The Technology Excellence Awards return to PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO
The Technology Excellence Awards will return to PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO 2021 (Sept. 27-29, Las Vegas Convention Center), according to show producer PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies. The awards recognize exhibitors’ innovative technology that has not previously been shown at a PACK EXPO or Healthcare Packaging EXPO. There was a great response from exhibitors nominating innovative solutions for the awards. PMMI enlisted top professionals in the industry to review the submissions and narrow them down to three finalists in each category. “Our aim is that these awards drive the industry to keep innovating to meet the ever-growing needs of consumer-packaged goods companies,” says Laura Thompson, vice president, trade shows, PMMI. “We are excited to see all of the new technology at this year’s show and find out which company garners the most votes to win each category.” The finalists for this year’s Technology Excellence Awards are: Food/Beverage CanReseal Beverage, Canovation, Booth N-9612 High Speed Case Packer for Thermoformed Trays, Delkor Systems, Inc., Booth C-3814 KeelClip™1600, Graphic Packaging International, Booth C-2442 General Packaging Simpl-Cut®, P.E. Labellers, Booth C-3122 XPlanar Flying Motion System, Beckhoff Automation LLC, Booth SL-6149 Partbox, Schubert North America LLC, Booth SU-7651 General Processing HPP In-Bulk Technology, Hiperbaric, Booth SL-6271 Hygienic Spiral Conveyors, SideDrive Conveyor Co., an NCC Automated Systems Company, Booth SL-6127 Rocket Rack, Rocket Rack, a Unit of Robroy Industries, Booth SU-7122 Personal Care/Pharma Amcor’s AmSky™ Recycle Ready Pharma Blister Package, Amcor Healthcare Packaging, Booth SL-6631 CanReseal Personal Care / Cannabis, Canovation, Booth N-9612 Mono-material Flowpack Flexible Pouch, Zacros America, Inc., Booth SU-7955 Show attendees are encouraged to visit these companies’ booths to see the innovations live during PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO, and vote to determine the best of the best among these Technology Excellence Awards finalists. Voting is open to all attendees and will be accessible three ways: online, onsite and via the mobile app, beginning Monday, Sept. 27 at 9:00 a.m. through noon on Tuesday, Sept. 28. The Technology Excellence Awards Panelists are: Ronald Puvak, Executive Director, Contract Packaging Association Matt Reynolds, Editor, Packaging World Jane Chase, Executive Director, Institute of Packaging Professionals Tim Koers, Packaging Consultant Pat Reynolds, VP Editor Emeritus, Packaging World PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO is the only show this year covering the entire packaging and processing industry spread across four expansive convention center halls. More than 1,500 exhibitors will showcase the latest new materials, technologies, and solutions to address the packaging and processing needs of over 20,000 attendees from 40-plus vertical markets. With multiple free educational platforms and countless networking opportunities, the event will provide endless prospects for exchanging ideas and professional growth. Based on all indications to date, the majority of the industry is excited to reunite with the more than 1,500 exhibitors that will be spread across four expansive halls at the Las Vegas Convention Center. PMMI has launched a show statistics page so all participants can get the latest statistics on the show. Attendee registration numbers are updated here daily in addition to a multitude of other key indicators so everyone can see at any given time how things are progressing. View the latest show stats here. Registration, which includes access to both PACK EXPO Las Vegas and Healthcare Packaging EXPO, is $30 until Sept. 3, after which the price increases to $130. For more information and to register online, visit packexpolasvegas.com and hcpelasvegas.com.Visit the show website for information on the PACK Ready health and safety plan.
Orbis and Milwaukee World Festival Inc. partner on new sustainability efforts for Summerfest
The packaging solution provider will sponsor the recycling program as the festival’s official sustainability partner ORBIS® Corporation, an international provider in reusable supply chain packaging, is the Official Sustainability Partner of Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. (MWF), the producers of Summerfest, “The World’s Largest Music Festival.” As MWF’s Official Sustainability Partner, ORBIS will supply 130 new recycling bins to be used all season at ethnic and cultural festivals, public gatherings, concerts, and private corporate events at Henry Maier Festival Park. “Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. is excited to partner with a company that has proven expertise and a history of successfully helping companies improve their sustainability,” said Don Smiley, president and CEO of Milwaukee World Festival, Inc. “We look forward to partnering with ORBIS to increase recycling throughout the grounds and educate park visitors about recycling.” MWF maintains Henry Maier Festival Park, located on 75 acres along the shores of Lake Michigan in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Each year, the park has an average of 1.3 million visitors. This initial sponsorship represents the start of a partnership with MWF focused on sustainability and recycling. In year one, the partnership will increase recycling bins for cups, silverware, and other single-use plastic waste throughout the festival grounds. In subsequent years, MWF plans to add recycling bins and expand educational programming around recycling. “At its core, ORBIS helps its customers reduce their overall environmental impact,” said Breanna Herbert, product manager and sustainability lead at ORBIS. “We’re proud to bring our extensive recycling and sustainability knowledge to this exclusive partnership and look forward to seeing the environmental impact we’ll be able to generate through these initiatives.” Beyond this partnership, ORBIS has a strong focus on recyclability. For example, 100% of ORBIS’ core products are made with recycled content and, at the end of their service life, reusable pallets, totes, and bins can be fully recycled into other useful products. Its “Recycle with ORBIS” program is designed to efficiently recover, recycle and reprocess packaging products at the end of their service life, preventing them from entering the solid waste stream.
