Starting a Potato Chip Line

I know Toray Plastics and Versapack both supply film stock for doing chips. I believe Versapack can supply pre-formed bags as well. I'll check tomorrow and see who is supplying our poly bag film and whether they do metalized or opp, which is usually used for chips.

Before talking to any of them you need to know how you are scaling, packing, and sealing. And you need to know, or have a reasonable idea of volume. The more volume you use, the better deal you can get them to commit to. You also need to know how you are going to purchase. If you are wanting to buy a pallet of film stock but Dunn and Bradstreet have never heard of you then be prepared to pay up front. This goes for most of the supplies you need for start-up.

Good luck with your chips.

Can you fly me over there to be your quality controller and chief taster??

John

Spencer,

What you said, I can assume you are started out. You may have to work with other processes concurrently, Not only graphics, but the packaging equipment also. Do not know how you are packaging, with a weigh scale such as a Triangle (a manufacturer) or by hand or ??.

May I ask what your process goals are. Because these will reflect in your packaging decisions.

Also what types of process and chips are you considering.

Kettle type, which is batching tends to be more of your "gourmet" snacks or continuous, higher volume.

phoenix911

Contact www.unitech-group.com for advise

There are methods of using digital printing for bag materials. I believe HP / Indigo is one technology that can do this, Xeikon should be able to as well. This can be cost effective for up to medium length runs, after which you have to look at large vendors.

You might want to start with these guys, if they can't do it they can point you in the right direction:

http://www.millerbags.com/index_english.html

And to think I used to work in a Frito-Lay factory....

My serious post:

You got the sweet end of the deal if you just have to do graphics!

Talk to a few suppliers and see what they can do for samples. I worked briefly on a project for food production and it was very interesting to see what was available.

Plastics: Talk to a seller because there are a lot of kinds. Some that are completely hermetically sealed...others allow the food to breath.

Graphics: Ink on the outside (more choice for plastics) Ink on the inside (won't wear as much but plastic must be clear)

Samples/demos are great...most suppliers will bend over backwards to get you as a client and YOU SHOULD MAKE THEM! Seriously, they're going to be getting a cut on your profits BEFORE YOU DO so make sure they're giving you the service and product you need. We went to cardboard box suppliers and asked for some samples...some gave us a box or two...one came in with a semi trailer full of several thousand that were custom cut for our clamshell packages...and they turned out to be the cheapest and the decision was a no-brainer.

Industrial food machinery is very pricey so make sure to look around and even buy some used if you need to get started. We had some demo machines dropped off because we weren't sure what functionality we would need. There are off-the-shelf machines to do everything from forming bags & boxes to weighing and portioning how much goes in each one. Best to start slow and build with the demand instead of biting off more production capacity than you can chew (pay for) before your marketing pays off.

Have fun and don't eat all the product or you'll inflate faster than your profits.

bob c,

Use those people to do the packaging. Kids? Try going to some after-school daycare program. They would be happy to find something to keep the kids busy for a couple of hours.They can stuff the bags and draw on then both.

Have to be careful about that. (due to the legal system, for the lawyer who sees a way to make a buck).

What happens when an outbreak of e.coli or salmonella. is traced to these chips.

What a marketing gem. One potato chip in an envelope, and bulk mailing. They were made for each other.

Packaging is not that simple when is used for human consumption, for the same reason I mentioned above.

too bad though, their were good ideas.

Would you be implying a lawyer might be opportunistic?

Now that would depend on which side one would take............... yes overly ...

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22potato+chip+manufacturing%22&btnG=Google+Search