Vendor Evaluation: Key KPIs for Buying an Economic VFFS

Vendor Evaluation: Key KPIs for Buying an Economic VFFS

Why KPI-driven vendor evaluation matters when choosing a vertical packaging machine

Buying an Economic vertical form fill seal packing machine (VFFS) is more than checking price and lead time. A successful purchase balances upfront cost, long-term reliability, production efficiency, food safety (if relevant), and serviceability. Using clear, measurable KPIs lets procurement, engineering, and operations teams compare vendors objectively, reduce risk, and calculate true total cost of ownership (TCO).

Product overview: Economic vertical form fill seal packing machine (VFFS)

The economical vertical form fill seal (VFFS) packaging machine offers a variety of models designed with a sturdy 304 stainless steel frame. It is equipped with safety door protection and supports multiple bag types, including pillow bags, angle belt bags, printed bags, and triangle bags. This versatile machine is ideal for packaging a wide range of materials, such as snacks, frozen foods, coffee beans, oats, sugar, salt, rice, small hardware components, and more. Affordable and cost-effective, it provides reliable performance and efficiency for diverse packaging needs.

Core KPIs to evaluate a vertical packaging machine

Below are the essential KPIs you should request and verify during vendor evaluation. These KPIs apply across industries (food, confectionery, hardware, chemicals) and directly affect throughput, product quality, and operating cost.

1. Throughput (bags per minute) — measure actual capacity

Throughput is the headline KPI: how many finished bags the machine produces per minute under realistic operating conditions. Ask vendors for:

• Guaranteed continuous throughput (bags/min) for your product and bag type
• Test report showing throughput at specified settings and product characteristics
• Changeover impact on throughput

Tip: Insist on vendor tests using your product and bag specs, not generic materials. Vendors often quote maximum theoretical speeds that are higher than real-world performance.

2. Accuracy and fill consistency — critical when paired with a multihead weigher

For weight-based filling, evaluate the end-to-end accuracy including the multihead weigher and VFFS interaction. Key measures:

• Fill accuracy (e.g., ±g or ±% at 95% confidence)
• Occurrence of underfills/overfills per 10,000 bags
• Rejection rate at checkweigher (if used)

When your VFFS integrates with a multihead weigher, confirm communication protocols (e.g., digital I/O, Ethernet/IP) and synchronized cycle timing to prevent filling errors.

3. OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) — unified performance indicator

OEE aggregates Availability, Performance, and Quality into a single metric. It helps compare machines across vendors on a like-for-like basis.

Formula:

OEE = Availability × Performance × Quality

Ask vendors to provide typical OEE numbers for your product and production schedule. Typical realistic targets for economical VFFS systems can be 60–80%; set expectations with vendors for what their machines achieve in similar installations.

4. Uptime and Mean Time To Repair (MTTR) — operational reliability

High uptime reduces labor and scheduling headaches. Key KPIs:

• Expected uptime percentage (e.g., 95% over one year)
• Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF)
• Mean Time To Repair (MTTR) — average time to restore full operation

Request historical failure logs or case studies from vendors. For economical machines, aim for quick repairs and modular components to minimize downtime.

5. Changeover time and tool-less adjustments

Changeover directly impacts productivity for multi-SKU lines. Measure:

• Average changeover time between bag sizes
• Whether film guides, forming collars, and seal bars allow tool-less adjustments
• Availability of quick-change kits or pre-set recipes

Shorter changeovers improve OEE and reduce labor costs for frequent SKU mixes.

6. Sealing quality and integrity — protects product and brand

Sealing defects cause rework, returns, and spoilage. Evaluate:

• Seal strength (N/cm) and sealed area consistency
• Visual examples and lab test reports
• Heat control stability and sensor feedback

For food and sensitive products, hygienic design and consistent seals are non-negotiable.

