EDITOR’S CHOICE
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS
ULMA PACKAGING
OPTIMISING PRODUCTION FOR
MANUFACTURERS WITH AUTOMATION
In today’s increasingly demanding
business environment, it is vital companies
identify efficiency and productivity gains
if they are to continue to thrive. With
that in mind, Steve Craddock, Business
Manager – Automation Projects at ULMA
Packaging UK, explains how implementing
automated packaging technology can
help manufacturers optimise production
processes and lower labour costs.
The manufacturing sector’s needs are
diverse and ever-changing, and packaging
machinery has become more sophisticated
to meet these requirements. Automation
could help lower company labour costs
while increasing operational efficiency and
upping production capacity, creating a
stable platform for further growth.
This is especially the case for manufacturers
producing a wide array of products,
where adopting innovative solutions
could help site owners and operators
adapt to more complex packaging needs.
Product quantities are a key consideration
when selecting appropriate machinery.
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PECM Issue 39
Automated lines, for example, would be an
ideal recommendation at sites requiring
product packaging and processing on a
larger scale.
Consequently, an automated packaging
solution can boost output while lowering
cost, helping these companies realise new
avenues for growth. Existing lines do not
need to be scrapped to install a bespoke
automation solution – instead, it can be
adapted to fit current site processes. Indeed,
some of the best automated packaging lines
feature a very simple design, far away from
any stereotypes around overly-complex
robotics and complicated trials.
A good example of this is Border Biscuits
Ltd., which worked with ULMA Packaging
to overhaul the packaging line at its
Lanark factory. The factory produced over
300,000 packets of biscuits every week,
which needed to packaged quickly and to
a high level of quality. ULMA installed two
Atlanta Hi-tech flowrappers with Dakota
infeed units, which automatically carry
biscuit packets into cardboard containers
for storage and distribution. As a result, the
company doubled the output of its most
popular range.
Manufacturers that are already satisfied
with their current packaging processes
can potentially implement an end-of-line
solution to realise efficiency gains. By
introducing an automated loading system
into the line’s final stages, for example,
packaged goods can be moved into baskets
and pallets to enable quicker delivery.
As a result, the company can redeploy its
workforce to carry out more complex tasks,
further improving production.
By making the switch from manual or semi-
automated packaging lines, companies
could transform their production capacity
while markedly reducing operational costs.
To find out more please visit:
www.ulmapackaging.co.uk/,
alternatively, contact ULMA
Packaging UK.