[Interview published in the online newspaper EmpresasdeMurcia.com on December 18].
The company from Murcia supports its evolution in the domestic market and in countries such as Egypt and Algeria, where the demand for food automation solutions continues to grow.
The company Marcopack, based in Lorquí, specialized in the design and manufacture of packaging machinery for the food industry , consolidates its international expansion with a strong growth of its activity, especially in North Africa.
With more than 35 years of experience in the sector, the company reinforces its position as a supplier of packaging, filling and labeling solutions adapted to markets undergoing industrial transformation.
Marcopack is a family company that designs and manufactures filling, capping, labeling and end-of-line machinery, offering from stand-alone equipment to complete customized lines. Its main value proposition is based on the customization of each project, the robustness of its equipment and a close and long-term technical support, adapted to both small companies and large industrial groups.
“Our added value lies in our ability to offer tailor-made solutions, from stand-alone machines to complete lines, with a close, service-oriented approach and long-term technical support,” explains Alejandro Serrano, head of international trade.
According to the company, the African food sector has undergone a very significant evolution in recent years, both in terms of industrial capacity and professionalization. More and more companies are opting for processing the product at source, rather than simply exporting raw materials, which is driving investment in modern and efficient packaging lines.
Marcopack’s presence in Africa is articulated through local distributors and integrators, with whom it collaborates in the implementation of high-production labeling solutions, complete lines for sauces, beverages and processed products, as well as projects for fresh fruit. In many cases, the company accompanies the customer from the design phase through to start-up and training of local teams.
“We have detected a growing interest in reliable European solutions, especially among producers seeking to replace low-quality machinery, with corrosion problems, lack of spare parts or lack of technical support. This context reinforces Marcopack’s commitment to offer robust, traceable equipment with a close after-sales service,” adds the sales manager.
This process is key to first supplying the domestic market and, subsequently, accessing more demanding export markets. This trend is being replicated in different countries of the continent and opens up important opportunities for specialized technology suppliers.
During the last fiscal year, Marcopack has recorded a turnover increase of close to 10% over the previous year, accumulating an approximate growth of 40% in the last five years.
Among the company’s most recent milestones is its participation as an exhibitor at Food Africa 2025, one of the continent’s leading agri-food trade fairs. The presence at this event has allowed Marcopack to strengthen relationships with local industrial groups, distributors and technology partners, as well as to advance in agreements related to complete packaging lines and high production labeling systems.
“As for Food Africa 2025, it has been our first participation as exhibitors, although we already knew the fair because we visited it the previous year. The experience has been very positive: we have been able to strengthen relationships with local customers and partners, closing agreements for packaging lines and new labeling machines, and confirming that our proposal fits very well with the needs of the Egyptian market and the region”, remarks the head of the Ilorcitana company.
The growth of the African food sector, driven by increasing domestic consumption, urbanization and the need to meet international food quality and safety standards, is creating new opportunities for European suppliers of industrial technology.
“In recent years, the food sector in Africa has made great progress, both in terms of industrial capacity and in terms of professionalization and requirements in terms of quality and food safety. More and more companies are betting on processing the product at source, instead of just exporting the raw material, and this means investing in more modern and efficient packaging, filling and labeling lines,” he explains.
He adds that “a very clear example can be seen in the Ivory Coast: in order to be able to export in a sustained manner, they first need the domestic market to be well supplied, and this involves automating the production process, increasing manufacturing capacity, meeting local demand and, from there, exporting and generating greater benefits for the entire sector. This type of process is being replicated in other African countries, where the food industry is consolidating step by step”, they add.
In this context, Marcopack is committed to robust, scalable and easy to maintain equipment, designed to adapt to demanding production environments and different levels of automation.
“Our commitment to the African food market stems from a combination of opportunity and vocation. On the other hand, we saw many similarities with what we experienced in the Region of Murcia: companies with great potential, but that needed to make the leap towards more automated, efficient and export-oriented processes. At Marcopack we felt that we could provide that experience, accompanying African producers and packers with simple-to-use, scalable solutions and close long-term support,” they explain.
This positive evolution is supported by both the domestic market and the development of new projects in countries such as Egypt, Morocco and Algeria, where the demand for food automation solutions continues to grow.
“In these regions we are mainly implementing labeling, filling and end-of-line solutions, both in plants that are taking their first steps in automation and in large groups that want to modernize their facilities. I would especially highlight
The company is also incorporating sustainability criteria in its developments, with machinery prepared to work with lighter packaging, recyclable materials and labeling solutions aligned with European regulations. This approach is particularly relevant for African producers seeking access to more demanding export markets.
In the next two years, Marcopack foresees even more significant growth thanks to several large volume projects already signed or at an advanced stage of negotiation. The company will continue to strengthen its technical structure and its network of local partners in order to consolidate its position as a technological partner of reference for the food industry in emerging markets, while maintaining the close relationship and flexibility of a family-owned company.
Source: EmpresasdeMurcia.com
