Shrink Wrap Packaging Experts - We Do It Right!

Packaging Innovation in Action: How a Growing Craft Distillery Transformed Their Packaging Process with Automation

How Impak Streamlined Willibald Farm Distillery & Brewery's Packaging Operations

Discover how Impak Packaging helped Willibald Farm Distillery & Brewery optimize its packaging line using a Refurbished Damark B180 Shrink Bundle Wrapper and S34T Shrink Tunnel.

As demand for their canned spirits and cocktails surged, Willibald’s manual packaging process struggled to keep up—leading to inefficiencies, increased labour hours, and fulfilment bottlenecks. Recognizing the need for a better solution, one of the owners began exploring automation options—and that’s when they connected with us.

Impak Packaging stepped in as a trusted partner to streamline Willibald’s end-of-line operations. After assessing their workflow/growth trajectory, Impak recommended the B180 Shrink Bundle Wrapper and S34T Shrink Tunnel combo – an automated shrink bundling system designed to replace manual boxing and reduce packaging time significantly.

USED EQUIPMENT

Willibald scaled with a refurbished Damark system—lower cost, same performance. 

WHAT WE INSTALLED

Damark B180 + S34T: A high-speed shrink system for mid- to high-volume canning.

READY TO SCALE?

Willibald’s growth won’t stop with one machine—and yours shouldn’t either.

Enter Willibald

Located in Ayr, Ontario, Willibald Farm Distillery & Brewery has become one of Ontario’s most recognized names in craft beverages. What began as a dream between two brothers and a close friend has grown into a thriving, 100-acre, farm-based operation— blending small-batch distilling, brewing, and farm-to-table dining.

Founded by Nolan, Jordan, and their longtime friend Cam, Willibald took shape on Nolan’s family farm. With no formal background but a deep passion for the craft brewery scene, they dove in headfirst starting with a single canning line. What started with a few curious visitors has transformed into a true destination, with a full-service restaurant, a vibrant taphouse, and a growing line of craft spirits, seasonal beers, and ready-to-drink canned cocktails.

From a first-time visitor to a loyal regular, everyone who steps onto the farm gets a taste of what Willibald is all about: community, creativity, and care in every pour.

We’re proud to support innovative producers like Willibald who are redefining what it means to be craft—without ever losing sight of where they started.

THE CHALLENGE: MANUAL BOTTLENECKS SLOWING DOWN GROWTH

Manual Packaging vs. Modern Demand: Willibald’s Challenge

One of Impak’s Sales Representatives reached out to assess their current operations and explore opportunities for improving their packaging line. They concluded that as their product line continued to grow, their packaging process wouldn’t be able to keep pace. Manual boxing and bundling required an entire day of labour for each production run, making it increasingly difficult to meet rising demand. The manual bundling of cans and bottles created several bottlenecks in their workflow, ultimately limiting their overall efficiency.

We were just spending so much time packing, the orders kept getting larger and larger… we literally couldn’t handle it unless we bought some automated equipment.

INEFFICIENCIES

The manual process was time-consuming, impacting their ability to scale production effectively.

PRODUCTION LIMITS

With products reaching hundreds of LCBO outlets, meeting the growing demand of 40,000–50,000 cans per week had become an increasingly daunting task.

LABOUR COSTS

They relied heavily on family and friends to keep up with demand—a costly and unsustainable solution as their orders grew.

The Solution: Finding the Right Fit with Impak

Strategic Selection: How Willibald Landed on the Ideal Bundle Wrapper

After they had figured out the main challenges they were facing, they began to evaluate their options. Nolan began researching what would work best for them and viewed many Bundle Wrapping options. When asked about this process – Nolan explained that the main criteria they were looking for were timing and availability. They needed a new system in place and set in the wintertime that was effective and not costly. 

Next, through a consultative process, Impak worked closely with them to identify the right equipment that could improve efficiency, reduce manual labour, and support their scaling production. We provided a dependable solution and decided that a Refurbished Damark B180 Shrink Bundle Wrapper and S34T Shrink Tunnel combo was the perfect fit for their operations. 

REFURBISHED
PRODUCTS

Looking for a cost-effective packaging solution? Join Willibald Farms and other growing brands in choosing quality used equipment.

