When it comes to manufacturing, it is all about time management - completing more in less time - using each division effectively down to each individual employee. To do so requires the teamwork from all facets of the supply chain including production, packaging and distribution. Creating a large number of products is only productive so long as they can be placed in their proper packaging and sent out of the factory as quickly as required.
In the aforementioned scenario, one process could not keep up with the others, if downtime is equated into the scenario. "Downtime," most commonly viewed as the time a companydoes not relate only to money-related aspects of the company. Downtime affects the brand reputation to potential customers, retention of current customers and overall brand confidence. What then, are some of the ways that companies are combatting the .
Using automated solutions
One of the best ways in which companies can address this issue is through the use of automated packaging solutions. Pat Reynolds of Packaging World spoke with Anthony Peterson, the Operations Area Manager of Bush Brothers, a major player in the beans sector of the Food and Beverage Industry.
Peterson explains that in order to improve the company's operations, it needed to be better about tracking the downtime of its casing lines. To do so, it noted each time one of its machines went down, and in doing so, was able to figure out where its system stood to improve.
From there, the company looked for a solution that could make an impact on addressing the issues that were unique to their operations. While machines can do important work in improving downtime across sectors, the places and ways in which this inefficiency arises in each company can differ greatly, meaning that companies should do as Bush Brothers did, and examine their processes closely in order to implement a solution that works for them.
Reducing equipment downtime
However, wasteful processes are not the only factors that contribute to these lulls in productivity. Packaging Digest explains that the wrong machine can also add to downtime.
The news source reports that an efficient automated strategy can lead to huge savings for a company, however, the opposite can actually decrease productivity. Again, the solution in this case is making sure that a company takes the proper considerations in looking at the processes they are trying to improve, and finding a machine that can solve these issues.
For example, if a company loses productivity in its pallet creation process, machines that can automate this process could lead to huge savings.
The computers that allow these machines to function the way they do can also reduce the amount of material that is used in an operation. In the case of the pallet wrapping machine, it can understand how much wrapping film is necessary for a pallet to be secured without using too much. Also, it can be programmed to use the best wrapping technique for the product it contains.
Through automated packaging solutions, companies can reduce the downtime in their packaging processes. This will help not only ensure the safe delivery of a product but streamline supply chain operations.