Fairbanks Scales announce ACC-3300 Quad Loadcell Controller
Boosting the speed, resolution, and individual load cell monitoring capabilities of Intalogix® Fairbanks Scales Inc., the oldest scale company in the U.S. in weighing equipment, just announced its new ACC-3300 Quad Loadcell Controller (QLC), designed to bring new levels of convenience, accuracy, and serviceability in a compact, space-saving design for industrial scale applications. The Intalogix® Quad Loadcell Controller (QLC) is a new analog to a digital loadcell communications device, specifically created by Fairbanks to enhance the performance of industrial floor scales, tank scales, and hopper scales. In these applications, the QLC replaces the scale’s analog junction box (internally or externally) to boost weighing resolution to levels up to 10 times greater than analog and enable the scale industry’s greatest load cell performance, monitoring, and troubleshooting capabilities. The QLC also makes servicing the scale faster and less costly by allowing the operator to recalibrate the scale. The QLC and compatible instrument can guarantee maximum accuracy out of the equipment by communicating with each load cell independently, allowing for cell-by-cell calibration. The system will also allow for real-time load cell diagnostics and identification of load cell issues. In the case of a load cell failure, the cell-addressed information allows for the immediate identification of the issue, reducing service time and improving scale uptime. If the failed load cell is in a tank weighing assembly, it can be replaced without needing to empty the tank or recalibrate the instrument. The bad cell can be replaced, and the mV/V value of the new cell can be entered at the instrument. Once that is done, the assembly will be ready to weigh accurately, regardless of the current levels in the tank. Fairbanks exclusive Intalogix® Technology for industrial applications is now faster and produces unsurpassed scale resolution, thanks to our breakthrough interface device, the Quad Loadcell Controller.
HexcelPack introduces first-ever 100% paper-based Eco-Friendly Pallet Wrapping material
Internationally-patented PalletWrap™ is cost-effective, fully recyclable, and requires no modification to existing pallet wrapping machinery HexcelPack, a developer of eco-friendly, paper-based protective cushioning solutions to replace bubble packaging and other plastic or foam-based materials, has introduced PalletWrap™, an innovative 100% paper-based pallet wrapping material. A cost-effective and sustainable shipping solution, PalletWrap™ is a fully-recyclable, plastic-free alternative to the traditional pallet wrapping material. Developed with high-tension PowerStretch™ technology designed specifically for pallet use, PalletWrap™ provides maximum protection and adhesion to ensure the integrity of goods during transport. The solution utilizes a new variation of HexcelPack’s groundbreaking slit paper technology with a unique hexagon slit pattern and eight times more rows of slits than its sister product, HexcelWrap™. This process converts extensible paper into a three-dimensional, internationally patented cushioning product by making precise cuts at specific angles. As a result, the paper product is able to stretch into shape, maximizing the strength and stiffness of its fibers, creating a much stronger wrap with the ability to nearly double in length. HexcelPack’s PalletWrap™ is compatible with certain existing automated pallet wrapping equipment and does not require major modifications or special machinery to integrate. Customers can simply add the new material to their current pallet wrapping equipment and begin using it immediately. Benefits of HexcelPack’s PalletWrap™ include: Pallet Product Protection: Engineered with PowerStretch™ technology, PalletWrap™ delivers protection and adhesion. Seamlessly integrated onto existing automated pallet machinery, the lightweight, high-stretch material quickly and easily wraps pallets prior to transport. Sustainability: Completely paper-based, PalletWrap™ is made from 100% “Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC)” Canadian Paper for exemplary sustainability and little to no impact on the environment – all while delivering protection to transport goods safely and securely. The paper used to produce PalletWrap™ is fully curbside recyclable and biodegradable. Return On Investment: Using PalletWrap™ is as impactful on the bottom line as it is on the environment. Protective, reusable as alternative packaging material, and cost-effective, the system allows retailers to expediently recoup their investment. “Developing innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable alternatives to traditional shipping solutions, without sacrificing product protection, is the core of what we do,” said Lorne Herszkowicz, Partner at HexcelPack. “Our PalletWrap™ with PowerStretch™ technology is backed by years of product development to utilize our slit-paper technology in a completely new way – providing the ideal amount of tension, protection, and adhesion needed for pallet wrapping.” HexcelPack will be demonstrating its cost-effective, sustainable wrapping products for a wide array of product shipping needs at Pack Expo 2021, Booth SU-8425 held September 27-29 in Las Vegas.
PLASTICS releases statement after Senate passes $1.2 trillion Infrastructure legislation
The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) released the following statement from president and CEO Tony Radoszewski after the U.S. Senate passed a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill: “PLASTICS applauds the Senate passage of a $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package, which includes key provisions to enhance waste management and replace aging lead pipes with plastic pipes. “The waste management provisions will enhance our nation’s recycling infrastructure as well as consumer participation. The legislation provides funding support for a recycling infrastructure grant program created by the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act, which was signed into law last year. The bill also includes language from the RECYCLE Act, which sets aside funding to increase consumer education and participation in the recycling system. “While we are encouraged by language to upgrade several aspects of our nation’s infrastructure, including water infrastructure, we are very concerned with the proposed reinstatement of Superfund Taxes, which will increase costs for consumers. As this legislative package moves forward, PLASTICS will continue to pursue opportunities to work with Members of Congress to highlight the value of plastic in rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure.”
