Automated packaging for the festive season: how does ETPACK support Chocolat Mathez as it ramps up production?

In the world of chocolate, the Christmas period is a strategic time when volumes, responsiveness and quality are all essential.
To meet these challenges, Mathez Chocolatethe emblematic French manufacturer of cocoa truffles since 1934, has chosen to automate part of its packaging by integrating a line ETPACK Top Loadinstalled in its packaging area.

This collaboration marks a turning point for the company, and is a perfect illustration of ETPACK's ability to help manufacturers cope with seasonal peaks in activity.

Chocolat Mathez: a company built for the festive season

Specialist in single-product truffle with cocoa in over 70 recipes, Mathez Chocolate has a highly rhythmic production cycle.
As Isabelle Gorget, Head of Purchasing, explains:

"In the 2nd half of the year, business is busier (...) it can be as much as 200 people in production compared with around 60 to 70 in the first part of the year.

The brand manufactures semi-finished products upstream, and then packages them for sale. to orderThis is particularly true during the festive season. This seasonality makes Christmas a major challenge for the company.

The aim: to increase speed and competitiveness

Before the integration of the ETPACK line, the packaging of large volumes of orders was entirely manual.
The company wanted :

  • save time and improve competitiveness,
  • keep a visually perfect box,
  • facilitate format changes,
  • reduce operator fatigue.

Isabelle Gorget confirms this: "We opted for a Top Load in order to win certain competitive contracts by saving time and money, especially for large volumes.

The ETPACK solution: a complete, flexible and high-performance box line

The line installed at Chocolat Mathez includes :

  1. An automatic flat-bale case erector

The company now buys boxes flat, ungluedThis reduces packaging costs. "The machine forms the bundle from a flat die-cut, transports it to two operators, ... "

  1. Ergonomic manual entry

Two operators insert the sachets into the boxes.
This part remains manual, but is now regulated by the machineallowing a controlled pace.

  1. Automated closing and marking

At the end of the line, the machine also carries out the closing and marking: "The cans are closed using a hot melt gluing system. The DLUO and batch number are printed on the box before being transferred to an accumulation table.

A real change in pace... and in the day-to-day lives of our teams

Thanks to this automation, productivity has improved significantly:

  • more bundles packed per hour,
  • reducing the number of operators needed,
  • reduced fatigue linked to repetitive handling.

"The yield is becoming more interesting. We pack a lot more bundles than we do manually". Team training went smoothly: "The ETPACK teams did a great job with the training. Our maintenance manager understood things very quickly, and so did the staff.

Close collaboration with ETPACK, even after installation

Mathez Chocolate and ETPACK continue to work together every year, in particular to study and develop new tools and new formats adapted to certain markets:

"It's a two-way process: we express our ideas, ETPACK advises us, and we look for a format that is aesthetically pleasing but also feasible for the Top Load. Discussions are ongoing, particularly on the quality of the cardboard and the development of tools.

When asked why he chose ETPACK, Chocolat Mathez's answer is clear: "I think there's a big human element. The team is powerful and punchy. Very professional. Responsive. It's a great company. She also emphasises the geographical proximity, availability and trust built up over time.

Vision future: new formats to conquer new markets

Mathez Chocolate We're ready to create new tools to offer our customers new formats".

With more than 85% of sales from exportsThe company sees automation as a strategic means of meeting the volumes demanded.

Preparing your lines for the high season?

Thanks to its expertise in complete lines, ETPACK supports you throughout the entire cycle: design, installation, optimisation and production monitoring.

Contact us to discuss your top load project.