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April 11, 2024
Downtime: the archnemesis of uptime. When your packaging and shipping department experiences downtime, it can bring your entire operations to a screeching halt. This, in turn, results in prolonged deliveries, customer dissatisfaction, and a significant loss to your bottom line.
Packaging downtime is an unfortunate inevitability for any company. However, there are several ways you can minimize downtime so your business can perform at the optimum level. In this highly functional article, we will cover four ways you can keep packaging downtime at bay.
Practice Preventive Maintenance
A common phrase you’ll hear in health care is “prevention is better than cure”. The same principle applies to your company’s packaging operations: preventing downtime is a lot easier—and cheaper—than resolving it.
Like with any machinery, your packaging equipment can only run continuously for so long before they start to develop problems. And if you’ve got older equipment, they’ll develop their problems sooner than later. To combat this, schedule inspections on a weekly to monthly basis to examine the condition of your equipment.
Make sure you also set up comprehensive maintenance checklists so that each and every component of your equipment is verified to be in top working order. At the same time, make sure your maintenance team is given enough time to thoroughly check over the machines and provide detailed records of their maintenance checks.
Measure Optimum Output During Uptime
You may learn more from your failures than your successes, but your successes still provide some worthy insight into how your operations should function. When your packaging and shipping operations are running smoothly, develop some key performance indicators (KPIs) and take measurements on how things are performing.
When developing your KPIs, ask yourself the essential questions: how many packages or pallets are shipped out an hour, or a day? How long does it take for an item to go through the entire packaging department? Are there any areas or systems that can be improved to increase your output?
With a solid set of KPIs and careful measurement of your operations, you can determine what optimal output looks like so that when downtime strikes, you’ll notice it immediately and then determine the source of the downtime more easily.
Have Spare Parts Stocked Up
Even the best-made plans can go awry. Machine parts, especially those in constant motion, will wear down over time. These old and faulty parts will impair the machine’s performance, or worse, break it. When your parts are well past their prime, they need to be replaced.
A stockpile of spare parts can be a lifesaver in moments of downtime. Thankfully, most manufacturers of industrial equipment are more than willing to sell replacement parts for their machines. Just make sure you have the manual or reference guide with parts numbers at the ready so that you can request the right parts.
Plan Your Budget for Upgrades
Nothing lasts forever, especially not industrial machinery. When your packaging equipment reaches the end of its operational lifespan, it needs to be replaced. However, industrial equipment can be incredibly expensive and perhaps unfeasible if you cannot budget for it.
If maintenance discovers that a piece of equipment is on its way out during a routine maintenance inspection, or the equipment is getting close to the manufacturer’s recommended lifespan, plan early for expensive upgrades. At the beginning of the fiscal year, set aside a percentage of the yearly budget to go exclusively to upgrades and repairs.
A new piece of industrial equipment can be costly, but a critical failure will be costlier.
Cut Down Your Downtime
Life comes with three guarantees: death, taxes, and downtime. Even the world’s most successful businesses, like Amazon, Apple, and General Motors, will encounter packaging downtime that can stop operations in their tracks. The name of the game isn’t making sure you never have downtime—it’s keeping downtime to an absolute minimum.
Preventative maintenance and spare parts are crucial for addressing downtime in the heat of the moment. At the same time, taking measurements during uptime and planning for upgrades can go a long way toward staving off future downtime as much as possible. Your ability to handle downtime all comes down to how prepared you are for it.
For further reading on managing your packaging operations, be sure to check out our article on why you may need to improve your operations with a stretch wrap machine.
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January 07, 2019
It is important to understand the temperature limits of your Packaging Material when it comes to packing hot or cold items in a specific form. While many times it is a matter of confusion whether a foam container is safe to go into the microwave or the oven-safe container is safe to be kept in the freezer, here is a helpful guide to understand the temperature limits of your packaging containers.
Polystyrene (Foam) Cups, Containers, and Dinnerware
Foam characterizes excellent insulation properties and also has thermal resistance to some extent which makes it fairly applicable to both hot as well as cold foods. It keeps hot foods hot and cold foods stay cold in a foamed polystyrene container. Polystyrene is a sustainable packaging material that is also popular for its versatility and affordability.
Polypropylene Containers
Polypropylene is the best choice of material when it comes to microwave safe packaging. As the material offers high resistance to heat, it does not get warped in the microwave. PP is now accepted by curbside recycling programs too.
PET
PET is a solid plastic that is most often used in the bottling of water and soda. The versatile substrate is widely accepted by municipality curbside recycling programs. IT comes in two variants - APET & CPET. APET is known to enhance the shelf life of food products with an expiry date. APET is a perfect choice for confectionery items, cookies, pastries, natural snacks, cold drinks and more such items. CPET is a crystallized form of PET that has the capacity of withstanding very high and extremely low temperatures. So, this material can be safely used in the microwave and even in the freezer as it withstands temperatures of up to 400°F.
