Powering Coffee Excellence: A Guide to Fres-co’s Innovative Packaging Machines

As competition in the retail coffee market intensifies, roasters and specialty coffee brands face mounting pressure to refine their operations and marketing approaches. Coffee packaging itself—and the equipment behind it—has become a pivotal factor in business success.

Modern coffee packaging must simultaneously preserve complex flavor profiles throughout the supply chain, capture consumer attention on crowded retail shelves, support sustainability initiatives, and improve operational efficiency. Many roasters have revolutionized their businesses through packaging automation, but selecting the right equipment requires careful consideration. This guide examines our entire lineup of coffee packaging machines to help you make an informed decision that aligns with your production needs, quality standards, and growth objectives.

From Manual Fill to Entry-Level Automation and Full Integration: Choosing the Right Coffee Packaging Machine Setup

Most coffee roasters begin their journey with manual filling and sealing of pre-formed bags—a viable solution when volume is low. However, as demand grows, this labor-intensive process quickly becomes a bottleneck. This natural progression leads roasters to entry-level automation vertical form fill seal (VFFS) machines, which transform printed rollstock into formed coffee bags with various options for product filling and residual atmosphere modification.

As operations scale further, roasters can advance to semi-automated options with tin-tie finishing systems, and ultimately move to fully integrated machines that handle everything from package formation to sophisticated retail finishing. This evolution in packaging technology not only increases production capacity but also ensures consistent quality, extended shelf life, and enhanced brand presentation that today’s discerning coffee consumers expect.

Let’s take a closer look at the full lineup:

The G21 Series: Entry-Level Automation

The G21 is a compact and economical vertical, form, fill, and seal (VFFS) machine that is perfect for small batch roasters looking to get into entry-level automation. It is suitable for both whole bean and ground coffee, and can produce bags in an array of packaging formats including pillow pouches, CORNERSEAL®, flat-bottom, side-gusseted bags.

Most importantly, the G21 series can also handle four critical steps in the coffee packaging process:

• Adding a one-way degassing valve
• Performing a nitrogen gas flush
• Sealing the bag hermetically
• Offering retail friendly labeling and printing, when equipped with a thermal imprinter and label applier

The G16: Entry-Level Automation with Retail-Ready Bag Finishing Capabilities

The G16 is our newest fully integrated VFFS packaging machine that delivers Fres-co’s renowned packaging quality while providing an attractive entry point for roasters of all sizes. Designed with a finishing conveyor, this machine offers value-engineered quick changeover between package sizes and seamless operation. The intuitive color touchscreen HMI provides operators with easy access to all machine functions, troubleshooting assistance, and production statistics reports.

The G16 was developed specifically to offer the same high-end bag top finishing features as the G14 series but at a lower cost point. Each package features very defined corners with precise corner seals, creating square and true package dimensions for an attractive finish.

The G16 appeals to a broad customer base—from small roasters to medium operations seeking cost-effective solutions for lower-volume products. Its versatility makes it ideal for dedicated single-product lines while maintaining the flexibility for quick changeovers between different products. Designed with flexible configuration options, users can also choose between traditional bag top finishing with a tin-tie applier or a smaller conveyor with tape down application.

The G18 Series: Fully Automated VFFS with Higher Output

The G18 series is another fully automatic vertical, form, fill, and seal (VFFS) automation machine that offers higher output compared to the G21. It is able to accommodate an array of package formats and offers the convenience of a simple and quick changeover between sizes. User-friendly PLC-based control also allows an easy and smooth operation.

The G18 series is available in three different models:

• G18: The versatile G18 offers rapid changeover between packaging sizes and is servo motion controlled.
• G18C: The G18C features continuous motion and operates at a higher output compared to the G18 model.
• G18C2: The G18C2 is a twin-tube, VFFS machine and features continuous motion for an even higher output. This is perfect for roasters that need to accommodate larger volumes more efficiently. Like the G18C, it also features an integrated flushing system and head space deflation system for a fully integrated solution.