Signode brings full slate of corrugated industry advancements to SuperCorrExpo 2021
Signode, a manufacturer of a broad spectrum of packaging, consumables, tools, software, and equipment to optimize end-of-line packaging operations and protect products in transit is highlighting the full slate of its latest solutions for the corrugated industry at SuperCorrExpo 2021 (Orlando, August 8-12, Booth #1969). “Our team is seeing box producers working to smartly and strategically increase output, ensure quality, and drive efficiency across their operations,” said Eric Christensen, SVP Packaging Technologies, Signode. “Our new technology and equipment upgrades are proving to be wise investments as both independent and integrated plants seek to maximize the value of their corrugator and FFG assets.” The Signode team of corrugated technical and service professionals will be on-site to demonstrate the operational ease, productivity gains, and positive ROI implications of the organization’s equipment and technology portfolio. Signode’s advancements are designed to help the corrugated industry meet the challenges and opportunities brought about by exploding E-commerce growth, continued rise of sustainability requirements, and ongoing need for brand and product protection. Highlights: New for 2021 – GCU 3000 corrugated unitizer The new, innovative GCU 3000 straps corrugated loads utilizing a modular head design for easy operation and maintenance. Equipped with 6 modular heads, a first in the corrugated industry, the GCU 3000 is enhanced with the flexibility of unlimited strap placement options and the reliability of redundancy for maximum throughput. The GCU 3000 features compact strap dispensers with a new space-saving footprint and quick-change coils to offer less downtime and higher throughput to maximize production lines. The GCU 3000 now uses a larger HMI control panel for easier operation, maintenance, and self-diagnostics for advanced troubleshooting and corrective actions that your operators will be able to implement swiftly and simply. Operator and maintenance training videos can be accessed directly through the HMI display. Octopus® automatic rotary ring stretch wrappers For those looking to unitize corrugated pallet loads, the Octopus lines of machinery are able to wrap up to 150 loads per hour and feature the high-speed ring-type method of wrapping. Robust design and well-balanced operation maximize efficiency and reliability. Octopus ring designs enable unlimited wrap patterns due to their ability to begin and end film cycles at any vertical point on the load, increasing flexibility and reducing film usage up to 25%. With dual film carriages, the Octopus further reduces film roll changes by 50%, significantly increasing labor savings, uptime, and overall machine efficiencies. The Octopus line of wrappers has a decade-long track record of delivering corrugated stretch-wrapping solutions across multiple industries, including food and beverage. More than 5,000 Octopus machines are in operation in nearly 100 countries. SIG-C automatic corrugated bundler This bundling solution is designed for flexo-folder corrugated products and more. The SIG-C features a fast bundle size set up and a speed of up to 32 bundles per minute. The SIG series of machines have the lowest total cost of ownership. This model is equipped with a patented low tension strap ejector to prevent issues when operating in low strap tension mode. The SIG-C has a robust design and low maintenance simplicity. All metal strap chute with minimal wear parts. Automatic strap loading and refeed technology for ultimate performance and continuous strapping. SIG-VCS Tandem automatic corrugated strapping and squaring bundler This novel system combines the power of two squaring bundlers connected with dual-zone conveyors to meet the extreme demands of modern flexo folder gluers (FFGs) with inline bundle breakers and operating at speeds up to 36 bundles per minute. Designed for corrugators and box manufacturers looking for high-speed bundling or in-line redundancy features, the new system features dual coils and auto strap changes and can be automatically taught a new bundling configuration in less than 30 seconds. The SIG-VCS Tandem uses bundle diversion technology that sends all bundles to the active bundler such as during an automatic coil change or while performing a strap refeed. Once the inactive bundler automatically comes back online the workload is again shared by both bundlers. SIG-CORR bundle strapping and squaring system The most advanced combined bundle squarer/strapper of its type currently available, SIG-CORR is a proven, reliable, and economical solution for the corrugated industry. Designed to maximize productivity, the SIG-CORR features a 6-sided automatic squaring and strapping up to 30 bundles per minute for strapping three, four, and multipoint glued boxes. Product handling guides bundle directly on the critical gluepoint line. The SIG-CORR uses a zero-damage soft-touch bundle handling Signode innovation to prevent bundle scuffing or surface marking. Multi FleX1 stretch hooding system Signode’s Multi FleX1 provides versatile, 5-sided product protection for effective load containment, now offered with an electrically operated stretch frame and electrical machine frame movement. Be it increased load stability, reduced packaging material, minimal waste, or an improved packaging solution, Signode stretch hooders offer the perfect mix between function and cost. The equipment protects products from the elements and stabilizes them for transport. The machine features a variety of film patterns, including fully closed hoods, film sleeves, short hoods, and film reinforcement capabilities to ensure maximum adaptability. Its global customers have found it ideal for cubed loads, irregular loads with protrusions, varying product shapes, and more importantly, for single-layer loads. Xeros® White stretch hood film An industry mainstay patented Xeros film ensures that loads are quickly and effectively secured and also free of contaminants and moisture. With the film’s “10-sided” (5 outside surfaces + 5 inside surfaces) waterproof protection, users can ensure their corrugated containers remain free from moisture before packing. The multi-layer film technology effectively manages sunlight to reduce condensation and creates an impermeable barrier to liquids. New Xeros White provides greater transparency to allow for more efficient barcode readability and enhanced track-and-trace capacity. BXT3 battery powered strapping tools With different operation modes, including automatic, semi-automatic, and manual along with a soft mode, the BXT3 family is the most versatile and user-friendly solution for hand-held, battery-powered PET plastic strapping. Its integrated touchscreen allows easy change of tool settings while the display provides real-time operation information and strap cycle completion. Signode packaging technology ensures
Empire Screen Printing leads Industry in sustainable production with development of UV LED Ink Curing Technology
Inspired to keep employees safe and reduce pollution, Empire works with suppliers to develop environmentally friendly press Empire Screen Printing, a nationally recognized manufacturer of screen-printed products, leads the industry in environmentally-friendly practices thanks to the UV LED ink curing technology it has pioneered over the last decade. Empire’s leadership works with suppliers throughout the industry to replace traditional solvent-based inks and mercury UV-cured inks with a more sustainable option. Developed to replace UV curing via mercury bulbs, UV LED curing technology is now used across 80% of Empire’s business. UV LED is 98% more energy efficient than traditional UV mercury curing. The combination of UV and LED in the manufacturing process doesn’t produce ozone emissions or harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs), eliminating the need for ventilation systems to cope with irritants and pollutants. The curing process uses light, instead of heat, allowing the company to print on thinner substrates and eliminate material distortion. “Now that we’ve developed this LED curing technology, we’ve learned that there is simply no downside to sustainable printing and production,” said John Freismuth, president of Empire Screen Printing. “The end product is of the same or greater quality, which, thanks to our ongoing process improvements, is exceptionally high.” With their exclusive registration system, Empire’s UV LED press holds mechanical tolerances of .001” and can hold color-to-color registration between .005” – .007”. This greatly improves efficiency in quality and lead times for customers. The UV LED ink curing technology has many advantages. The most important being this technology provides a healthy working environment for employees. Another advantage is the reduction in energy and HVAC demands on the company. The overall cost to run these presses is significantly reduced, allowing Empire to invest back into the company. “The benefits to our manufacturing process and the cost savings are great side effects to achieving our primary goal of protecting employees,” Freismuth said. “By taking steps to protect our employees, we have also managed to protect the environment and provide sustainably printed products to customers. The efficient processes we’ve developed means we can offer more environmentally-friendly products to our customers without any additional cost.”