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December 11, 2018
Flexible packaging is being talked about a lot these days, and for good reason. Manufacturers, marketers and even consumers are promoting the use of flexible packaging. The idea of flexible packaging not only serves the mobile consumer's needs but also reduces the environmental impact caused by waste of expired items on the shelves and that results from frequent freight shipments.
SELECTING THE RIGHT FLEXIBLE PACKAGING
Before you investigate the types of flexible packaging materials, it is important to consider the following pointers:
- Type of product
- Product shape, weight and dimensions
- The packaging mechanism
- Handling frequency & exposure to environment
Discuss the above parameters in detail before you move to selecting the right packaging material.
Polyolefin (POF)
This packaging material is versatile, durable and FDA approved. With high level of puncture resistance and seal strength this can be used to pack irregularly shaped items with ease. POF is 100% recyclable which is an added advantage and the POF shrink films offer ultimate clarity to make your product safely packed while being clearly visible. The pre-perforated film variety is often used in the packing of games, toys, foods, books, etc. where visibility is important.
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
Also known as polyethylene high-density (PEHD), this is a polyethylene thermoplastic that is made from petroleum and is highly versatile. The packaging material is commonly used for packaging plastic lumber, corrosion-resistant piping, plastic bottles, etc. It is also used in the manufacture of almost anything from hard hats to jugs. The material finds use in heavy-duty Stretch Wrapping needs such as bundling farm produce as it is extremely breathable to be able to maintain the freshness of the products.
Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
As the name suggests, LDPE has a lower density. It is highly resistant to moisture, impact and chemicals. Therefore, LDPE is highly used in applications that require heat sealing as well as in the manufacture of wires, cables, flexible lids and bottles.
Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE)
The most flexible of the polyethylene films, the LLDPE is very commonly used in the packaging industry. A blended form of LDPE, this material is just perfect for stretching and is commonly used to protect heavy loads during transit.
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET, PETE)
Clear and tough, the PET possesses good moisture barrier properties. It is globally recognized for its strength, flexibility and 100% recyclability. It takes a new life when recycled. PET is extremely lightweight and is commonly used in plastic beverage bottles for water, soft drinks, and the similar and is a common element found in food jars containing jams, pickles, peanut butter, etc. PET is also safe to use in the manufacture of microwave-safe appliances.
Polypropylene (PP)
Polypropylene is a thermoplastic "addition polymer" with a high melting point that makes it a good choice for hot-fill liquids. PP is a material that is used in the packaging, electrical, automotive and construction industries while also being widely in household applications. It is often used in combination with polyethylene as an outer layer in multi-layer pouches.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC, Vinyl)
The flexible and lightweight PVC helps packaging maintain the integrity of products packed within, including medicines. The PVC is largely used in variety of application in construction industries as well as electronics, healthcare, automobile sectors. It is largely used in blister packs, blood bags, cable insulation, etc.
The list is large, and it is wise to use the right flexible packaging material for your products considering whether high melting point, recycling or durability is your primary requirement. It is always better to perform research and multi-layer testing of your packaging to ensure a Packaging that fulfills its purpose well while also appealing consumers' interests.
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December 03, 2018
Clear, crisp, and even tamper-proof bagging has ever been the need for reliable packaging solutions. However safe the packaging material is, you also need to ensure that you are equipped with the proper packaging machinery. Enter the new and innovatively designed industrial bag closing machine.
Hamer-Fischbein has introduced a next-generation fully automated bagging solution. This machinery delivers consistent hanging, opening, positioning, and transferring of open-mouth bags with robotic intervention that confirms increase in production capacity while delivering reliable performance.
The Hamer-Fischbein bagging solutions have revolutionized the way packages are formed, filled and sealed. They have accumulated experience from over 40 years to invent a fully automated bagging solution that withstand dusty products to produce clean and reliable seals. The huge horizontal machines are crafted to be easily used by anyone who has no experience working with them and they are easy to maintain.
With the high speed and reliability of Hamer-Fischbein, the horizontal form, fill and seal machines are widely used in the industry in varied applications such as sand, compost, stones, cement, fertilizers, chemicals, metal oxides and dry solids. Their new FFS (form, fill and seal) machine - Model 3100 FFS is specially designed for concrete and specific needs of the market while The Model 2090 FFS is the perfect bagging solution for the wood pallet industry.
Fischbein has been innovating and successfully bringing to market efficient and productivity-oriented bagging solutions that have satisfied a large sector of the industry till date. Packaging innovations have found a breeding ground with the research team of Hamer & Fischbein. We keep looking forward to such scientifically tested and performance-efficient Packaging Solutions that save both man-hours as well as man-efforts.
