Driving Ready Meal Growth Through Compact Tray Sealer
The Challenge: Scaling ready meal operations to meet growing demand.
Industry:
Ready Meals
Objective:
Moving from manual tray sealing processes into automatic to scale operations.
Solution:
G.Mondini Cigno Tray Sealer
Results:
50%
Increase in ready meal hourly output.
Success:
Clean Eats doubled production to 700 packs per hour and tripled productivity thanks to the plug-and-play efficiency of Cigno.
Project Overview
Clean Eats discovered Select Equip and the Cigno at the Melbourne Fine Foods tradeshow, where initially considered out of reach, the compact and efficient tray sealer became a necessity as their production demands grew.
Tony came to Select Equip needing three key things - a solution to fix their hand-loading and packing (limiting output to just 350 units per hour), updated systems due to rapid growth and finding that right partner for future success.
Tony came to Select Equip needing three key things - a solution to fix their hand-loading and packing (limiting output to just 350 units per hour), updated systems due to rapid growth and finding that right partner for future success.
Tony recalls, “Every aspect of scaling was a challenge. We needed the right solutions and the right people to support us through it.”
The Challenge
As Clean Eats expanded, production bottlenecks became a real challenge. Manual packing capped output at 350 units per hour, while growing demand called for faster, automated tray-sealing solutions. Tony needed a partner who could deliver not just machines, but dependable technical support and ongoing service - something previous suppliers hadn’t been able to provide.
The Impact
Since implementing the G.Mondini Cigno, Clean Eats has seen remarkable improvements:
Production Efficiency: Output has more than doubled to 700 units per hour, with plans to reach 1,000 units soon.
Extended Shelf Life: Ongoing testing aims to increase shelf life from 14 days to 21 days, enhancing product freshness and customer satisfaction.
Streamlined Operations: The Cigno’s plug-and-play system made onboarding easy, with staff quickly mastering its operation.
“We’ve gone from manual processes to a system that’s three times as productive. It’s a huge leap forward.”
Why Cigno & Select Equip
Choosing G.Mondini Cigno and Select Equip:
Clean Eats discovered Select Equip and the Mondini Cigno at the Fine Foods trade show. Initially considered out of reach, the compact and efficient tray sealer became a necessity as production demands grew.
Clean Eats discovered Select Equip and the Mondini Cigno at the Fine Foods trade show. Initially considered out of reach, the compact and efficient tray sealer became a necessity as production demands grew.
Partnering:
The decision to partner with Select Equip went beyond the machine itself.
Clean Eats Director Tony emphasises “Shane didn’t just sell a machine; he listened, understood our vision, and provided the solution we truly needed. The service was a game-changer.”
Key factors influencing the decision included:
Compact Design: The Cigno’s space-efficient footprint made it ideal for Clean Eats’ operations.
Efficiency: Matching the output of larger, bulkier machines, the Cigno offered the perfect balance of size and productivity.
Unmatched Service: From initial consultations to ongoing support, Select Equip provided a partnership, not just a product.
The decision to partner with Select Equip went beyond the machine itself.
Clean Eats Director Tony emphasises “Shane didn’t just sell a machine; he listened, understood our vision, and provided the solution we truly needed. The service was a game-changer.”
Key factors influencing the decision included:
Looking Ahead
Since bringing the G.Mondini Cigno on board, Clean Eats has more than doubled output to 700 units per hour, with sights set on 1,000. Shelf-life testing has extended freshness from 14 to 21 days, boosting quality and customer satisfaction. Its plug-and-play design has streamlined operations, tripling productivity and giving the team the confidence to meet growing demand.
With the Cigno at the heart of production, Clean Eats is exploring further automation — adding dosing and sleeving machines to scale efficiently while maintaining quality.
“Select Equip isn’t just a supplier — they’re a true partner in our growth,” Tony adds.
With the Cigno at the heart of production, Clean Eats is exploring further automation — adding dosing and sleeving machines to scale efficiently while maintaining quality.
“Select Equip isn’t just a supplier — they’re a true partner in our growth,” Tony adds.
Final Thoughts
Clean Eats Australia’s story is a testament to the power of combining innovative technology with outstanding service. Together, G.Mondini and Select Equip have set them on a path to growth, efficiency, and excellence.
About Clean Eats
Founded in 2015 by Tony Fadlallah, Clean Eats Australia began as a side business but quickly grew into a full-time operation. It has quickly become a trusted name in Australia’s fresh ready meal market. From local beginnings to nationwide growth, the brand delivers thousands of nutritious, convenient meals each week.
“The market might be full, but not with good food,” Tony explains. “We wanted to fill that gap with something exceptional.”
“The market might be full, but not with good food,” Tony explains. “We wanted to fill that gap with something exceptional.”
Cigno Tray Sealer
It’s no secret that when it comes to Tray Sealing G.Mondini leads the way and the Cigno is no exception. The G.Mondini Cigno is a compact tray sealer that delivers automatic performance at semi-automatic cost. Perfect for tight spaces, limited support, and seamless conveyor integration, it sets a new standard in efficiency and versatility.
Client Advice
Clean Eats Founder Tony encourages other businesses to prioritise service and partnerships when making key investments: “With Select Equip, you’re not just buying a machine; you’re getting a relationship that sets you up for long-term success.”