HexcelPack develops Protective Paper-Based Wrapping System for cost-effective & sustainable product shipping
Used by the USA’s three leading retailers, HexcelWrap™ cushioning paper ensures product protection and packing simplicity, replacing environmentally harmful alternatives HexcelPack, a developer of eco-friendly, paper-based protective cushioning solutions to replace bubble wrap and other plastic or foam-based materials, has developed a cost-effective and sustainable wrapping system for a wide array of product shipping needs. Now used by the United States’ top three retailers, the company’s HexcelWrap ™ cushioning paper delivers unsurpassed product protection and packing simplicity for e-commerce, retail catalog, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical products, as well as third-party logistics (3PL) and contract packaging applications. Utilizing groundbreaking slit paper technology, HexcelPack converts extensible paper into a three-dimensional, internationally patented cushioning product by making precise cuts at specific angles. This method makes the paper “flex,” expanding its volume while maximizing the strength and stiffness of its fibers. The result is a superior cushioning product proven to outperform environmentally harmful product protection alternatives – including plastic-based bubble wraps and pillows. HexcelPack protective cushioning is easily dispensed through the company’s compact options, including a standalone and completely recyclable tabletop dispensing station. The most popular of these, the Mini Packing Station™, is an easy-to-use, human-powered dispenser requiring no electricity, zero maintenance, and a mere fraction of the tabletop space required for competing solutions. Available in both white and Kraft paper, benefits of HexcelWrap™ and the Mini Packing Station ™ include: Unsurpassed Product Protection: Engineered with Ultra Stretch™ technology, HexcelWrap™ delivers superior cushioning and product protection. Users simply stretch, wrap and tear the lightweight, interlocking material to custom lengths without the need for tape or scissors. HexcelWrap™ is ideal for shipping fragile items and reduces product damage by eliminating, among other adverse events, glass-on-glass contact during the supply chain journey. Sustainability: Completely paper-based, HexcelWrap™ cushioning paper is made of 100% Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) Canadian Paper for exemplary sustainability and little to no impact on the environment – all while delivering protection proven to outperform plastic bubble wraps and pillows. Unlike single-use plastic bubble wrap, the paper used to produce HexcelWrap™ is fully curbside recyclable and biodegradable. Return On Investment: Especially considering the fully manual, electricity- and maintenance-free nature of the Mini Packing Station™ dispenser, using HexcelWrap™ is as impactful on the bottom line as it is on the environment. Protective and cost-effective, the system allows retailers to expediently recoup their investment. “At HexcelPack, we’re passionate about developing simple, cost-effective, and sustainable packing solutions that minimize our carbon footprint without sacrificing outstanding product protection performance throughout the supply chain,” said Lorne Herszkowicz, Partner at HexcelPack. “Our paper-based solutions like HexcelWrap™ and the Mini Packing Station™ offer companies an easy way to increase packing efficiency without the need for automation, while also showcasing to end consumers that their production and logistics practices are as green as possible – a key selling point in today’s hyper-competitive e-commerce landscape.” In addition to HexcelWrap™, HexcelPack also offers void-fill products that can be used in conjunction with its wrapping products. For example, the company’s Hex-a-Fil™ is an engineered void fill that expands to 24 times its original volume. The solution is dispensed via the company’s corrugated, manually-operated Fil-in-a-Box™, which prompts the material to spiral as it comes off the roll, creating the bulk required for efficient void fill.
EP 182: Quadient at ProMatDX 2021
On this episode, I was joined by Sean Webb of Quadient at ProMatDX2021 . Sean is the Director of Automated Packaging Solutions at Quadient and joined me during the virtual event to catch up on what Quadient has been up to since the last time I spoke to them in person at MODEX 2020. Key Takeaways Quadient covers a large array of mailing services from mailroom software and postage meters to automated packaging solutions. Their automated packaging solutions are designed to help streamline your fulfillment operation and ensure that you are not losing time during the packing process. They help to keep sustaining massive throughput with up to 1,100 packages being produced per hour. With this type of throughput, you can be sure that this is a key part of your process especially with the spikes in demand due to the pandemic and the shift in consumer behavior. One of the most fascinating things about their technology is the ability to properly measure the order that is shipping out (can be multiple items at once) and how it creates the box to fit perfectly. The demo videos for ProMatDX, even show a very odd-shaped bike stand and it has no problem creating a box to fit it perfectly. Sean explains how the measurement happens while the items pass through a light curtain and they bounce off the item to create the perfect cube for it to ship in. Not only is it creating the perfect cube for your items but it is also reducing waste in packaging and helping you to maximize the utilization of the trailers you are shipping in. A few months back I got into a discussion on a post about how automated packaging can still ensure that items stay safe and will not get damaged in transit. Sean explains that items that are fragile will still need extra handling but this can happen upstream in the process or the products can be pre-packaged with sufficient protection. Once they are protected, they can still go through the automated packaging solution with no issue and be boxed accordingly. Listen to the episode below and leave a comment if you are thinking about introducing an automated packaging solution to your operation. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 182: Quadient at ProMatDX 2021
Orbis offers new storage and distribution sleeve pack
Reusable bulk packaging system reduces environmental waste ORBIS® Corporation, an international provider in reusable packaging, adds a new pallet, top-cap, and sleeve system to its suite of reusable plastic bulk solutions. The OpteBulk™ sleeve pack is designed to help efficiently store and distribute primary packaging products, including bottle preforms, caps, and closures. Ideal for both manual and automated environments, the OpteBulk system offers sustainability, transportation, and cost-saving benefits. By implementing this system, companies can reduce the environmental waste associated with single-use fiber corrugated boxes and wooden pallets in their supply chain. Since cleanliness is essential in food and beverage production, the solid, smooth pallet top deck and sealed sleeves of OpteBulk keep its contents clean from debris and do not break down with moisture like single-use solutions. “ORBIS is focused on delivering sustainable solutions that can replace fiber corrugated boxes in the primary packaging industry,” said Micah Naasz, product manager at ORBIS. “The OpteBulk’s long service life and durable construction reduce the negative environmental impact caused by alternative single-use boxes.” Benefits also come in the form of space and operational savings. The top frame and pallet nest together for secure stacking, maximizing space in tight manufacturing areas. Due to the container’s lightweight design and active latch technology, one person can easily engage and disengage the sleeves from the pallet for fast, efficient assembly. The sleeve is also collapsible and fits inside the pallet for improved return efficiency. In fact, 330 collapsed bins fit in a standard 53’ trailer, a 50% increase over alternative solutions. Maximizing truckload space not only reduces shipping costs but also reduces emissions due to fewer return trips. The container itself also has a high cubic capacity and low tare weight, allowing for more product to be shipped before weighing out a truck. This affords an increase in the number of parts handled, stored, and shipped, using fewer containers overall.