The Hamer-Fischbein team has introduced many other bagging solutions including bag sewing & sealing machines, Filling & weighing machines, and robotic palletizing machines that have taken bagging equipment to a new horizon.
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November 19, 2018
Packaging manufactured products are important, and businesses look forward to using equipment that has the latest technology. To stay ahead of the competition and make a unique stand in the market, smart packaging of products is the ultimate solution. It requires a hefty investment and striking a balance between investing in smart packaging equipment and maintaining an optimum cashflow becomes a challenge.
Financing for your Packaging Supplies machinery is surely the best option. There are financing strategies available for smart packaging machinery which can be highly beneficial for companies to enhance their packaging methods while also preserving cash for the tough times.
Upgrade Now, There Is No Perfect Time
When thinking of installing a smart packaging system, it would be worth considering upgrading and expanding your production process. Even small modifications can make a large impact. Companies need to focus on finding an efficient way to reduce per second costs while upgrading themselves to advanced mechanisms as time is money in business. Producing a unit in two seconds while others do the same in three seconds would lead to increased marginal profits. Upgrading to newer and finer machineries would be worth investing in and strategic financing option would make it more comfortable as the burden of the large investment amount gets divided over several months or years. Hence, you do not have to wait for the perfect time when you have the necessary funds.
Look for Smart Financing Options
Technology is advancing at a faster pace than never before. The value of advanced machinery you purchase today would be obsolete soon and equipment is known to depreciate at faster rates. So, searching for options that offer financing with flexible terms is important. Smart financing helps big, as well as small companies, to improve their packaging equipment without tying up capital and allowing easy cash inflows and outflows. The cash, on the other hand, can be well spent on research, development and marketing that do not depreciate.
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March 12, 2018
Why Packaging Tapes for Business...
Industrial tape fulfils a wide range of business needs and applications. Whether it's packing tape or one for packaging (overlapping terms and functions, actually), industrial tapes are used extensively for packaging goods and binding different materials together. The tapes are indispensable for any business that is involved in manufacturing and/or supplying of goods for dealers, customers or anyone the businessman trades with.
Good quality industrial tapes of various types help businesses achieve their manufacturing purposes as they are used for a variety of functions such as packaging, wrapping, masking, adhesive bonding, thread sealing and several specialized tasks besides securing goods. Industrial tapes play several important roles for packaging that include: protective, storing and loading functions for transportation. In addition, it also plays an important part in supporting business-related functions like promotions, sales and others, as attractive packaging can also enhance aesthetic appeal when a product is showcased or presented to potential clients and customers.
Packaging and Packing Tapes- the Key to Efficiency in Business
The term Packaging Tape encompasses different types of industrial tapes such as masking tape, filament tape, duct tape and carpet/ surface protection tape.The tapes may be of different sizes, widths and diameters. It also includes double coated, foils, paper tapes, carton sealing tapes and many more that meet the needs of various applications. It is crucial that goods remain secure within and not just at the surface so their quality and durability remain intact. Good packaging tape is useful for sealing all types of cartons and boxes for delivery. Dealers receiving your shipment must find products in a good condition, otherwise, the whole purpose, including maintaining and building business relations may be affected if product complaints are raised. If your package is going to undertake a long journey, it will encounter heavy duty moving and transporting right at the port. Personnel handling packages may not always be gentle, so good packaging job is what would come to your rescue.
PackagingSuppliesByMail.com offers best quality industrial tapes at guaranteed low price and excellent standard services that match the best.
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December 18, 2017
Most of the online businesses do not really realize the importance of packaging in the entire business model. The reality remains - shipping and packaging can cost millions of dollars if not streamlined properly. Packaging mistakes can have serious repercussions.
Smart ecommerce packaging design can save millions
Optimizing packaging for shipments needs certain thought processes as the number of possible combinations is huge. Ecommerce packaging material needs to balance productivity and costs by keeping a limited supply of box sizes and shapes. An important thing to consider here is that packaging really matters a lot to consumers. Roughly, for 66% of US customers, the shipping packaging design is a reflection of the company's reputation rather than the quality of the product.
Density and efficiency in packaging design
Shipping density is important to maximize profits. If the supplier ships from overseas, you pay for each freight container you use and most of the online products take up to 60% of the package space. This means if you reduce the number of shipping containers, the packaging density increases from 60% to 80%. Ecommerce packaging design must aim at increasing efficiency.
Protective vs. cost-effective shipping materials
It can be tempting for eCommerce businesses to choose the cheapest packaging materials but this can be a costly mistake. Companies that prefer using quality packaging material for eCommerce businesses can definitely save items from getting damaged during shipment, losing on consumers' confidence and return shipping costs.
The PackagingSuppliesByMail.com store contains several packaging material options that can save you millions per year while not compromising on the quality and protection of your items. Visit https://www.packagingsuppliesbymail.com/ to browse for eCommerce packaging solutions.