Engineering Excellence: How Formers International is Redefining Bag Forming Technology

For more than 50 years, Formers International has led the industry in custom bag-forming solutions for vertical form-fill-seal (VFFS) packaging lines. Our mission has always been clear: deliver precision-engineered components that improve efficiency, maintain hygiene and support innovation in packaging. In this post, we explore why bag formers matter, how innovation is changing the landscape and why partnering with a specialist makes a measurable difference.

Why Bag Formers Matter in Modern Packaging

Bag formers are more than just a component—they are the heart of an effective bag maker. In a VFFS machine, the former converts flat film into a shaped bag ready for filling and sealing. A high-quality forming set ensures correct film flow, tight seals and minimal waste. As packaging operations manager puts it, “Using high-quality bag formers can significantly improve the efficiency and output of your primary packaging operations.” – national snack brand

In food, paper, and pet food packaging, poor bag forming often leads to pleats, mis-seals or film waste—each of which hit productivity and cost metrics. A precision forming assembly helps maintain optimal line speed, reliable packaging and consistent presentation.

Performance and Precision: The Formers International Advantage

At Formers International, we engineer with a purpose. We design each forming shoulder, tube and collar assembly with exacting tolerances to support consistent results across high-speed every packaging lines. Whether replacing an existing set or custom-designing for a novel bag style, our products is built for performance and longevity.

Key differentiators include:

• Materials selected for durability and food-contact safety.
  
• Machined components for repeatability and minimal tolerance drift.
  
• Customized design to accommodate unique bag sizes, films and product configurations.
  

These proprietary features translate into reduced change-over time, less film error and better output — core metrics for high-volume packaging.

Innovation in Action: Speed, Hygiene and Flexibility

Innovation in bag forming isn’t just incremental—it’s fundamental for staying competitive. A recent industry review highlights several trends shaping the future of bag-forming and filling machinery, including automation, sustainability, hygiene and flexibility.

Hygiene and Cleanability

Sanitation is non-negotiable in food packaging. Bag formers often see oils, seasoning dust and debris that compromise performance and safety. As one article notes: “A focus on sanitation in the bag forming process is key to preventing cross-contamination … maintaining food safety standards …” At Formers International we address this by designing formers with smooth surfaces, minimal crevices and components that are wash-down ready. We also introduced the Former Jet™, a high-powered cleaning system engineered for fast sanitation of bag former assemblies.

Flexibility for Multiple SKUs

In today’s market, packaging lines must switch bag styles, formats and film types diligently. A former designed for quick change-over, PET or compostable film compatibility, and multi-shape configurations adds real value. Industry commentary confirms that flexibility in forming sets enables manufacturers to respond more effectively to SKU variation and customer demand.

Supporting Automation and Efficiency

Bag formers must integrate seamlessly with VFFS machines, weigh systems and downstream automation. A forming set that tracks film accurately and reduces waste contributes directly to line efficiency. One supplier summary underscores that their forming collar solutions helped “reduce packaging waste, enhance film tracking, and minimize downtime.”

Partnering with an Experienced Manufacturer

Selecting the right partner for your bag forming needs often matters more than the equipment alone. At Formers International, we bring decades of experience and an engineering-first mindset to every project. We don’t simply supply equipment—we provide engineered solutions tailored to your line’s requirements.

From initial consultation through design, fabrication and installation, we align our work with your goals: uptime, quality, cost-control and compliance. Our service model includes re-conditioning of older formers, custom design for new bag styles, and ongoing support for sanitation and maintenance best practices.

When you choose a partner who understands your process and the role of the bag former in your line’s ecosystem, you get more than parts—you get performance optimization.

Looking Ahead: Continuous Improvement for Packaging Lines

The packaging industry continues to evolve quickly. Sustainability demands, labor constraints and SKU growth challenge every line. Bag formers that are static or “good enough” will limit your ability to respond. Formers International remains committed to staying ahead: investing in design, materials, automation compatibility and hygiene improvements.

Whether you’re upgrading to zipper films, increasing line speed, reducing change-over time or simply improving bag appearance, the right forming set can help unlock performance improvements.

Ready to elevate your packaging line with precision bag-forming solutions? Visit our Request A Quote Page to connect with our team.