Huron Technology Corp. announces the Flattening Belt Conveyor
Huron Technology Corp. has introduced the Flattening Belt Conveyor also known as the Bag Flattener Conveyor which is ideal for optimizing end of the line production of bagged materials. The Bag Flattener automates the bag flattening process for a safer, more consistent, and controlled method of layering bagged products on pallets prior to wrapping and shipping. A pneumatically actuated adjustable airbag opening between the two inverted belt conveyors allows the Bag Flattener to manage a range of bag sizes. The Bag Flattener can process up to 12 bags per minute, ranging from 5 to 50 pounds each. The Bag Flattener is suitable for a variety of bagged materials including grains and seed, foods, and lawn and garden to concrete and insulation. The Bag Flattener is available in both horizontal and inclined models to fit a variety of application needs. Don’t let shipping damage from loose or irregular loading cut into your profits. Learn how efficiently you can prepare bagged materials for more stabilized shipping.
PLASTICS publishes highly-anticipated Guidance for Food Packaging
The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) just announced industry guidance to ensure recycled plastic packaging meets and exceeds compliance requirements to several U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations related to food-contact materials (FCM). The guidance document was developed over an extensive two-year process that combined association member companies’ unique industry insight with PLASTICS’ regulatory expertise. “As recyclers know, federal requirements for post-consumer recycled plastics usage in food-contact applications can be extremely complex,” said George Southworth, Senior Director of the PLASTICS Processors and Brand Owners Advisory Group. “This guidance document is the result of a collaborative effort with our valued members and will provide clarity in understanding and writing compliance statements for recycled material in food packaging.” “We are a company that values both community citizenship and innovations that improve customer and consumer experiences, so we’ve been actively advocating for expanding access to high quality recycled plastics,” says Phil Berrier, Product Safety & Compliance, and Analytical Services Leader at Printpack, Inc. “The guidance we created will further open supply chain collaboration for food-safe recycled materials so food packaging converters can keep up with downstream demand and brand owners can confidently promote their products.” Key elements of the guidance document address: Food Contact Status Microbiological Contamination Kosher and Halal Compliance Nanotechnology The guidance document is a product of PLASTICS’ Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Packaging Materials Committee (FDCPMC). This public policy committee is comprised of company representatives from all segments of the plastics industry, working to ensure plastic packaging protects both the product it contains and the health and safety of the end-user. The committee works to harmonize regulatory policy that also supports economic growth and global trade in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic sectors.
Timmer restructures the vacuum lifting technology segments and launches further-developed product line tim®LIFT
Hose lifters and other products redesigned Optimized ergonomics, low noise emissions, and faster delivery time Expansion of vehicle fleet for service and product demonstrations Restructuring in the vacuum lifting technology segment: The existing Timmer GmbH product portfolio has been extensively further developed and is now available in a new design as the tim®LIFT product family. The tim®LIFT products are significantly more ergonomic and quieter in operation. Moreover, customers benefit from faster delivery times, thanks to the lean processes, and the extended service offering from project planning to aftersales. In addition, Timmer is providing additional capacity for onsite product demonstrations at the customers’ facilities. tim®LIFT includes three model ranges: quickLIFT (one-hand operation up to 50 kg), lightLIFT (two-hand operation up to 50 kg) and heavyLIFT (two-hand operation up to 270 kg). “Our solutions are primarily lifting aids for employees that take the strain off the back, and thus they are an important part of a plant’s occupational health and safety. They not only help reduce absences due to illness, but they also play a crucial role in employee recruitment and employee loyalty given the growing awareness of the advantages of healthy working environments”, points out Timo Determann, Product Specialist at Timmer. The restructuring of the hose lifters is a result of the continuous optimization process of our own product portfolio. In this regard, further development, as well as a long-term expansion of the entire vacuum lifting technology segment, are consistently in line with customer needs. To gain a precise picture of the requirements and desires in the plants, Timmer conducted an extensive market analysis and multiple customer surveys. The new tim®LIFT product family meets the desires for greater ergonomics and lower noise emissions through key optimizations in the product design. “A lot of technological know-how and experience has been incorporated in the development so that we can offer our customers products that are even more viable for the future”, states Determann. Customers are getting hose lifters that are not only convenient and easy to operate, they also reduce noise emissions by as much as 30 percent. Thanks to in-house production Timmer streamlines its process chains and is working even more closely with its suppliers. This considerably reduces delivery times. “Thanks to faster delivery of our hose lifters, we offer our customers the possibility of compensating for illness-related effects – for example when an employee can no longer execute lifting tasks on his own”, emphasizes Determann. Service expansion and customer-specific special solutions As part of the restructuring Timmer is expanding its service capacity and thus is reducing the response time for customer inquiries. A fixed contact person is available to the customer from project inception until delivery. In addition, Timmer offers extensive aftersales services. Along with the maintenance of our own systems and external systems, this also includes assistance for all relevant safety tests. Moreover, the company is expanding its vehicle fleet for product demonstrations, so that customers can flexibly test the devices in their own company facilities. Among the great advantages offered by Timmer are customer-specific special vacuum lifting technology solutions, such as rotary pallet lifters or systems for particularly heavy loads weighing more than 5 tonnes. Through the restructuring, this area will also be significantly strengthened and expanded so that specific solutions can be implemented more quickly. Determann emphasizes the high flexibility and solution competence of the company: “Basically we are only limited by the laws of physics – everything else we can map in our own design,”
Harpak-ULMA Bolsters case-ready Packaging Program
