Packaging machines

Looking for a used packaging machine for print or packaging production?

A used packaging machine can be a smart way to expand production without waiting for a new machine. However, buying used machinery is not the same as ordering a standard product from a catalogue.

Every used machine has a history. It may have produced cartons, wrapped printed products, supported a bindery line or handled end-of-line packaging. Understanding that history helps us assess whether the machine is the right investment for its next owner.

A machine that has been used well, maintained properly and taken out of production for the right reasons is a strong addition to another production line. That is what our team looks for. We check where the machine comes from, how it was used, what condition it is in and whether it fits the buyer’s next step.

That judgement comes from experience. We have been active in used graphic machinery since 1985 and work with printing, finishing and packaging machines every day. From our offices in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Spain and Italy, we help companies worldwide find, inspect, move and install used machinery.

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Why choose a used packaging machine?

A used packaging machine is often chosen for one simple reason: speed. When production needs to grow, waiting months for new equipment is not always realistic.

Used equipment can help a company add capacity faster, replace an older machine or build a more complete production line without the investment level of new machinery. That is especially relevant in print, finishing and packaging, where many packaging machines are built for years of industrial use.

Which packaging machine fits your production process?

Mekes works with used packaging machinery for print, finishing and packaging environments. This includes machines for die-cutting, folding and gluing, laminating, coating, wrapping, sealing, strapping, conveying, handling, labeling and coding.

Packaging machinery is a broad category. A machine used after a printing press is not always the same as a machine used at the end of a packing line.

• Die cutting machines: Produce folding cartons and other packaging from printed sheets.
• Folder gluers: Fold and glue cartons into finished packaging products.
• Laminating and coating machines: Add protection, a premium finish or a specific look and feel to printed products.
• Wrapping, strapping and conveyor systems: Move, group and prepare products for storage and shipment in bindery and finishing environments.
• Labeling and coding machines: Apply labels, barcodes, batch numbers and product information for retail, industrial, food and pharmaceutical packaging.

The right machine depends on the product, material, format, speed and existing production line. A packaging machine has to match the product, the speed of the line and the machines before and after it.

For example, we sold a used Heidelberg Varimatrix 105C die-cutting machine in 2024 to a folding carton producer in Brazil. The customer needed extra die-cutting capacity for packaging production, without waiting for the delivery time of a new machine.

Mekes supported the process from machine selection and technical checks to dismantling, loading and international transport. A project like this is not only about finding the right machine. It is about making sure the machine is complete, suitable for the customer’s workflow and ready for its next production life.

Which A-brands can Mekes supply?

Mekes focuses on professional A-brand machinery for the graphic and packaging industry. Depending on availability, this may include brands such as Bobst, Kolbus, Hugo Beck, Heidelberg, Billhöfer, Kama and Komfi.

That brand focus is deliberate. In the used machinery market, A-brands usually offer a better basis for long-term use. The machines are built for industrial production, technicians know them and parts or technical information are often easier to trace.

However, an A-brand is not a guarantee on its own. The machine still has to be checked and matched to the buyer’s production. But it is a strong starting point.

Why buy through Mekes instead of an auction or general machinery trader?

At an auction, the responsibility often moves quickly to the buyer. You see the machine, place a bid and arrange the rest yourself. That can work, but it can also create problems when dismantling or transport turn out to be more complicated than expected.

Mekes works differently. We focus fully on used graphic machinery. That means printing presses, finishing equipment and packaging machines are our daily work. We understand how these machines are used, how they are moved and what can go wrong if a project is not prepared properly.

Our role can start with sourcing or inspection, but it often continues through dismantling, loading, transport, installation and technical support. That full-service approach is one of the main reasons customers choose Mekes when a machine has to move from one production site to another, often across borders.

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How fast can Mekes help when a machine is needed quickly?

Used machinery is a moving market. A good machine can become available suddenly and be sold just as quickly. Because Mekes has been active in this market for more than 40 years, we have built a worldwide network of printers, packaging companies, dealers and technical partners.

That network helps us act quickly. Sometimes the right machine is already in stock. Sometimes it has to be sourced through contacts before it appears publicly online. In both cases, fast communication and technical judgement make the difference.

For customers, this can mean expanding capacity much sooner than with new equipment.

How does Mekes handle dismantling, transport and installation?

Packaging and finishing machines can include several:

• Conveyor sections
• Control cabinets
• Feeding units
• Delivery units
• Accessories

If these are not labelled, loaded or transported correctly, installation becomes harder than it needs to be.

Mekes can coordinate the complete process of inspection, dismantling, loading, transport, export documentation, installation and support after delivery.

Can Mekes source a specific used packaging machine?

Many machines are sold through existing relationships before they reach our website. Because Mekes works worldwide and has local presence in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Spain and Italy, we can search beyond our own stock.

If a customer is looking for a specific brand, format, configuration or production function, we can actively check the market. This way, you are not limited to what happens to be listed at that moment.

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When is a used packaging machine not the right choice?

If a company needs the newest automation, a very specific factory configuration or full OEM warranty, new equipment may be the better route. The same applies when the production process leaves no room for technical variation.

Used packaging machinery becomes interesting when speed and investment level matter more than having the newest model. Important to note is that Mekes will not treat every available machine as the right machine for a company. Sometimes the better advice is to wait, search further or choose a different configuration.

Frequently asked questions about packaging machinery

Is a used packaging machine reliable?

Many professional packaging machines are built for years of industrial production, which makes them suitable for the used market.

At Mekes, we look at the brand, configuration, technical condition, production history and the way the machine will be used next. That helps us determine whether a machine is a good match for the buyer’s production.

How does a packaging machine work?

Packaging machines work by automating the process of packaging products. The specific process depends on the type of packaging machine being used. However, most packaging machines have a few common components, including a feeding system, a packaging system and a control system. The feeding system feeds products into the packaging machine, while the packaging system packages and seals the products. The control system monitors and controls the packaging process to ensure that it runs smoothly.

Can Mekes arrange transport and installation?

Mekes can support the complete process, including inspection, dismantling, loading, transport, export documentation, installation and technical support.

Does Mekes only sell packaging machines?

Mekes focuses on used graphic machinery, including printing presses, finishing equipment and packaging machines. This full focus on used machinery is one of the reasons customers work with Mekes.

Can Mekes find a machine that is not listed online?

Mekes can actively source used packaging machinery through its worldwide network. Many machines are sold through contacts before they appear publicly online.

Want to discuss a used packaging machine?

Are you looking for a packaging solution?

Contact Mekes Graphic Machinery. Tell us what you produce, what capacity you need and which brands or configurations you prefer. We will check our stock and network to see which used packaging machine fits your production best.