technicians needed for adjustments.
• Lower inventory costs, due to fewer dedicated change parts.
• Improved OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) by minimising unproductive downtime

In sectors where line efficiency directly correlates with profitability, these improvements are not merely incremental, they’re transformational.

Supporting a Leaner, Greener Operation

Beyond speed and cost-efficiency, universal change parts also contribute to sustainability goals. Fewer change parts mean fewer resources consumed in manufacturing and maintenance. Moreover, rapid changeovers enable shorter production runs if the schedule demands, enabling manufacturers
to meet demand more responsively and with less waste.

Local Expertise: Evolution BPS in the UK Market

Both PE Labellers and MBF S.p.A. have built longstanding partnerships with Evolution BPS, who serve as their dedicated representative in the UK. As a trusted local partner, Evolution BPS brings critical added value by supporting these advanced technologies with a team of UK-based technicians trained directly by the OEMs. This localised service capability ensures that British manufacturers receive not only cutting-edge European engineering, but also responsive technical support, integration expertise, and hands-on changeover assistance—delivering the full benefit of universal, high-performance systems with the reassurance of domestic support.

Looking Ahead

The future of packaging machinery lies in adaptability by design. As consumer preferences evolve and SKU proliferation accelerates, manufacturers will continue to seek out equipment that can match their pace. Suppliers who invest in universal fitting systems and quick-change modularity will not only stand out but set new industry benchmarks.

PE Labellers and MBF S.p.A., supported in the UK by Evolution BPS, exemplify how this future is being built, one flexible, efficient, and universally compatible system at a time.