Established in 1984 Shawpak Systems prides itself on providing high level technical sales and support to our valued customer base. Offering solutions for Product Inspection, Packaging and Hygiene equipment sales and after sales support including certified customer training on site or at our Centre of Excellence training and demonstration facility.

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Chicken Packaging Machine

A poultry packaging machine is an automated system designed to wrap, seal, and prepare chicken and other poultry products for distribution, protecting them from contamination while maintaining product integrity throughout the supply chain. Shawpak Systems Ltd, based in Oakville, Ontario, supplies and supports these systems across North America, serving meat processing operations, food manufacturing facilities, and cold-chain logistics providers who need reliable, food-safe packaging automation.

1. Understanding Shrink Wrapping Technology in Modern Poultry Processing

Shrink wrapping remains the dominant method for poultry packaging because it creates an airtight, tamper-evident barrier while allowing visibility of the product. The process works in three stages: the film is loosely wrapped around the chicken package, heat is applied to soften the plastic film, and as the film cools, it contracts tightly around the product. This contraction creates a seal that is both protective and visually appealing on retail shelves.

The heat source and film type directly affect your results. Steam tunnels and electric tunnels both work, but steam systems are faster for high-volume operations while electric systems offer more precise temperature control for delicate products. Film thickness typically ranges from 50 to 100 microns, with thicker film providing greater puncture resistance but slower shrink rates. Shawpak Systems Ltd provides shrink wrapping machinery selection consultation to help you match equipment specifications to your production volume, product type, and facility constraints.

2. Throughput, Line Integration, and Production Capacity Requirements

Production speed is measured in packages per minute, and this number varies dramatically based on package size and film type. A typical poultry packaging system for small to medium facilities processes between 30 and 80 packages per minute, while high-speed operations designed for major processors can exceed 150 packages per minute. Before selecting equipment, calculate your daily production target in kilograms, divide by average package weight, and confirm that the machine's rated throughput meets or exceeds your peak-hour demand with a 15 to 20 percent safety margin.

Line integration is equally critical. Your packaging machine must communicate smoothly with upstream weighing and labeling systems and downstream conveyor and cooling equipment. Mismatched speeds create bottlenecks and product backup. Shawpak Systems Ltd conducts on-site technical assessments at your facility to evaluate existing equipment, floor space, electrical capacity, and steam or compressed air availability before recommending a system. This consultation-first approach prevents costly mistakes and ensures the new machinery fits your operation without requiring extensive facility modifications.

3. Food Safety, Hygiene Standards, and Material Compliance

Poultry packaging equipment must meet strict food contact surface standards. All components that touch product or film must be food-grade stainless steel, and the machine design must allow complete disassembly for cleaning without tools. Many facilities require validation that seals are performed at minimum temperatures to eliminate pathogenic bacteria and that film materials comply with FDA and Canadian food packaging regulations. This is not optional; regulatory inspections specifically examine packaging equipment documentation.

Beyond material compliance, the machine itself must minimize contamination risk. Look for systems with sealed bearings, sloped surfaces to prevent water pooling, and designs that eliminate sharp corners or crevices where bacteria can harbor. hygiene solutions integrated into your facility-such as boot cleaning stations and hand sanitization systems positioned at production area entry points-work in tandem with your packaging equipment to maintain the contamination prevention your customers expect. Shawpak Systems Ltd offers on-site training to your team on proper sanitation protocols specific to your equipment model, and provides parts distribution for replacement seals, heating elements, and film guides that wear with regular use.

4. Maintenance, Parts Availability, and After-Sales Support Across North America

Equipment downtime in poultry processing is expensive. A packaging machine offline for even two hours can cost thousands in lost production. This reality makes supplier proximity and parts availability non-negotiable. Shawpak Systems Ltd maintains dedicated after-sales support across Canada and the USA, ensuring that replacement parts-heating elements, film rollers, seal jaws, and control boards-ship quickly and that technical troubleshooting is available when problems occur.

Preventive maintenance schedules are equally important. Most poultry packaging systems require monthly inspection of heating elements, quarterly replacement of seal jaw covers, and annual recalibration of temperature sensors. Create a maintenance log and stick to it; preventive replacements cost far less than emergency repairs that halt production. Shawpak Systems Ltd's Centre of Excellence demonstration facility in Oakville provides training not only on operation but also on routine maintenance tasks your team can perform in-house. This partnership approach-where you understand your equipment deeply and have a trusted supplier backing you-protects your production continuity and extends equipment lifespan.

If you operate a poultry processing, meat packaging, or food manufacturing facility anywhere in North America and want expert guidance on selecting, installing, and maintaining packaging equipment, contact Shawpak Systems Ltd. Their technical team will assess your specific needs, recommend equipment matched to your production goals, and provide the training and support your operation deserves.