7. Energy consumption and consumables cost

Operational cost includes electricity and consumables (belts, cutting blades, sealing bars). KPI items:

• kW consumption at rated throughput
• Typical lifespan and cost per consumable item
• Estimated cost per 1,000 bags (energy + consumables)

8. Spare parts availability and lead times

Low-cost machines can become expensive if spare parts are slow or scarce. Ask vendors for:

• List of critical spares with part numbers
• Typical lead time for parts and local stock availability
• Options for stocked spare kits

9. After-sales service, training, and warranty

Service quality often determines lifetime performance. Evaluate:

• Warranty length and coverage (mechanical, electrical, wear parts)
• Availability of local service engineers or remote diagnostics
• Training programs for operators and maintenance teams

10. Safety, compliance, and certifications

Certifications reduce risk and can be required by customers or regulators. Check for:

• CE/CE marking (for EU markets)
• ISO quality standards (e.g., ISO 9001)
• Hygienic design certifications (EHEDG) for food lines
• Local electrical and machine safety compliance (e.g., UL, CSA)

How to validate KPI claims practically

Don’t take vendor specs at face value. Use these validation steps:

• Factory acceptance test (FAT) with your product and film.
• Site acceptance test (SAT) simulating full production shift.
• Request references and site visits to customer installations.
• Include acceptance criteria in the purchase contract tied to performance penalties or acceptance holdback.

Sample acceptance table: typical vs. target KPIs

Commercial considerations and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Beyond KPIs, evaluate commercial terms that affect TCO:

• Payment terms and delivery schedules
• Inclusion of installation, commissioning, and FAT/SAT
• Escrow for spare parts availability or local inventory commitments
• Service level agreements (SLA) for response times and spare part delivery

Model a 5-year TCO including capital, energy, consumables, labor for maintenance, spare parts, and downtime costs. Sometimes a slightly higher price that delivers better OEE and lower downtime gives a lower TCO.

Integration: multihead weigher compatibility and controls

If you plan to pair the VFFS with a multihead weigher, confirm:

• Communication interface (e.g., Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Modbus, discrete I/O)
• Synchronized cycle timing to avoid filling or cutting during weigh cycles
• Recipe sharing and automatic changeover support

Compatibility reduces cycle losses and improves fill accuracy, so include this as a contractual KPI.

Brand advantages and why choose our Economic VFFS

When evaluating vendors, brand reputation and proven solutions matter. Our Economic vertical form fill seal packing machine (VFFS) offers:

• Robust 304 stainless steel construction for hygienic environments
• Flexible bag format handling: pillow, angle belt, printed, triangle
• Designed for straightforward integration with multihead weighers
• Competitive energy and consumable costs with long-life components
• Comprehensive FAT/SAT, operator training, and local service options

We prioritize measurable KPIs: we provide on-site FAT with your product, documented OEE targets, spare part kits, and transparent lead times. For buyers focused on TCO rather than lowest upfront price, this approach reduces risk and improves long-term value.

Checklist: what to include in a vendor RFP

Use this checklist when issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP):

• Detailed KPI requirements (throughput, accuracy, OEE target)
• Mandatory FAT with your product and film
• Spare parts list and guaranteed lead times
• Warranty, SLA, training, and commissioning scope
• Certification and compliance documentation
• Reference site contacts and performance reports

FAQ

Q: How do I ensure the vendor’s throughput claim is realistic?

A: Insist on a FAT using your exact product, packaging film, and intended bag format. Include acceptance criteria in the contract that link payment to demonstrated performance.

Q: What is an acceptable fill accuracy for snacks or small hardware?

A: Typical acceptable ranges are ±1–3% depending on product value and regulation. For high-value items or regulated products, aim for ±1% or stipulate absolute gram tolerances in the contract.

Q: How important is OEE for a small packaging line?

Very important — OEE translates multiple operational aspects into a single number. Even small lines benefit from optimized OEE because downtime and quality losses have outsized impact on margins.

Q: What warranty and service terms should I request?

Request at minimum a 12-month warranty on mechanical and electrical components, clear coverage for wear parts, availability of local service engineers, response time SLAs, and options for extended coverage.

Q: Can an economic VFFS handle frozen products?

Yes — many economical VFFS units can pack frozen foods, but ensure the machine has appropriate insulation, low-temperature components, and suitable film handling features. Always test frozen products during FAT.

Contact and next steps

If you’d like a vendor evaluation checklist tailored to your product and production targets or wish to schedule a FAT with our Economic vertical form fill seal packing machine (VFFS), contact our sales team. View the product page or request a quote to start an on-site or remote demonstration.

Contact us to schedule a FAT with your product or request a quote for the Economic vertical form fill seal packing machine (VFFS).

Authoritative references

• Form-fill-seal machine — Wikipedia
• PMMI — The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies
• International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• CE Marking — European Commission
• EHEDG — European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group
• U.S. Food & Drug Administration — Food Safety
• OSHA — Occupational Safety and Health Administration