Bagging and palletising solutions optimise workflow

Packaging and robotic automation company RMGroup has supplied bagging and palletising solutions to Dumfries-based building materials and aggregates supplier J&J Currie. The investments, which were made to increase efficiencies and reduce labour costs, included a MB-400 manual bagging machine and a robot palletiser, followed by a BB-215 bulk bagging machine.

J&J Currie, which supplies an extensive range of sand and decorative gravels, began its search for a manual bagging system and robot palletiser earlier in 2022, principally to alleviate manual handling labour requirements and their associated costs. Having secured a number of quotes for the required solutions, the company found RMGroup’s equipment prices to be more competitive and placed an order.

The installation of the initial system, required to pack and bag all types of aggregates, consisted of a MB-400, RMGroup’s most popular bagging machine and a ABB IRB 460 palletising robot, which was installed to automate the palletising. The MB-400, capable of filling pre-made bags up to 400 bags an hour, comes complete with a 5m 3-tonne hopper, rubber trough conveyor feed belt, electronic load cell bag clamp, weigh indicator, 4m filled bag conveyor complete with guide panels, and a SH1000 continuous heat sealer.

More recently, J&J Currie also purchased RMGroup’s complete bulk-bagging system, the BB-215, the installation of which occurring within three weeks of the order being placed. RMGroup’s bulk bagging machine is designed to work with a variety of products, including the most abrasive. The robust FIBC filling machine includes a large 15-tonne capacity hopper, belt conveyor and a separate filling frame, and can fill over two bulk bags a minute.

“The systems that we’ve installed from RMGroup more than meet our expectations, helping to increase efficiencies in the yard, while reducing our labour overheads,” said J&J Currie’s managing director, Russell Currie. “It also means that we can save on material costs, as these machines weigh everything out so we know that the customer is getting what they pay for. RMGroup were excellent in providing regular updates throughout the purchase of all equipment and the installations themselves were quick and trouble-free – the BB215 was installed in a day, and after a morning of testing we were up and running!”

Kevin Humphreys, RMGroup’s sales manager, added: “J&J Currie is a great business to work with and we are delighted that they are benefiting from having the bagging and palletising systems installed. All aspects of order fulfilment, from project management to delivery and installation were seamless from our side, which all makes for a happy customer. We look forward to providing them with our expertise again in the future.”