Automated Packaging Systems
Should your fulfillment center explore this option?
E-commerce isn’t slowing down, a limited labor market is creating more pain points in current market conditions, and customers have increasing expectations such as 2-day shipping. The solution your competitors, like Amazon, are already turning to is automated packaging systems.
Both businesses that manage packaging in-house, as well as those that utilize third-party logistics, have the option to adopt full-stack packaging automation solutions or address individual packaging tasks. There are machines to measure, construct, seal, weigh, and label each order in a custom-fit parcel in a matter of seconds using only one operator.
Automating individual packaging tasks could be addressing void filling, pallet wrapping, and labeling. The better you understand your needs, the more cost-effective a packaging automation solution will be.
Benefits of automated packaging systems:
- Reduce overall costs
- Minimize inventory and errors
- Combat labor shortage
- Increase production
- Streamline and speed up fulfillment
- Create a safer working environment
- Improve flexibility
- Reduce environmental impact
- Provide competitive edge
Robotics reduce costs and streamline production as they are tireless and require minimal maintenance. Think about it, machines don’t need any sick days or health insurance.
The technology and precise programming will leave you feeling confident that the end product is at a consistently high standard. A robot arm can work at high speeds for at least 70,000 hours before requiring maintenance.
Eliminating void fillers can come with some additional benefits such as less plastic, less weight, and less waste. Businesses concerned with their environmental impact will find less waste is a huge win.
Pitfalls to consider:
There are many different automated packaging systems available. The key is to choose the one that best suits the needs of your company. Some businesses may benefit from smaller-scale automation that manages only a single task or individual step in the packaging process. Because human labor is typically the largest expense in a packaging operation, identifying high-cost manual tasks that can be automated is often the first step in determining which solutions will provide the greatest return on investment.
Automation or robotic technology can be designed perfectly for a business, but implementation from humans is key. Production capabilities are limited unless end users understand and appreciate the technology.
While automated packaging systems may not be right for every situation, reluctance to consider using them greatly limits the potential of a business that relies on packaging. Ask yourself if you have another option to address paint points while meeting the expectations of your customers in this economy.
Before investing:
- Research the automated packaging solutions in the market. While systems may look similar, there are big differences to take note of. Be sure you find the solution that best fits the demands and needs of both your product and your customers.
- See the machine in action. Videos and photos are a great place to start, but seeing a system in action with your own eyes is invaluable. You can gain a wealth of knowledge by visiting with a warehouse manager and staff who use the machines daily. They can give you real-time feedback on exactly how the automated packaging systems helped streamline production.
- Complete a return on investment analysis. Decipher how long it will be until you receive a return on investment after installing an automated packaging solution in your warehouse or distribution center. This includes reviewing labor and shipping material costs as well as the time it takes to manually package each order. Some businesses have found it has taken them as little as six months to receive a full return on investment post-installation of these innovative machines.