SHERIDAN, WYOMING – May 8, 2025 – In a strategic move to combat skilled labor shortages while preserving premium product quality, Austrian retailer Kaufhaus Hubmann has integrated SEALPAC’s semi-automatic M-Flex traysealer into its deli department operations. The initiative not only safeguards the company’s renowned service standards but also represents a significant leap toward operational efficiency and sustainable packaging in food retail.
A Scalable Solution to Industry-Wide Staffing Challenges
Faced with rising difficulties in staffing deli counters—an issue echoed across the retail food sector—Kaufhaus Hubmann sought a solution that could maintain its commitment to freshness and service. The answer came in the form of SEALPAC’s M-Flex traysealer, which now allows the company to deliver freshly cut deli products multiple times a day, regardless of employee availability.
Florian Hubmann, Managing Director and owner at Kaufhaus Hubmann, underscored the impact: "We did not want to give up our deli department, despite staff shortages due to illness, retirement, or school obligations. For us, this is a solution that tastes good and provides safety, both for our company and for our region."
Compact Innovation with High Operational Return
The SEALPAC M-Flex combines high-end functionality with a compact footprint, ideally suited for businesses with space constraints or frequent product changes. Its ergonomic design and intuitive workflow enable seamless manual loading and unloading, while the rear-side sealing process and dual-direction rotation table enhance operator comfort and efficiency.
Key performance benefits of the M-Flex include:
- Fully electric operation—no water or compressed air required
- Compatibility with diverse materials such as plastic, paper, and aluminum
- Quick tooling exchange system for fast format shifts
- Intelligent ID system that prevents operational errors
- Compatibility with sustainable packaging formats like FlatMap® and FlatSkin®
These features provide a flexible, future-proof solution that allows businesses to meet changing consumer demands and labor conditions with confidence.
Sustainability and Shelf Impact with FlatMap® and FlatSkin®
In line with its emphasis on reducing environmental impact, Kaufhaus Hubmann adopted SEALPAC’s FlatMap® and FlatSkin® packaging formats—modern, visually appealing alternatives that also extend product shelf life.
- FlatMap® is designed for sliced deli products, using a modified atmosphere for freshness and a reclosable feature for convenience.
- FlatSkin® secures products such as meats and cheeses with a high-transparency vacuum skin film that enhances shelf visibility and longevity.
Both formats utilize flat cardboard carriers with a thin plastic liner, allowing for easy separation and recycling. The result is packaging that meets both consumer expectations for quality and sustainability benchmarks increasingly demanded by regulators and the market.
A Model for Small-Scale Retailers Embracing Automation
Kaufhaus Hubmann’s successful implementation showcases how even smaller retailers can leverage automation to maintain service excellence and operational agility. The M-Flex’s user-friendly interface ensures smooth onboarding for rotating staff and eliminates the bottlenecks typically associated with manual packaging processes.
The SEALPAC M-Flex traysealer and its cutting-edge packaging solutions will be on display at IFFA 2025, offering attendees a firsthand look at how innovation can future-proof deli operations.
Experience the M-Flex live at IFFA 2025: Hall 12.1, Stand E79. Learn more at www.sealpacinternational.com