The Push for Packaging Automation | Blog

Efficiency has a direct impact on your bottom line. Not only do outdated systems and practices cost your business time, but manual processes also cost more money in the long-term. When it comes to packaging, technology has made it possible to streamline and vastly improve your system’s efficiency through investments in automated packaging equipment.

What is Packaging Automation?

The term “packaging automation” refers to any process that enables product packaging with little to no human involvement. Equipment can be installed directly on the warehouse or factory floor to create a system that improves packaging efficiency and speed, while simultaneously reducing labour costs.

Numerous equipment options, and opportunities for integration exist. For example, some packaging automation systems are designed to take care of one, single process – such as forming or folding corrugated cardboard into a box. Or, a full packaging line can be put together if needed, with a system that handles everything from forming to sealing and stacking the boxes.

Why Automation is Worth the Investment

Spending money on packaging equipment is well worth the cost when you consider the long-term savings and benefits to your workflow. Even though it requires an investment upfront, many businesses find that the machines quickly pay for themselves.

Here are some of the benefits you can expect from the installation and implementation of packaging machines in your warehouse:

1. Improve Workflow

Systematizing the packaging process reduces the risk of human error. Additionally, the system can continuously run with a very limited number of employees required to operate the machine. Lead times can also be shortened so you can get the products into the hands of your customers as soon as possible.

2. Reduce Labour Costs

Redundancy can cut into profits and reduce individual employee productivity. Packaging automation can reduce the overall number of employees required in your operation by completing the task at hand in the most efficient and optimal way.

3. Maximize Output

Every product that goes out the door contributes to your profitability. Using the right equipment can be an important step towards maximizing output volume, which in turn has a positive impact on your bottom line.

4. Meet Customer Demand

During the busy season, it is critical that you keep up with demand. Timely packaging and shipping play a role in customer satisfaction, which affects business ratings, referrals, and repeat sales. Packaging automation makes it simple to keep up with the varying levels of demand throughout the year, without the need to juggle a fluctuating workforce of employees to accomplish the same task.

5. Capacity for Scale

As your business grows, it is essential that you have sustainable systems with the capacity to grow as demand increases. Automation is an effective way to enable scaling – not only for increased demand but also for the unique needs of new products developed in the future.

6. Workforce Productivity

Your employee’s productivity is limited based on the quality of available tools and equipment. When you provide your workforce with optimal tools, productivity can be leveraged without the need to hire more staff.

7. Packaging Flexibility

Many automated packaging setups can accommodate a range of packaging sizes, making it easy to switch quickly from one type or size of package to another.

8. Accuracy and Consistency

Package systemization improves accuracy and leads to a consistent level of quality being output. In addition, the more accurate a packaging system is the more efficiently it will use materials, resulting in additional material savings and making your organization more sustainable.

The PRRA 4000 is a fully automatic stretch wrapper.
Click here for more information on automatic pallet wrappers.

The CSX series from BestPack is a fully automatic case sealer. Click here for more information on automatic case sealers.

What to Consider Before Making the Switch

What are the specific features that need to be included in your new packaging system? Smart manufacturing has made it possible to leverage technology in ways we’ve never seen before. For example, real-time diagnostics are helpful for minimizing downtime and ensuring the optimal performance of the equipment.

It is also critical that safety features are built into your system. Not only do you need to protect the safety of employees to reduce the risk of injury in the workplace. But it’s also important to minimize potential damage to the products due to equipment malfunction.

Finally, consider the ease of integration in your workplace. While employees need to be trained on proper use and application, there is no need to bring in a complicated system that causes confusion among employees.

Top-notch technology is designed to adjust to your evolving business requirements, giving you the tools to maintain your competitive edge without the need to invest in new systems over and over again. Bring in the right equipment in the first place, which will give you the ongoing ability to streamline and adjust in-house processes as needed.

Personalized Solutions for Your Automation Requirements

When it comes to machine automation, it is important to understand that it is not a one-size-fits-all application. Every business has specific requirements, which is why the machinery needs to be customized for each company.

If you are ready to invest in packaging automation, then the best thing you can do is talk to a provider about your unique needs. Our team will ask the right questions, evaluate areas of opportunity, and design a customized solution that is tailored to improve your overall business systems. We offer the hands-on approach you need to ensure an optimal outcome. You can have confidence knowing that your investment will be well worth the cost because of the upside potential of system improvements and productivity in the workplace.

At Gertex Solutions, we provide the personalized solutions you need to improve your packaging systems. Whether you are looking for a packaging supplier, or you’d like to invest in a full system for packaging automation, we are here to help. Reach out to our team to discuss the various packaging solutions so we can help with your shipping systems. You are invited to contact us to book a complimentary assessment.

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