New Machines, New People, New Markets – Exciting Times At GIC
One of the UK’s most experienced manufacturers of vertical form fill and seal (VFFS) packaging machines is targeting new markets with the launch of two new machines and four new appointments.
As part of a strategic growth plan, GIC has added the GIC200 and GIC400 to its range this month (December 2025). The two new machines have been designed primarily to offer a cost-effective solution for lower-speed applications or for entrepreneurial businesses at the early stage of automating their manufacturing processes.
GIC, which has been manufacturing VFFS machines for over 40 years, believes the new machines will be particularly attractive to coffee, snack and hardware packers, and has recruited Steve Benson as an Applications Manager to target these markets.
Mr Benson, who was previously managing director of Technosys, has over 18 years of experience in developing UK packaging solutions for many businesses, including coffee roasters, hardware manufacturers, pet food producers and snack and confectionery packers, amongst many others, and his experience will be pivotal in increasing GIC’s presence in these sectors.
Steve is joined at GIC by his former colleague, Adam Craven, who will bring his 13 years of experience working on VFFS machines to his new role as Field Service Engineer for the Gainsborough-based company. Third-year electrical apprentice Tyler Johnstone has also moved his apprenticeship to GIC this month.
GIC’s fourth appointment is Nigel Box, who has accepted the role of Support Engineer for users of Cotswold linear weighers, which were added to GIC’s portfolio last month when it purchased Cotswold Mechanical Ltd’s intellectual property, stock, and spare parts inventory following the company’s liquidation. Mr Box brings with him a wealth of experience, having worked at Cotswold Mechanical Ltd for 15 years.
“This is a very exciting time for GIC,” says Andy Beal, Managing Director. “I think it is fair to say that GIC is very well known in several sectors, such as fresh produce, frozen foods, leaf salad and aggregates, and we’re pleased to say we work with some of the largest companies in those industries. Since Luke and I bought the business in 2006, we’ve worked hard to develop a range of vertical form fill and seal baggers that offer the highest possible quality, reliability and efficiency, and to provide excellent after-sales support to our customers.
“We’ve always focused on working in the industries in which we have in-depth knowledge so that we can add value to our customers. Now, with the appointment of Steve, Adam and Nigel, our team has detailed and strategic knowledge of sectors such as coffee, pet food and hardware that were previously opportunistic for GIC. By designing our new pneumatic GIC200 and GIC400 range to provide solutions in these sectors, we’re very excited about seeing how this opportunity develops.”
The GIC200 is an intermittent-motion pneumatic machine with motorised film feed, ideal for producing a wide range of pack formats with bag widths of 30mm–250mm. The GIC200 incorporates robust, proven mechanical design and the latest Rockwell Allen Bradley controls to ensure industry-leading reliability and low cost of ownership. The GIC400 is the larger sibling to the GIC200, producing bag widths of 400mm. As well as coffee and powders, the new machines are also suited to packing snacks, confectionery, hardware, powders, pulses, pet foods, fresh foods and liquids.
Luke Murphy, GIC’s Director, is looking forward to 2026, saying: “GIC has grown its team and turnover at a steady and sustained rate over the last four decades so it is unprecedented for the company to add four new people, develop and launch two new machines, purchase the rights to a well-established and well-respected brand such as Cotswold Mechanical weighers and to be targeting new markets in such a short space of time. Everyone at GIC is looking forward to 2026 as we’re sure it will be an exciting year for the business.”