COVID-19 accelerates long-term shift towards omnichannel grocery sales Harpak-ULMA just announced its increased investment in Case-ready programs to support the strong and continued growing emphasis, fueled by grocery industry shifts due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on case-ready fresh food packaging. The initiative will focus on new planning, resources, and commitments to deliver the technological innovation, customer service, and end-to-end packaging solutions required to improve both value and bottom-line performance for producers of case-ready meat, poultry, and seafood. In addition, Jay Siers, an industry veteran with 35 years of case-ready experience, has been appointed to the new position of Case-Ready Specialist to execute the new initiative. “The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the long-term shift towards omnichannel grocery sales, placing increased market pressures and demand on producers of case-ready fresh meats — which is portioned and packaged at a central processing facility rather than inside the retail store. COVID-19 continues to reshape the landscape, challenging food producers, grocery retailers, and consumers,” said Jerry Rundle, Harpak-ULMA vice president of sales. “Case-ready producers need flexible packaging lines that deliver a better bang for the buck – and there is no OEM better positioned to deliver on this than Harpak-ULMA,” Rundle said. “Customers seeking to pivot their packaging strategy in response to market changes benefit from more flexible packaging solutions. Our expertise in that arena delivers them tangible savings, in both time and money.” The Case-Ready Challenge For producers, case-ready meat, poultry, and seafood packaging can help offset supply and demand uncertainties associated with perishables distribution models that are traditionally built around just-in-time inventories. Case-ready packaging minimizes handling and maximizes fresh foods shelf life by enabling modified atmosphere, vacuum, and active or intelligent packaging techniques. Both producers and retailers experienced significant difficulties when faced with the COVID-driven pivot from food service to retail channels. Grocers with the capability to process primal cuts were forced to assume more backroom product handling, including unpackaging, hand-cutting, and repackaging fresh products — all of which consumes time, requires expertise, and increases waste. Pre-packaged fresh meat, poultry, and seafood products are a convenient solution that allows retailers to offer consumers more variety in improved packaging, cut down on labor, and eliminate the risk of creating waste while trimming and portioning. As the Case-ready supply chain constricted, larger retailers with economic clout were able to procure some supplies, but many simply went without product. COVID also heightened consumers’ food-safety sensitivity: case-ready packaging reduces the number of human hands in contact with the product. While the pandemic shifted demand away from foodservice, e-commerce, and grocery deliveries surged – both sales channels benefit from case-ready packaging. Case-ready packaging plays an outsized role in the online shopping experience for protein products, offering more consistent weights and better product protection during shipping. Consumers enjoy improved product visibility and tamper and leak-proof packages that are easily stackable in refrigerators and freezers. Case-ready packaging also allows for more precise control of product aging, enhancing the consumer eating experience for beef products. Jay Siers, Case-Ready Specialist “Jay Siers’ appointment as Case-Ready Specialist brings 35 years of case-ready experience and a unique skill set that will strengthen our presence in the case-ready market,” Rundle said. Siers joins Harpak-ULMA from a position as North American Sales Manager with FPEC Corp. There, he was responsible for beef and pork system sales in North America as well as select multi-national accounts. Siers will lead the establishment of a presence for Harpak-ULMA in Omaha, Nebraska, which has a long history in the fresh meat markets, and said his appointment with the company “where customer-driven innovation is paramount” is the capstone of his 35-year industry experience. Siers added, “Companies that take the time to get to know their customer’s products make better recommendations and that builds trust. I’m also aware of customers that credit HARPAK-ULMA for bringing them new packaging ideas and technologies they hadn’t previously considered. That’s more important than ever. Our industry is facing an onslaught of challenges ranging from managing labor turnover, a gating factor for growth, to implementing digital transformation improvements accelerated by the effects of a worldwide pandemic. I’m looking forward to leveraging advanced technologies from Augmented Reality to smart connected machines to bring case-ready producers to the next level of production efficiencies,” Siers said.
RAVAS launches new and innovative website
On February 22, 2021, RAVAS launches a new and innovative website with one of the main priorities around enhancing its experience and improving digital development. The worldwide manufacturer of mobile weighing systems has redesigned all website areas from internal systems to the latest news and projects surrounding RAVAS. The new website, which is live today, is intended to educate, inform, and provide applicable products for internal and external stakeholders. Enable Digital A digital environment enables us to work more efficiently and create intelligence in the process, which is crucial to our ambitions as we grow during the upcoming years in our current global market. The new RAVAS website encompasses many important pillars: Products translated into solutions Data communication tools And service products The extensive product pages show the complete range of mobile weighing systems and provide case study examples of RAVAS products. However, the solutions are the pillar that matters. Discover our vast list of solutions, such as Pick by Weight and Measure in Motion, which gives our customers a specific package of products, tools, and services that offer a particular solution for every logistical and industrial sector or application. Each solution includes all the sources needed to enhance your material handling situation while including data communication to TMS, WMS, or ERP business systems. Creating Intelligence During the upcoming period, new functionalities will be added gradually to the website to make it easier to find the right mobile weighing system, the best data communication solution, and to order service products. These ongoing functionalities are the next step in creating intelligence. Charlotte Maassen, Marketing & Communications Manager at RAVAS, explains: “The RAVAS mission statement is Creating Intelligence. We believe this applies to our smart mobile weighing solutions and the complete range of services around them and how we work and re-invent ourselves every day. Creating Intelligence is what we stand for, and we want to contribute to the optimization of supply chains and production processes worldwide.” Due to the international character of RAVAS as an organization, the new website has been launched in nine languages.