Damark B180 Shrink Bundle Wrapper
and S34T Shrink Tunnel

The B180 Shrink Bundle Wrapper and S34T Shrink Tunnel combo is a powerful, cost-effective solution for bundling multipacks with speed and consistency. Ideal for medium- to high-volume production lines, this system efficiently wraps and shrinks products without the need for compressed air.

"It’s really helped simplify and streamline things… being able to send it through, wrap it, shrink it—it just made the whole process easy for anyone to jump on and do."

Features

RESULTS

Impak Packaging stepped in as the solution provider, taking on the task of modernizing Willibald’s manual packaging process to meet rising production demands. The upgrade included the installation of the Damark B180 Shrink Bundle Wrapper and S34T Shrink Tunnel, an automated bundling and shrinking system designed to streamline multipack handling and eliminate the need for manual boxing.

With increased efficiency, lower labour dependency, and the capacity to bundle up to 50,000 cans weekly, Willibald found the right partner in Impak Packaging.

The bundler is big. Before we were putting everything in boxes. That was like a whole extra day just to box up what we can. Now we just send it to the bundler and that’s a huge opportunity.

Lower Operating Costs

By replacing manual labour with automation, Willibald significantly reduced labour expenses and minimized overtime—freeing up resources to reinvest in growth.

Simplified Workflow

Easy to operate and train on, the new setup allows any team member to jump in—streamlining packaging and reducing training time.

Faster Throughput

The new bundling system matches Willibald’s high-volume canning (up to 40 loads/hour), boosting speed and efficiency without compromising quality.

Built to Scale

As demand continues to grow, Willibald is now equipped with an automated system that supports larger orders and future production increases.

Looking Ahead: Automation as a Foundation for Growth

As Willibald continues to expand across Ontario and beyond—with some products already in 300–400 LCBO stores—automation remains a key part of their strategy for sustainable growth.

They’re already looking into future upgrades like carton erectors to build their boxes and further improve their can packaging operations. Impak will be there to help in this venture along the way. 

Contact Us Today!
Have a question about our equipment or service?

Just give us a call or send us a message with the form below. One of our customer service representatives would be happy to help you with whatever you need.

Impak Packaging Gertex Group Logo
Impak Packaging
Inquiries
Parts and Service

416-299-0960

Everything about bundle wrappers

If you’re searching for a cost-effective way and aesthetic look to wrap your products, Bundle Wrappers, also known as Sleeve Wrappers, offer a brilliant solution. 

These machines are designed to bundle products together, such as bottles, cans, and boxes, and then apply a protective sleeve or film around them. They are commonly used in industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and logistics to enhance the efficiency of packaging processes. 

How Do Bundle Wrappers Work?

product grouping
Bundle wrappers operate by conveying products into the packaging area, where they are grouped into bundles.
forming bundles
The machine then applies a shrink film, creating a protective sleeve around the bundled products. Then it seals the edges of the film together to create a pouch around the product.
The bundle goes through a shrink tunnel to ensure the containment with intense heating. The film gets compressed and attached to the bundle of product and strengthened while cooling down.

ways to wrap with bundle wrappers

Bundle wrappers offer versatility in achieving various packaging aesthetics based on your preferences. Before investing in a bundle wrapper, it’s essential to consider three primary packaging options and which one you prefer the most.

Shrink Wrapping with Tray

Bundle wrapped cans with tray

Bundle wrappers can wrap either the bundle on the tray or the bundle by itself.

Shrink Wrapping Without Tray

Bundled Wrapped bottles without tray

The machine can create bullet holes on the side for easier gripping of the bundle, or it can provide a full closure without any holes.

With Printed or Regular Film

Coca-Cola bottles shrink wrapped with Cryovac
Bundle wrapped bottles in a printed film
Printed film featuring a company logo or custom design is available, although clear film is the most commonly used option.

