Press Release: 5 May 2015

Presona baler improves capacity for Yeovil confidential shredding company

Two companies, both based in Somerset, have joined forces to improve local recycling capacity.

M & J Bowers, a leading confidential shredding and recycling company based in Yeovil, has installed a newly refurbished Presona baler, expanding its baling capacity by more than 50%. The new unit also allows the company to extend the material streams being baled, switching easily between shredded paper and cardboard as required. Presona UK's headquarters are in Bridgwater.
 

 

M & J Bowers is a growing family-run recycling business which has been providing confidential document disposal, charity shop recycling support and commercial recycling services to organisations across the south for more than 40 years. The business is a leading provider of secure destruction services, recycling more than 10,000 tonnes a year and working for organisations, including local authorities and schools, throughout Somerset, the South West and as far afield as the West Midlands, Gloucestershire and London.

During 2014, the company extended its cardboard collection, recycling and export service and put in place plans to grow the service further during 2015/16. Part of the expansion plan involved an upgrade of recycling plant to increase capacity and improve productivity.

"Our baler was OK, but at 27 years old it soon became clear that while it could bale shredded paper, it couldn't cope with cardboard," explained Managing Director John Bowers. "It was working at capacity and needed constant operator supervision to produce a consistent bale quality."

To meet the growing throughput of cardboard and prepare for new tender commitments, John decided it was time to replace the baler. He assessed three brands to ensure the new equipment would not only meet current requirements but would also match the outgoing baler for long service.

Top of his specification list was a baler with a reputation for reliability, flexibility and the ability to cope with high material volumes. He needed a system that could be tailored to M & J Bowers' requirements and was supplied and installed with a full warranty. John was also keen to find a supplier with a quick and local service agreement.

A Presona LP 50 VH2 met all of these requirements. "As soon as the new Presona baler was installed we realised just how much the old one had been struggling," said John.

"We can bale both shredded paper and cardboard, switching between materials as required. Our throughput has increased, and yet the speed of the new baler means that it still has more than 50 per cent capacity available. It's extremely flexible, easy to use and efficient - and unlike its predecessor, it doesn't need constant operator supervision.

"It will allow us to continue growing and is exactly what we had hoped for," he said.

The Presona LP 50 VH2 has a press force of 50 tonnes and has a material throughput of 15 tonnes per hour (for shredded paper). As with all Presona LP Series balers, this new model incorporates pre-press technology. When compared to a traditional shear baler, this delivers a significant reduction in energy costs as all of the power goes into the compaction process. And, because the process is more streamlined, the units suffer less wear and tear, emit less noise, and are more streamlined than their counterparts.

As the new baler was a refurbished unit, the Presona team spent six weeks cleaning, stripping, shot blasting and re-spraying it in M & J Bowers' colours. It was then rebuilt. The Presona team spent the next week removing the existing machine, covering the needle pit and installing the new LP 50 VH2 and associated equipment.

Just seven weeks after ordering the new baler, it was in situ and fully operational.

Commenting on the installation, Matt Hawkes of Presona UK said: "The new M& J Bowers Presona baler has really expanded the company's capacity. Our balers have a reputation for longevity, and I'm sure that this new unit will be in service for many years to come.

"One of the reasons that John selected a Presona was for our local maintenance service. To ensure balers have a long life, it's essential that maintenance is carried out regularly and thoroughly. We provide this service for all Presona owners, regardless of location - but in this instance we won't have to travel too far to keep an eye on this one," said Matt.

ENDS

Image: Please use this link to download the image above: Presona installs baler at M and J Bowers
 
For more information about Presona UK, please visit: www.presona.co.uk

For more information about M & J Bowers, please visit: www.mjbowers.co.uk

Editorial contact: Adrienne Robins at Green Tiger Communications. Tel: 07855 643094. Email: Adrienne@greentigercommunications.co.uk.