Packaging Automation

Turbocharge your productivity, while reducing costs. Explore packaging automation equipment and services available from Macfarlane Packaging. 

Enquire today
A truck driving down a motorway through trees A truck driving down a motorway through trees

Save money by lowering your operational costs

Automated packing systems are designed to optimise your packing process, so you can reduce costs associated with materials, productivity, transport and labour.

Drastically improve your pack line productivity

Packaging automation can drastically improve your pack line productivity and throughput. Dispatch more packs per hour to cope with demand, and reassign labour to key tasks.

Use less packaging and produce less carbon

Automating packing ensures the right size pack and the right amount of material every time, eliminating waste. You can deliver more products with fewer vehicles too – lowering your carbon emissions. 

Optimise your storage space and transport

Using packaging machinery can free up valuable space in your warehouse by eliminating the need to store excess packaging SKUs. Plus, automation helps optimise the size of your parcels, so you can get more packages onto a delivery vehicle, controlling costs and fuel use.

Enhance packing quality control and minimise errors

How your team pack a product may differ from person to person. Packaging automation ensures quality control – minimizing damages and packaging material wastage.

Future proof for growth and future demand

Automation can seem like a big investment, but it can help you future proof for growth and seasonal demand by increasing your capacity significantly. Long-term this will help control costs as you grow.

Packaging automation has a huge range of benefits and can transform your operation

We can help with a wide range of packaging automation equipment from boxing machines and case erectors through to gummed paper tape dispensers and pallet wrappers - and everything in between.

Free packaging automation guide download

Our FREE guide to packaging automation will:

 

  • Find information about automating packaging to help save both time and money.
  • Learn about packaging automation and the benefits of automating packaging.
  • Find answers to some of the frequently asked questions related to packaging automation.
  • Help find the right packaging automation system for your business
  • Determine the best automation system for your business.
  • Help identify ways in which warehouse space can be used efficiently.

Automated packaging systems available from Macfarlane

We can help with a wide range of packaging automation equipment from boxing machines and case erectors through to gummed paper tape dispensers and pallet wrappers – and everything in between!

Box Automation

Case erectors

 

Automated boxing machines

 

Void reduction systems

Automated Bagging

Automatic bagging machines

 

Horizontal and vertical auto
baggers

 

Bulk bagging equipment

Strapping Automation

Semi and fully automated strapping machines

 

Friction welders

 

Strapping & banding tables

Protective Automation

Semi and fully automated void fill systems

 

Air cushioning and air pillow machines

 

Integrated void fill systems

Paper Automation

Paper void fill machines & systems

Paper wrapping equipment

Paper cushioning systems

Automatic Taping

Semi & fully case sealers

In-line tape machines

Gummed paper tape dispensers

Polythene Automation

Shrink wrapping machines & shrink wrappers

Heat shrink tunnels

Heat sealers

Stretch Automation

Fully & semi automatic pallet wrappers

Horizontal stretch wrapping machines

Vertical stretch wrapping machines

Rotating arm stretch wrap machines

Signs your business is ready for packaging automation

Are you wondering if now’s the time to introduce automated packing systems to your operation?

Watch this video for six signs that could indicate you’d benefit from packaging automation.

Need further advice? Download our free extended packaging automation checklist

It details further signs that you could benefit from implementing automated packaging systems.

See automation in action

Want to see some of the packaging machinery and automation solutions we can provide or learn why upgrading to automation can benefit you? Watch a selection of our packaging automation videos today.

