Two of the best reasons to switch to packaging automation are increased production and decreased expenses. Consider this, when using packaging automation, you’re using fewer materials, which ensures a more effective application and removes the human error element of packaging.

Sound good, but don't know where to start?

First off, the solution needs to be attainable and easy to upgrade. Eventually your market will grow so you’ll want to be capable of running future products at the future speed to meet those demands. This also enables your operators to quickly adapt and change to new products, therefore spending less time on training.

Secondly, remember that these are machines and will, of course, need to be maintained. Creating a plan to minimize downtime and maximize utilization ahead of time is wise. Lastly, to perform at high efficiency, machines need to use high quality and consistent materials. It’s prudent to make sure the materials that you use play a critical role in your machine’s functioning.

Companies that have implemented equipment and automation typically experience some pretty big business benefits, including:

Increasing Quality Work

Now you may be wondering: Why not just stick to my same processes and buy better supplies?

This is because it's not only about product quality, though that is undoubtedly a critical factor when looking at automation. Moreover, manual labor can seem like an inexpensive alternative rather than purchasing expensive packaging equipment to better your process. However, it's purely impractical to assume people will produce the same quality, consistent results as a packaging machine.

It may cost more upfront but the life cycle will surely benefit.

Although you may have the best resources and employees that work hard to get the task done to the extent each is capable of; after a while they will become drained, need a break, and produce less qualified work. Whereas packaging equipment possesses the ability to perform the same job time and time again without degrading quality or slowing speed.

Saving Time and Advancing Dedicated Employees

Studies show by switching to automated production, time savings can shift from 3 cases per minute to 27 cases consistently and without damage, and one person can hand seal about 10 cases per minute where packaging equipment can seal nearly 40 uniform cases or 20 random cases per minute.

Switching over to packaging automation doesn’t necessarily mean laying off an entire workforce though. The possibility of leveraging employee experience and insight by reallocating their roles to existing or expanding areas of your business can be an effective alternative. Employees eager about the prospect of more engaging ways to contribute while packaging automation is implemented are more common than you’d think.

Improving Safety

Automation will also improve worker safety. Many of today’s automated production devices keep workers a safe distance from the more hazardous areas of work, as well as from the dangerous work itself. Someone will still need to manage the equipment, but the actual hands-on work is left to the machine, which protects the health and safety of workers while saving you the direct and indirect costs of an on-site worker injury.

Companies with cost and quality in mind are now considering the benefits of implementing a packaging automation system and its effects on ROIs. Increasing production and decreasing expenses are attainable through the process of packaging automation.