Three ways packaging automation can reduce operational costs
We know it’s a tough time for businesses and that many are looking for ways to reduce costs. This week we thought we’d talk about the effect that packaging automation can have on your business.
There are many benefits to packaging automation which we will cover in this article but, just in case you’re ruling out any investment at the moment and are about to move on the next article, did you know that an automated packing process uses less packaging material? So, within months a new system could pay for itself with the savings made from packaging procurement…
Many people think automation involves significant outlay but, this is not always the case. Sure, you could go for a fully integrated set-up that makes Greg Wallace dizzy with excitement on his factory tour but, you can also look at entry-level automation too. You could go semi-automated – where a level of manual intervention is required – or fully automated, where the system completes the total task.
An entry-level system for taping, for example, would be a compact digital tape dispenser which provides pre-programmed lengths of tape to the packing operator, keeping the process semi-manual but speeding up packing time. A fully automated machine could physically apply the tape to the pack without any manual intervention at all.
Automation to reduce operational costs
There is automation available for every stage of your packing process. It can handle time-consuming activities such as packing, lidding, sealing and labelling. This frees up staff to concentrate on other, potentially more strategic, tasks for your business.
For more industrial and distribution-based businesses, automation like stretch wrap machines can apply film quickly and consistently, ensuring load containment whilst the pallet is in transit. It frees up your warehouse team to focus on pallet movement and other tasks rather than laboriously walking round and round a pallet to apply stretch wrap manually.
Automation to reduce transport costs
Automation helps ensure your packages are optimised for transport, using less packaging material and improving the cubage of your parcels.
Improved cubage often means cheaper carrier rates and that you can fit more products onto a pallet – this could reduce the number of vehicles you need on the road to transport your goods. That’s a big tick in the environment box too!
Automation to reduce damage and returns costs
Optimised, fit-for-purpose packages offer better product protection in transit, significantly reducing the possibility of damage. This impacts positively in the cost of damages and returns – for example, customer service, administration, product replacement, additional labour and logistics, product write-off.
Packaging automation really can reduce costs throughout your operation.
At Macfarlane Packaging, we can help you choose and implement the best packaging automation option for your business based on your budget and requirements.