Frequently asked questions about packaging automation

Got a question about packaging automation? Read our automation FAQs!
Packaging automation is the process of packaging products without the need for manual human intervention, using machinery to assemble or dispense packaging materials. It can also involve the movement of product or parcels throughout a warehouse between picking, packing and dispatch sites.
There are lots of benefits of using automated packing systems. Some of the benefits include: Controlling and reducing operating costs – including cost associated with materials, storage, labour and productivity Improving productivity – automation will drastically increase the through put of your packing line and help you increase your packs per minute Reducing environmental impact and packaging waste – as automation can optimise your pack size, weight and composition it can lead to using less fuel for transport, lowering emissions. Plus, as the volume of packaging material you use is controlled, you’ll create less waste. Packing quality control – using packaging machinery helps you enhance quality control of your packing processes – there is minimised risk of variation. The knock-on effect is reduced damages and reduced material waste. Releasing storage space – digitising packing processes can help you reduce the amount of packaging products you need to store in your warehouse. In turn, this releases valuable space for your product or other operations.
The difference between manual, semi-automated and fully automated packing processes is the level of human involvement in the packing process: Manual packing processes – this is when the packaging process is completed entirely by hand by a packer. The packer would be responsible for assembling the packing (e.g. a cardboard box or bag), dispensing and inserting any protective material (like bubble wrap), and sealing it (with packing tape). Semi-automated packing processes – this is when the packing process is part manual and part automated. For example, an operator may start the process but an automated packing system may finish it. Fully automated packing processes – this is when the complete packing process is automated from beginning through to completion. This could include everything from picking, packaging application and palletisation for dispatch.
There are lots of ways to automate your packing processes. You can automate almost any part of packing procedures, but if you need pointers of where to start you will need to review your packing operation. This will help you identify any bottlenecks or processes that could be improved or automated. Our packaging review can help you identify areas for improvement. You can also send us an automation enquiry and arrange an appointment with our experts, they can support you on your automation journey.
The type of packaging machinery you need will depend on the products you’re packing, your processes. your productivity goals and your warehouse space. You’d also need to factor in your budget. There are lots of different types of packaging machinery available, from cardboard box and case erectors and auto-bagging machines through to pallet wrappers, heat shrink tunnels, in-line taping machines and much much more! Why not get in touch to see how one of our packaging experts can help guide you?
How much packaging automation will cost your business will depend on the solution you choose. Some small automated equipment, like water activated tape dispensers, can start from as little as £1,000. In contrast, custom solutions and high-volume equipment would be much more costly. However, it is important to remember that packaging automation often delivers a return on investment quickly – offering operational cost savings in other areas like labour, productivity, storage and transport. If you’d like to cost packaging equipment or automation, contact us today.

Our latest articles about packaging automation

A guide to entry, mid and top-level packaging automation solutions 
A guide to entry, mid and top-level packaging automation solutions 
When you hear the term “packaging automation” or “packaging machinery” it can be easy to think that the term relates to large-scale systems that involve an expensive outlay. But that doesn’t have to be the case.   Packaging automation can have significant benefits, including helping you combat incoming costs associated with National L
Using Packaging Automation to Offset Labour Costs and National Insurance Contributions 
Using Packaging Automation to Offset Labour Costs and National Insurance Contributions 
Following the announcement of the UK’s 2024 Autumn budget, UK businesses are set to face significant increases in costs associated with labour throughout 2025. The jump in employer National Insurance contributions will be a headache for many and mean that companies will need to look at where they can tighten their belts.   Compounding
3 quick-install packaging automation systems for ecommerce
3 quick-install packaging automation systems for ecommerce
The peak season for online shopping is fast approaching, and retailers are preparing to manage increased orders and demands.. If you are an internet retailer, you will be no stranger to the challenges that peak seasons bring. During busy times like holidays or promotions, being able to process orders quickly is crucial for your business's su
3 quick-install packaging automation systems for ecommerce

The peak season for online shopping is fast approaching, and retailers are preparing to manage increased orders and demands.. If you are an internet r…

Managing labour shortages in logistic operations

The last few years have proved to be challenging for UK business. 2024 has seen the continuation of a persistent labour and skills shortage in the log…

Using Automation to Speed Up Case Sealing

The speed of packing and shipping your goods is an important factor in meeting customer expectations for order fulfilment. Efficient packaging can be …

We can help you with packaging automation throughout the UK. to you from one of our regional distribution centres. Our teams can provide packaging automation recommendations and services to and around the following locations:

Aberdeen, Aylesbury, Banbury, Barnsley, Bath, Bedford, Bicester, Birmingham , Bolton, Bradford, Bridgewater, Bridport, Bristol, Burton-upon-Trent , Cambridge, Chelmsford , Cheltenham, Chester , Chichester, Colchester Cornwall, Coventry, Crewe, Derby, Devon, Dewsbury, Dudley, Dundee, Durham, Edinburgh, Essex, Exeter, Fareham, Gateshead, Glasgow Glossop Gloucester, Grantham, Harlow, Heathrow, Hemel Hempstead, Hereford, High Wycombe, Horsham, Hull, Inverness, Isle of Wight, Kent, Kidderminster, Lancaster  Leamington Spa, Leeds, Lincoln, Liverpool , London , Luton , Manchester, Middlesborough, Milton Keynes, Newbury, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Norfolk, North Wales , Northampton, Nottingham , Oldham, Oxford , Plymouth, Reading, Salisbury, Sheffield, Shrewsbury, Shrewsbury, Slough, Somerset , Somerton, South Shields, South Wales, Stafford, Stockport , Stoke-on-Trent , Stratford-Upon-Avon, Sudbury, Sunderland, Surrey, Sussex , Teesside, Telford, Uxbridge, Wakefield, Walsall, Warrington, Warwick , Watford, Wigan, Windsor, Wolverhampton, Worcester, Wrexham, Yeovil, York.

Macfarlane Packaging can also help with automated packing systems across Ireland and Continental Europe. Click to find your closest UK location or nearest Continental European site.