FEATURE Packaging & Logistics
How can food companies deliver sustainable packaging operations?
Tony Bryant, Sales Director at Shemesh Automation, explains how all-in-one packaging solutions can make food and beverage companies more sustainable, boosting productivity and leaving little room for human error
P
ackaging plays an important role in promoting brand awareness and shelf appeal in retailers’ food aisles – it’s a very competitive
market. However, packaging suppliers also need to reduce their carbon footprint and off er sustainable, well-designed packaging and correctly-positioned labelling that is informative and distinctive. There is a global trend towards keeping
production processes in-house to cope with supply chain pressures and rocketing transport costs. But where companies have not automated their lines, they are regularly suff ering with staff shortages, which are having a knock-on eff ect on productivity. Fully-automated operations are cost-eff ective and can rapidly boost output of food and beverages.
Boosting staff skills
Flexibility is key for managing diverse products, which come in a variety of package shapes and sizes. Downtime for changing lines to accommodate diff erent items can result in lost revenue. What’s needed is a hands-off approach with cutting-edge equipment that encompasses all aspects of downstream packaging from liquid fi lling to capping, continuous labelling and case packing. A signifi cant ROI can be gained with an automated capping machine that is faster, more consistent and with a lower risk of errors than the human workforce, who can then work on tasks better suited to their skills.
Hiring and retaining staff , the rising cost and availability of raw materials, soaring fuel and energy prices and the plastic packaging tax aimed at tackling single-use plastic waste, are major challenges facing food producers. Bringing everything in- house and automating processes are the drivers to maximising production capacity – highly-automated processes require less close operator interaction. Automation provides a consistent
process irrespective of staffi ng levels. Thanks to modern, maintenance-friendly
24 December/January 2023 | Automation
Shemesh Automation’s newly-launched Asterra cam-based rotary piston filling machine includes 16 filling stations specifically designed for a wide range of low and high viscous liquids with particulates from 500 to 400.000CPS
designs, when operators do get involved, they have optimum accessibility of machine parts allowing for tool-less changeovers, quickly and safely. The latest technology is also Industry-4.0-ready, so any issues or software updates to a line can also be handled remotely as part of after- sales customer service. The market also off ers packaging machines that save energy – UK manufacturers have been grappling with spiralling price hikes for many months – and cater for the growing move away from plastic wrapping to eco-friendly and recyclable materials. This is particularly evident in fresh produce, where suppliers are turning to cardboard and paper wrapping for improved sustainability.
Shoppers are getting savvier Shoppers are becoming more savvy because of the cost of living crisis, coupled with a stronger awareness of sustainability. Retailers are demanding that suppliers have packaging systems in place that not only protect the integrity and off er great presentation of goods, but can also accelerate the process in getting them to market and extend their shelf life. Manufacturers need to decide when working with a packaging machine supplier what their capabilities are and
how they are structured for change. Reliable delivery, quality product, competitive costing and great service are still key indicators of performance. Optimum productivity depends on the high performance of a supplier’s machinery and minimal production downtime. That’s why at Shemesh we make a worldwide network of qualifi ed technicians available to customers 24/7. The challenge is sourcing easy-to-use systems that can seamlessly interact between brand labels, complex shapes and materials yet won’t cost the earth. All-in-one packaging machines with completely hands-free operation increase production effi ciency by encompassing all aspects of food packaging. Automating labour-intensive tasks and reducing the reliance on packaging materials that incur a tax burden will make processes more sustainable.
Sustainability in mind We all have the responsibility to care for the environment and the world around us. This means making machines that are designed and built with sustainability in mind. Thanks to the latest technology advances the portioning process itself is much faster, while fewer fi lling stations and smaller turrets overall are required, saving space in a production plant. The goal is to off er food and beverage manufacturers fl exible fi lling, sealing and capping machinery that fi ts their specifi c packaging requirements. The ability to eff ectively handle a variety of products and packaging is a key advantage in this highly-competitive market. Also, delivering signifi cant sustainability benefi ts and reductions in operational costs – alongside fast throughputs. That’s an unbeatable ROI.
CONTACT:
Shemesh Automation
www.shemeshautomation.com
automationmagazine.co.uk
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