Brown Machine Group announces NAS® e-Wrap Series™ Vertical Wrapper
Brown Machine Group (BMG) just announced the new NAS e-Wrap Series™ vertical wrapper, an automated wrapping system that increases throughput and efficiencies while reducing material costs and manual labor. The e-Wrap Series™ wrappers are ideal for a wide array of e-commerce markets, including apparel; office equipment/supplies; tool and part suppliers; and publications; as well as the sampling industry; pharmaceuticals; and fulfillment markets. The NAS e-Wrap Series™ offers up to seven times the productivity of manual wrapping systems. With its small footprint and user-friendly controls, the e-Wrap Series™ offers simple plug and play functionality with easy installation and a patented low-temperature sealing system that reduces maintenance and downtime. Using center folded roll stock to sleeve product into a bag, the e-Wrap Series™ automatically forms an envelope for the product to be placed, seals it, and applies a shipping label. It can be used for sealing polyethylene, polyolefin, and poly mailing. The e-Wrap Series ™ features a unique auto bag length feature that saves significantly on material use and eliminates the need for pre-made bags. The e-Wrap Series™ is adaptable to multiple warehouse management systems (WMS) and can be easily integrated into existing automated robotic conveyor systems. It also provides integrated printer and shipping labeling functions in one complete package. Available in a variety of seal assembly configurations to make bags from 8-inches by 10-inches to 20-inches x 20-inches, the NAS e-Wrap Series™ vertical wrapper features an adjustable seal assembly opening of up to 12 inches. It is offered in both pneumatic and servo-driven operations. Brown Machine Group application experts work with customers to tailor the e-Wrap Series™ for their specific needs with a range of options, including custom-designed in-feeds; custom-designed discharge systems; Venturi scrap starter system; Print registration; Servo film feed; Easy-open perforated bags; and more.
Quantum Storage Systems develops Airport Security Nesting bins
Quantum Storage Systems has recently announced the development of their Airport Security Nesting Bins. These polypropylene bins are engineered for rigorous and continuous usage. These bins are often seen used at airport security stations, being loaded and unloaded with personal items that run through airport x-ray machines. The ergonomic built-in handles are designed for easy and comfortable griping. The bins are dishwasher safe and easy to clean with just soap and water. The bins are available in two sizes and are available in Black, Blue, Brown, and Gray. A lid for the FSB-20155R bin can be purchased separately. Bin Model FSB-20155R: 20” x 15” x 5” Bin Model FSB-22177R: 21-1/2” x 17” x 7” Lid Model FSB-L2216 Fits the FSB-20155R only
Reusable Packaging Association announces new Board Leadership for 2021
The Reusable Packaging Association (RPA) begins in 2021 with new executive committee members and additions to its board of directors. After serving his term as chairman of the board, Michael Wasson, chief operating officer, Tosca, has passed the gavel to 2020 Vice Chairman Ben Stoller, executive managing member and global CEO, Paxxal Group. Chairman Stoller will begin his term at the annual board of directors meeting held virtually on January 21st. “RPA and its members are deeply grateful for Mike Wasson’s leadership and service to the industry,” said Chairman Stoller. “It’s a very exciting time to take this position as the world renews its call for sustainable packaging solutions. Reusable packaging is growing in use and popularity as manufacturers, retailers, and consumers recognize the inarguable value of waste prevention as a leading principle in a circular economy. Thanks to industry leaders like Mike and our member companies, RPA continues to strengthen its position as the voice for reusable packaging, raising awareness of the advantages of our industry’s packaging solutions when it comes to the transport and distribution of products across the supply chain.” Looking ahead in 2021, Chairman Stoller placed emphasis on the important role RPA plays as a resource for all industries as they evaluate transport packaging options particularly in the age of COVID-19 where the bar for supply chain agility and resilience has been set at new heights. “Due to the global pandemic and subsequent economic shutdowns, the supply chains across all industries are experiencing one of the most disruptive periods in modern history. Frankly, the response has been remarkable as the reusable packaging industry and our customers adapted, sometimes on the fly, to heightened demands for hygiene, security, worker safety, and unprecedented changes in distribution processes. Through it all, the reusable packaging industry has continued to satisfy needs across the supply chain in terms of product protection, cost savings, sustainability, and ultimately, customer confidence,” said Stoller. “Among my primary objectives as chairman is to ensure the RPA leads the conversation on how reusable packaging systems meet shifting supply chain requirements and offer new advantages in an increasingly automated and technology-enabled world,” he added. Other changes to the RPA executive committee include the appointment of Kevin Mazula, CEO, RM2, to the role of vice-chairman and Samantha Goetz, marketing communications manager, ORBIS, to secretary-treasurer. Mazula previously served as the organization’s secretary-treasurer and Goetz served as a member of the RPA board. “Adding the talent and experience of Kevin and Samantha to the executive committee will no doubt contribute to RPA’s leadership in the industry and on behalf of Association members,” Stoller noted. The annual RPA election also resulted in four new board members and three returning directors starting a two-year term (2021-2022). They are: Graham Connor, senior vice president, sales and customer support, iGPS Logistics Aubree Duncan, director of food safety, Tosca Paul Kamholz, vice president, sales and marketing, Schoeller Allibert Leslie LeMair, vice president, sales and marketing, Georg Utz Andy Schumacher, vice president, packaging systems division, SSI Schaefer Bryan Tate, vice president, product and category development, IFCO Systems Ben Waterman, manager, business development, Monoflo International These elected directors will join the following members who are serving the second year of their term: Morten Bielefeldt, senior vice president, sales and services, Bruel Systems Brandon D’Emidio, director, marketing and product management, CHEP Axel Breitkreuz, president, Craemer US Corp Joe O’Connor, supply chain process change manager, Kroger Company Holly Maher, director emerging markets, Rehrig Pacific Company Shawn Stockman, director business solutions, OnePak, Inc. David Kruger, president, TriEnda Corporation Commenting on the announcement, RPA President and CEO Tim Debus said, “I want to congratulate the new members of our executive committee and board of directors on accepting these important leadership roles. The reusable packaging industry is fortunate to have this high-caliber, diverse group lead our trade association in representing the broad interests and common objectives of member companies across the spectrum of reuse. RPA is set to expand our advocacy for reuse in 2021 thanks to the leadership of our board and participation from our members.”
