A successful business' packaging automation process and supply chain is one that is streamlined and eliminates errors.

Packaging automation is often overlooked because it seems like a minor part of the overall supply chain, however, this is one of the main reasons why there is so much room for error. The packaging of a product is essentially its vessel, ensuring its safe arrival to a customer; however, there are a number of ways in which a product can be compromised between production and distribution.

Physical damage can occur in the transportation of the item if it is not moved properly or if the product is not appropriately secured. Even if the package allows the product to be transported successfully, depending on the nature of the product, there may be additional factors to consider while packaging.  If the product is electrical and/or medical in nature, the requirements of the packaging process will vary to accommodate for other factors such as moisture and/or contamination control.

Packaging automation decreases unwelcome inconsistencies

There are a multitude of solutions to prevent these kinds of compromises from occurring, many of which incorporate automation. Automation, at its core, simply involves utilizing technology to complete tasks that would otherwise be left to humans. Naturally, It stands to reason that this packaging automation improves the precision at which people can complete tasks while at the same time increasing speed.

Packaging Digest examines how automation techniques are working to prevent contamination when packaging within the food industry. To the benefit of all persons with food allergies, technological advances in automation specifically allow cleanliness and the consistency of each batch of product to be documented. In addition, one will find when researching the food industry, poly manufacturers will document certain films such as the poly bags and shrink films used to package the products specifically as "FDA approved" for food usage.

While packaging automation, at its core, simply involves utilizing technology to complete tasks that would otherwise be left to humans, it's the resulting precision and speed that quickly lead to quantifiable ROI through damage prevention and labor savings.

By being able to identify stages in the packaging process where there are possibilities of contamination, companies can implement systems that work to address these issues. Because products are unique, the packaging process of each product will be unique - even within an industry as specific as the food industry. The news source explains that knowledge as well as prevention of cross contamination continuously grows through these processes.

Packaging automation increases proficiency

There are other ways in which packaging can help optimize the supply chain as well - one of which being through increased speed. A person could be extremely fast in their packaging of goods, however, at the end of the day they are not going to compete with the accuracy and speed of a machine. Packaging World examines the case study of one cleaning services company that automated almost all of its processes except for their packaging process. When the company went to examine its supply chain, it was distinct where the kink in production speed was positioned... in the packaging process.

The news source explains that production bottle necked after the linens were cleaned, ironed and pressed because they had their employees manually packaging each product. To correct these issues management sought out the services of a packaging solutions company that helped automate the process through the use of a shrink film machine tailored to their specific application. In additional to increasing the proficiency of the company, the shrink film machine eliminated excessive shrink film usage, perfected the presentation of the product and streamlined their process. Ultimately, the automation removed external factors that could get in the way of the successful delivery of product by consistently producing a finished product quickly and precisely.

Be it an allergen or a lull in production, automation works to streamline the supply chain.