Packaging Solutions
Antalis’ head of automation and systems, Stuart Bates, shares his insight into the benefits of investing in packaging machinery.
While the economy is finally showing signs of improvement, there are still significant challenges facing packing and logistics operations. A considered investment in packaging machinery can help overcome the challenges and provide change and improvement over the longer term.
‘To be honest, there is never a bad time to invest in packaging machinery. Chosen well, and maintained properly, it is an investment you are unlikely to regret,’ said Stuart.
Tackle labour shortages
Recruitment of labour continues to be a challenge. When a workforce is under pressure the quality of packing can suffer. Stuart advised, ‘Look at your workflow and see where the bottlenecks are; could machinery add the efficiency that’s missing?’
For example, carton handling equipment can erect up to 22 cartons per minute compared with three erected per minute manually. At the same time, semi or fully automated pallet wrappers have a pallet-wrapping capability from 25 to 180 pallets per hour.
Cut costs
While labour, energy and material costs fluctuate, machinery costs are easier to pin down, making forecasting, budgeting and planning much easier. For example, machinery can be calibrated to use fixed quantities of material, ensuring consistency and efficiency.
Stuart cites the example of an Antalis customer who purchased a Lantech Q300 semi-automatic pallet wrapper, with a power pre-stretch of up to 300%. ‘By matching the stretch film to the machinery, we were able to ensure the customer maximised their film yield so effectively, compared with wrapping manually, that the savings in film costs paid for the purchase of the machinery in less than 12 months,’ said Stuart.
Improve health and safety
According to the Health and Safety Executive, in a 12 month period during 2022 to 23, two million working days were lost in the transportation and storage sector as a result of illness or injury; an estimated 20,000 workers were suffering from a work related musculoskeletal disorder.
Many of these will have arisen from manual handling and repetitive tasks. By switching these tasks to a machine, health and safety risks can be reduced. For example, Stuart said, ‘Any business needing to assemble more than three cases per minute would benefit from investing in carton erecting machinery. It offers speed and consistency over manual assembly; plus, carton assembly is probably the most monotonous job in the warehouse, with the risk of workers developing repetitive strain injuries. Carton erecting equipment also frees up staff for other activities such as picking or packing.’
Reduce damages
Goods damaged as a result of poor packaging or load containment can be incredibly costly – and infuriating for the customer. When staff are under pressure, boxes erected manually might lead to a weaker structure that is more prone to crushing and toppling over. Automated carton erectors, such as the Lantech Total Control System, consistently erect boxes with the all important 90 degree corners. As well as being stronger, they stack better to create more stable loads.
Improve customer experience
Packing orders effectively and efficiently and getting them delivered on time is at the heart of providing a first-rate customer experience. Stuart said, ‘During peak, service levels can slip, especially if you are having to use temporary staff. Carton handling equipment can work with peaks and troughs in demand and provides cartons of consistent quality.’
Take advantage of full expensing
In its 2023 spring budget, the government announced the 130% super deduction was being replaced with full expensing. Companies subject to UK corporation tax will receive a 100% first year tax deduction for expenditures they incur on qualifying plant or machinery. In effect, this reduces the in year cost of plant or machinery by 25%.
Stuart concluded, ‘There is never a bad time to invest in machinery, and this is even more true since the government announced in its autumn statement that full expensing on plant and machinery is to be made permanent. Chosen well, packaging machinery can pay for itself in a short period; with the benefit of full expensing on top, now is the right time to invest.’
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