Harpak-ULMA machines top 1B+ in refrigerated snack tray packages annually
The company’s packaging solutions now account for over 50% of production in this profitable NA food market segment Harpak-ULMA has announced that its packaging lines are now responsible for producing over 1 billion refrigerated snack tray packages each year in the US and Canada. The company estimates the region’s market production in this profitable food industry subsegment at 2 billion snack tray packages per year and growing at a CAGR of 7%-9% annually. Snacking has been replacing meals as a convenient and healthy option, driving the evolution from child-focused snack kits to premium charcuterie meats and cheeses or smaller do-it-yourself salad kits. Jim Ryan, Harpak-ULMAs’ SVP, believes the market will continue its trend towards more savory snacks as consumer interest in healthier, more convenient options persists. He noted that consumers appear to increasingly prefer snacks that deliver more satiation and fullness, which is often associated with full, savory foods such as cheese and meats. “We’ve been instrumental in helping many of the country’s major producers gain a substantial foothold in this growing market subsegment,” says Ryan. “We help them leverage legacy lower-margin products into high-margin opportunities through innovative and cost-effective high-speed tray packaging.” Carlo Bergonzi, the company’s Product Line Manager for this segment, believes Harpak-ULMA’s deep knowledge of the necessary components and ability to integrate them in a high-speed automatic solution proved crucial to their first successful and highly competitive snack tray line design years ago. “When you combine that experience with the breadth of equipment we’re able to supply – the Mondini Platformer that makes trays, thermoformers, and ULMA’s secondary or tertiary end of line packaging automation equipment – it’s clear we can offer a turnkey approach to automatic tray packaging lines. At this point, we’re experts at helping producers – as well as co-packers – get into the high-speed, high-volume tray snacking business,” said Bergonzi. US and Canadian food processors have collectively installed over 50 Harpak-ULMA lines for the production of refrigerated snack trays. The company’s reputation as the market leader for refrigerated snack tray packaging has been built steadily over the last decade, helped by a hyper-focus on meat and cheese as one of its core packaging markets. The recent introduction of Mondini’s Platformer has built on that success. The Platformer allows producers to make their own custom trays rather than using preformed trays. The process eliminates up to 38% of the material cost associated with preformed trays and makes it even easier for producers to compete effectively in new markets with differentiated packaging at highly competitive costs. Kevin Roach, CEO of Harpak-ULMA, explained that this achievement is an important milestone in the company’s growth. His vision emphasizes a customer-centric culture capable of delivering complete solutions, from package and automation design through commissioning and support of the entire automated packaging line. “Food producers and co-packers who have pivoted their product strategy to diversify into the high-speed, high-volume tray snacking have turned to Harpak-ULMA because of our deep knowledge and turnkey approach. Our most successful customers are accessing new and growing markets, enjoying better total cost of ownership, and raising productivity by leveraging innovative, emerging digital technologies — and relying on our team to help them achieve these,” Roach said. “But the real secret sauce is building our culture around customer-centricity. We reinforce the need to see our solutions through the customer’s eyes – and that means finding ways to help them grow and expand their business.”
Episode 144 – Packsize
In this episode, I was joined by Hanko Kiessner who is the CEO and Founder of Packsize. He has built a company that is focused on reducing packaging waste in the supply chain. Packsize provides equipment that helps your operation use the right size packaging and reduces waste significantly. We discuss how Packsize got started, the mission of Packsize, and packaging as a service. Key Takeaways Packsize is a provider of right-sized packaging solutions that provides operations with a way to reduce packaging waste, save on costs, help the environment and provide a better customer experience. With 24 million truckloads of packaging waste shipping every year, this is a huge issue that needs to be addressed and Packsize was founded based on the idea of eliminating this waste. Hanko has helped to build the company up so that the Packsize solutions can fit into your operation and not only help you package your shipments better but also improve your operational flow. Hanko comes from a family of packaging companies which led to him coming up with Packsize. Working at his father’s company he recognized the gap in the supply chain where the packaging was standardized but order sizes were not. Since the order size depends on the customer and can be unpredictable he wanted to see how can packaging be customized to the order. That is how Packsize was developed and it has grown to now become a fully automated solution that can package up to 1,000 packages an hour. The big mission behind Packsize is sustainability and reducing the overall packaging waste that we, as consumers, create. With their solution, you are able to reduce the amount of filler you need for packaging which is typically not very friendly to the environment. Since the packaging is customized to the order it only uses the exact amount of corrugate needed which allows you to automatically reduce that waste. There are many benefits to this that are not only good for the environment but also for overall costs and customer experience. To help customers adopt these solutions more easily, Packsize has a unique business model called packaging as a service. We have discussed software as a service and hardware as a service but now we have packaging as a service. This works by Packsize providing you with a machine that suits your operation at no cost. Packsize provides the corrugate for the machine and that is how they make their money. Hanko discusses how this helps companies make a quicker decision on adapting their solutions and also to realize ROI with Packsize almost immediately. Listen to the episode below and let us know if you plan to start packing right in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 144: Packsize