Tony Bryant, Sales Director, at Shemesh Automation, a global manufacturer of high-end packaging machinery, explains how all-in-one packaging solutions leave little room for human error and can boost productivity
What do packaging operations want from machinery? A hands off approach for delivering the goods is the answer.
Promoting brand awareness and shelf appeal in retail is critical for items such as wet wipes as it’s a very competitive market – although maybe not so much for commercial and industrial settings where presentation is perhaps less crucial than functionality. However, packaging suppliers need to offer sustainable, well-designed packaging and correctly positioned labeling that is distinctive and does what it says on the pack.
Different environments require different packaging formats for wet wipes. Where companies have not automated their lines, they are regularly suffering with staff shortages, which are having a knock-on effect for productivity. Fully automated operations can rapidly boost output of robust refillable containers for industrial settings or packing soft pouches which are better suited for the consumer environment.
Flexibility is key for managing different products, shapes, sizes and containers – downtime for changing lines to accommodate a brand’s style can result in lost revenue. What’s needed is a hands-off approach with cutting-edge equipment that encompasses all aspects of downstream packaging from cans and wipes roll stuffing, feeding, liquid filling, bag sealing, capping, continuous labelling and case packing.
Offering complete round wipes downstream, turn-key solutions can help expand knowhow, enhance production efficiency, lower costs, raise output and product quality as well as improve market share and overall profit margins for a business. .
Hiring and retaining staff and the rising cost and availability of raw materials are major challenges facing manufacturers. Bringing everything in-house and automating processes is the driver to maximising production capacity – highly-automated processes require less close operator interaction. Machines developed for high quality wipes production offer ultra-low changeover downtime, reduced raw materials waste and are space saving, leading to substantial cost savings.
Automation provides a consistent process irrespective of staffing levels. A flick of the button and you are off and running, which is a major benefit. Thanks to modern, maintenance-friendly designs, when operators do get involved, they have optimum accessibility of machine parts allowing for tool-less changeovers quickly and safely. The market also offers packaging machines that save energy and allow the use of eco-friendly and recyclable materials that are being developed for wet wipes for improved sustainability.
Manufacturers need to decide when working with a packaging machine supplier what their capabilities are and how they are structured for change. Reliable delivery, quality product, competitive costing and great service are still key indicators of performance.
Covid-19 has changed many industries forever. The world is now more hygiene-conscious than ever before. We’re expecting a short-term stabilisation in market demand for nonwovens: stock levels are quite high at the moment because everybody invested heavily in stocking their warehouses before the virus hit. However we also believe that medium as well as long-term demand should remain elevated relative to pre-pandemic levels.
In addition, the pandemic and the resulting shortage in raw materials – coupled with a stronger awareness of sustainability – accelerated the use of round wipes in stand-up refillable pouches. From listening to customers around the world, this trend will not fade out but may indeed intensify.
Resealable pouches for wet wipes can reduce shipping costs if you can convince your customer that’s the way forward, while investing in equipment that is versatile enough to provide fast turnaround times as well as flexible filling, sealing, and capping machinery that fits their specific requirements. The ability to handle a variety of packaging materials and products is a key advantage in the highly competitive wet wipes market.
Innovation
The challenge is sourcing easy-to-use systems that can seamlessly interact between brand labels, complex shapes and materials - but that don’t cost the earth. All-in-one packaging machines with completely hands-free operation increases production efficiency by encompassing all aspects of wet wipes packaging.
We all have the responsibility to care for the environment and the world around us. This means making machines that are designed and built with sustainability in mind. Thanks to the fact that the portioning process itself is much faster, fewer filling stations and smaller turrets overall are required, saving space in a production plant.
The goal is to offer wet wipes manufacturers flexible filling, sealing, and capping machinery that fits their specific requirements. The ability to effectively handle a variety of packaging and products is a key advantage in the highly competitive wet wipes market. Also, delivering significant sustainability benefits and reductions in operational costs – alongside fast throughputs. That’s an unbeatable ROI.