Benefits of Bundle Wrappers

These machines are designed for speed and efficiency. They can significantly accelerate your packaging processes, saving you time and labor costs.
The protective sleeves applied by these wrappers safeguard products from dust, moisture, and potential damage during storage and transportation. 
Bundle Wrappers and Sleeve Wrappers are known for reducing packaging material usage and minimizing waste. They are eco-friendly and budget friendly. 
One size does not fit all in the world of packaging. Bundle Wrappers and Sleeve Wrappers can be tailored to accommodate various product sizes and shapes, ensuring a snug fit for each bundle. It is easily adjustable to different settings. 

Bundle wrappers recommendations

Impak MB3216 Bundle Wrapper Side

IMPAK MB3216

good

A reasonable manual shrink sleeving/bundle wrapping machine
SMI BP800AS Sleeve Wrapper

SMI BP800AS

better

A versatile shrink sleeving/bundle wrapping machine

SMI XP650 ASX Sleeve Wrapper

SMI XP650

best

An automatic overlap wrapper designed for high-speed shrink sleeving/bundle wrapping with printed film registration capabilities

IMPAK MB3216

A reasonable manual shrink sleeving/bundle wrapping machine

 The perfect entry level manual Bundle Wrapper

No Compressed Air Required

Tunnel Opening: 32” W x 16” H.

All-in-One System – Wraps and Shrinks

SMI BP800AS

A versatile automatic shrink sleeving/bundle wrapping machine

Suitable for packing glass and PET bottles, cans, boxes, trays, jars, and cartons of various sizes in different pack collations.

Used in industries like beverages, food, chemicals, wine and spirits, cosmetics, detergents, wood, textile, and graphics

The AS Model includes an optional Infeed Conveyor System and pushdown wipers.

SMI XP650

A high-speed automatic overlap shrink sleeving/bundle wrapper

Versatile machine for packing glass and PET bottles, cans, boxes, trays, jars, and cartons of various sizes.

Suitable for the food industry and complies with FDA, UE, and USDA standards for products in direct contact with food.

Features a stainless-steel frame and FDA-compliant conveyor.

Capable of registering print

get a bundle wrapper consultation today!

Key Features to Consider

1. Film Type

Consider how thick the Shrink film should be and width of it. The poly shrink film is used for bundle wrappers. Various thickness options are available, ranging from 1 mil to 4 mil, allowing you to choose the desired thickness for your needs. You can select a thickness depending on the weight of the bundle you want to wrap. The most common shrink film is 2.5 mil which is the LCBO requirement for tall can cases.

The width of the shrink film should be chosen to adequately cover the entire bundle. Measure the dimensions of your bundle and ensure the film’s width can comfortably accommodate it. 

2. Speed and Capacity

Think about how many bundles you intend to produce in an hour. Understanding your desired production rate will help you select a machine that can meet your output goals efficiently. Determine how many products will be packed in one bundle and the weight of the bundle. It is crucial in assessing the machine’s capability to handle the necessary volume. 

3. Automation Level

Evaluate the level of automation you need, ranging from manual to fully automatic Bundle Wrappers. The choice of automation level should align with your production volume, the level of operator involvement you prefer, and the overall efficiency you aim to achieve in your packaging process. 

4. Space and Energy Efficiency

Determine the available space in your facility and choose a machine that fits seamlessly. Additionally, opt for energy-efficient models to reduce operational costs. 

Gallery

Take a glimpse at some of the incredible products produced by our clients' products

FAQ

Most Frequent Questions and Answers

Impak MB3216 Bundle Wrapper

Yes, most Bundle Wrappers are designed for seamless integration into existing production lines, improving overall efficiency.

Yes, there are biodegradable and recyclable shrink films available that can be used with Bundle Wrappers, promoting environmentally friendly packaging practices.

Absolutely, Bundle Wrappers can be adjusted to handle delicate products with care, ensuring they remain intact during packaging.

Yes, there are fully automatic Bundle Wrappers designed for high-speed and high-volume production to meet the demands of various industries.

Have a question about equipment or service?
Just give us a call or send us a message with the form below. One of our customer service representatives would be happy to help you with whatever you need.
Impak Packaging Gertex Group Logo
Impak Packaging Systems Inc.

400 Flint Rd.
North York, Ontario
M3J 2J4
Phone: 416-299-0960
Fax: 416-299-0961
Email: [email protected]

Inquiries

416-299-0960

Parts and Service

416-299-0960

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