Rianta, operating under its current name only since 2019, has already achieved remarkable progress. As a member of the Germany-headquartered Optima Group, one of the world’s leading specialists in filling and packaging technology, the company offers a wide range of products – from stand-alone machines to fully automated line solutions, providing artisan bakeries as well as food corporations with solutions that fully meet each and everyone’s needs and production methods.
Managing Director Davor Kovacevic explained that the packaging machines specifically designed for the bakery industry range from small solutions to complete turnkey lines, customised or standardised.
He noted that while Rianta is relatively young, Optima’s history goes back a century, and Rianta’s own predecessor, a business bought by Optima Group in 2018, had a proven track record in the packaging sector since the 1960s. “We have decades of experience in the food packaging sector. While Rianta’s core market is Europe, our packaging machines have been deployed in bakeries around the world, working for customers on five continents.”
State-of-the-art
Rianta’s machines have been setting standards in hygiene, reliability, and flexibility. “Our portfolio is as broad and varied as is our clientele,” acknowledged Kovacevic. “Small models with manual loading are suitable for packaging special pastries. For large batches, we offer fully automatic packaging lines.”
From semi- or fully automated cutting, stacking, packaging, and sealing of baked goods to precise placement in trays or on pallets: industrial machine solutions from Rianta combine high performance with flexibility, enabling the increased speed of mass production and yet a dynamic response to consumer demands. For artisan bakeries, the company offers machine solutions that pack, and seal baked goods from a single piece, in foil or paper bags, in a cost-effective manner.
Bags can be either clipped, resulting in a shapely frill, or sealed to achieve a long product shelf life. A combination of both types of closure is also possible. The portfolio is rounded out by transport equipment, checkweighers and case packers. The configuration desired by the customer can be incorporated into a single machine frame, offering clear benefits.
Kovacevic explains that Rianta machines are unique in a number of ways. “Using the approach of the large Optima Group, we have redesigned our complete portfolio of packaging machines. As a result, our machines are state-of-the-art, characterised by reliability, robustness, ease of operation and high service comfort.”
Prestigious award
These advantages are not only appreciated by customers but are also recognised by the expert community. At IBA, the International Bakery Exhibition, the world’s leading trade fair for the baking and confectionery industry that takes place every three years at the Munich Exhibition Centre, one of Rianta’s machines, the RS60 packaging system, has been honoured with the International Innovation Award for its innovative design and functionality.
The machine presents a pioneering, fully automatic and modular solution that has been specially developed for cutting, stacking, and packaging bakery products. The jury praised the machine for reflecting the hygienic design specifications of the European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group (EHEDG) and the food industry, while retaining proven processes and functional aspects.
The modular design enables very good visual inspection and the fastest possible maintenance as well as easy replacement of individual modules. The machine is easily accessible from anywhere and the use of the latest control and servo technology enables quick format changes via the HMI.
Davor Kovacevic commented: “Receiving the IBA Award confirms the feedback and demand from our customers for state-of-the-art solutions in the bakery industry. For us, being the first manufacturer of packaging machines to be honoured with this award is an important milestone and reinforces our innovative corporate strategy.”
Sustainable partnerships
It goes without saying that sustainability is Rianta’s prime focus, and the company strives to make the whole process more sustainable, from the beginning to shipment. Rianta’s machines can use any kind of packaging material, and the company is working together with its customers on introducing fully recyclable plastic packaging that enables the consumer to clearly see the packed product.
“Close collaboration with customers is also one of our competitive advantages. We strive to find the best solution for each and every client, as the packaging is only one part of the process. The other part is increasing the shelf life of the product in a natural manner without additional ingredients in the product.”
“So, the packaging serves two purposes – to protect the product and secure its shelf life. Ultimately, we are working with our customer on reducing food waste, a growing requirement in the market, and an integral part of the sustainability concept. The close cooperation with customers is what sets us apart; interestingly, we don’t see any of our competitors partnering so closely with their clients on sustainability and food waste reduction.”
Number One solution provider
Davor Kovacevic assumed the role of Rianta’s CEO only last year when the business employed just 24 people. Now, the number has risen to 60 and is set to increase further. “We have experienced steep growth over the last few months, specifically after the success at IBA. Demand has just exploded.”
“In a way, to have become an innovation leader in such a short space of time has come as a surprise as there are many, and larger, companies that have been in the market for much longer. Working closely with customers has been one of the things that have moved us to this position.”
He is determined to make sure that Rianta exploits the opportunities. “My personal vision is for Rianta to become the number one packaging machines solution provider in the bakery industry. We want to be real partners to our customers and provide them with any kind of solution they may need for their specific packaging needs.”