The G14 Series: Fully Integrated VFFS Machine

The G14 series is a fully integrated vertical form, fill, and seal (VFFS) packaging machine designed to offer easy and rapid changeover between various bag sizes. It operates smoothly with PLC-based controls and features color touchscreen HMI to increase access to all machine functions. The G14 can be customized with optional features including printers, labelers, load cell scales, and more to fit your needs.

The G14 series is available in three different models:

• G14: The G14 is the perfect middle-level model for roasters looking to produce high quality retail ready packages with bag top finishing features. This VFFS machine is equipped with a retail finishing conveyor and offers machine control communication via Ethernet IP, among other features.
• G14C: The G14C offers the convenience of a quick changeover between sizes. Like the G14, the G14C is a VFFS machine that offers a bag top finishing conveyor for retail-ready packages, but utilizes continuous motion technology to achieve higher outputs.
• G14CX: The G14CX is available in our traditional “L” layout or with an in-line design. The finishing conveyor is extended to allow for package trim, final seal, tin-tie reclosure, top flap tape, or label application, as well as other high-level features. It has the highest output of all the models in this series.

The G14E: The Latest Model in the G14 Series

The G14E represents the latest evolution in the G14 series lineup, built with enhanced compactness and reduced height for modern production environments. This machine offers the convenience of simple, quick changeovers between sizes while adding improved ergonomics that significantly increase operational efficiency.

Featuring advanced automation with up-to-date technology, sensors, and logic controllers unavailable in legacy versions, the G14E delivers superior performance through its color touchscreen HMI. This interface not only provides easy access to machine functions but also serves as a comprehensive troubleshooting aid and production statistics reporter.

The G14E represents an ideal solution for small roasters advancing to medium production volumes, as well as larger operations seeking greater flexibility and efficiency across different bag types. The finishing conveyor is extended to allow for package trim, final seal, tin–tie reclosure application, top flap tape or label application and other finishing features. Its appeal extends to customers focused on bag finishing quality, as its automation creates consistent results.

Coffee Machine Comparison Overview

Fres-co packaging machines are specifically designed to accommodate today’s market demand for sustainable packaging solutions. Our entire machine lineup can efficiently process recycle-ready materials without compromising production speeds or package integrity.

The table below provides a side-by-side comparison of our packaging machine families, helping you quickly evaluate which solution best aligns with your needs:

*Output varies on model within the series
**Output varies with pouch or bag size and product filling characteristics

Choosing A Packaging Partner

As the leader in flexible coffee packaging, Fres-co stands as your premier packaging partner, delivering comprehensive end-to-end solutions tailored to your unique needs. Our commitment to innovation and customer service positions us as the industry’s most trusted advisor for brands seeking packaging excellence.

• Complete product development partner: Fres-co is a one-stop shop for all packaging needs—from initial assessment and material selection to custom sample development, machine implementation, printing capabilities, and more.
• Market-responsive innovation: We constantly work to meet evolving market demands, bringing cutting-edge solutions to the forefront that keep your products competitive and compliant with industry standards.
• Comprehensive machine support: We offer a turnkey approach, providing spare parts, packaging materials, and U.S.-based technicians, ensuring maximum operational efficiency.
• Flexible service options: Choose the service plan that works best for your operation:
  • Comprehensive service contracts with scheduled maintenance
  • Quarterly preventative maintenance agreements
  • On-demand service visits when you need them
• Expert training and onboarding: Receive thorough onsite machine operation training and ongoing technical support to ensure your team maximizes equipment performance.

Connect with our team of flexible packaging experts for a one-on-one consultation and discover why leading brands choose Fres-co as their packaging partner.

For more than 40 years, Fres-co System USA, Inc. has manufactured high-performance flexible packaging systems and invented dozens of innovative breakthroughs including degassing valves, modified atmosphere technologies, and reclosure systems.

Topics: Coffee Packaging, Flexible Packaging, machine guide, packaging machines

Moving from rigid to flexible packaging?

Subscribe to Email Updates