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Category: Packaging & Labelling

Nuremberg LogisticCity: Recycled Paper, not Plastic

Posted on by David Priestman

The LogisticCity in Nuremberg is the logistics centre of the Hoffmann Group, which was put into operation at the end of 2021. As a market-leading partner for quality tools, the company supplies over 135,000 customers worldwide. The increased output of the highly automated LogisticCity led to the evaluation in use of protective void fill cushioning materials. To meet the new requirements of the packaging process, Papier Sprick supplied the PaperJet cushioning system, a demand-oriented and efficient solution.

120,000 different catalogue items, 80 packing stations and up to 40,000 packages per day ‒ the LogisticCity presents complex demands on a packaging solution. Before the LogisticCity was built,
Hoffmann Group used foil cushions as padding material. Junior Project and Process Manager Jonas Karg remembers: “The topic of filling or cushioning material was a puzzle that had to be reassembled. From employees to upper management, everyone was involved in the project.”

Several impulses shifted the decision in the direction of recycled paper: The innovative idea behind the LogisticCity was to be carried forward in the area of sustainability. “The desire for a more eco-friendly packaging material was also expressed by customers,” says Karg. In addition, regulatory requirements for importing plastic foil to other countries influenced the decision-making process. At FACHPACK in September 2019, before the finalization of the LogisticCity, Hoffmann Group and Papier Sprick engaged in dialog for the first time.

The very next month, the first test setups were carried out at the established Nuremberg site, which were expanded into the building of LogisticCity in April 2020. Paper- and foil-based solutions from various manufacturers were put to the test in practice and evaluated by employees based on feedback sheets, among other criteria. Papier Sprick submitted the PaperJet, an extremely fast system for the production of paper cushions.

The test clearly highlighted the advantages of the PaperJet over the film solution and other paper-based materials. “Initial scepticism about the paper solution was quickly dispelled. The employees favoured the PaperJet and preferred to work at these stations,” says Michael Scholz, Team Leader Logistics Small Packaging.

Jörg Kaschny, Field Sales Manager of Papier Sprick’s, was on hand to advise from the start of the test phase. “This reliable service was very valuable for us,” says Karg. “With Mr. Kaschny, we have a single point of contact who takes care of all matters.” The test setups were accompanied by training sessions for packaging. Here, Kaschny informed the employees about cushioning and packing options, carton sizes and the workflow. Scholz emphasizes, “This gave our employees an understanding of the material and cushioning with paper.”

By integrating the PaperJet, the work process was comprehensively optimized. Today, a total of 80 machines are placed in the small and large packaging departments. In the small packaging
department, the PaperJet produces cushions in a dispenser at the packing table, while in the large packaging department, the employees remove the cushion directly from the machine. The central preproduction of foil cushions and subsequent distribution to the packing stations has thus been replaced.

“Packing is now much more versatile than before,” says Scholz. The freely selectable cushion lengths allow for precise void fill. “The short set-up time is a crucial point which makes the PaperJet so attractive. We currently change the material pallet per workstation about every 3 to 4 weeks. This means a considerable timesaving compared to the previous 1 to 2 roll changes of foil material per day,” says Karg. This is achieved thanks to the ComPackt endless pallet in space-saving fanfold format, which offers 7,600 meters of recycled paper in a small footprint. “For an ergonomic workplace, our in-house perforated plate was integrated into the container solutions on request, so that all necessary materials are placed directly and ergonomically within reach at the packing station,” adds Karg.

The Hoffmann Group does not only pursue the goal of sustainability in the selection of the cushioning material. “Every year, we generate 600 tons of paper waste, the majority of which comes from incoming goods,” explains Karg. Previously, the waste was collected in several presses, which were then picked up separately for disposal. Now the waste paper is pressed in the company’s own bailing compactor.

These bales can be used by Papier Sprick to produce more paper for the PaperJets used in the LogisticCity. This is done at the Papier Sprick paper mill in Diemelstadt and provided through the
regular material deliveries. The result of the cooperation between the Hoffmann Group and Papier Sprick is thus not only a modern, efficient packaging solution, but also a sustainable recycling
management.

ESG Journey with CMC Sustainability Report

Posted on by David Priestman

CMC Packaging Automation, a leading supplier of automated packaging and mailing solutions that is proud partner of KKR’s Global Impact team and backed by Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund, has launched its first annual sustainability report.

“I’m really proud to share our first annual CMC sustainability report with our partners, investors and the wider industry,” commented Francesco Ponti, the company’s Chief Executive Officer.” We are proud to have taken our social and environmental responsibilities seriously from the very start, and to continue that tradition right up to the present. This report demonstrates that it’s possible for a packaging company to make a positive difference to the world both through its own operations and on behalf of customers.”

“Social and environmental responsibility has definitively become a decisive part of the Group’s decision-making processes and strategic choices. All the solutions offered on the market not only aim to offer an economic or productive benefit but to further contribute to the achievement of the ESG objectives of our customer portfolio”, added Luca Barzaghi, the company’s Chief Financial Officer and Head of ESG.

Environmental impact

The report reveals that CMC’s packaging solutions have cut greenhouse gas emissions by 41-58% for its customers and also reduced the need for cardboard by 41% when compared with traditional packaging methods.

This represents an important benefit for the environment, since CMC works with more than 600 clients worldwide, including the planet’s largest multinational e-commerce, retail and 3PL companies. Its pioneering work on perfect-sized packaging means that it is now able to heavily reduce the cubic volume of each box and eliminate the use of void fillers. Through innovative technology such as the flexible CMC CartonWrap solution, CMC saved more than 194.000 metric tons of paperboard in 2022 alone, according to the report – up from 124.000 metric tons in 2021.

Planning for the future

The new sustainability report outlines the company’s environmental and social aims. In 2022, the company created a long-term environmental, social, and governance (ESG) roadmap, which includes investment in the company’s human capital and reaching net zero emissions from both its own operations and from purchased energy by 2050.

CMC also hired a dedicated ESG Manager to oversee the implementation of the roadmap. Progress on key performance indicators is reported on a quarterly basis to the company’s board.
“Today’s customers and investors expect packaging companies to emphasise ESG and sustainability in their operations. They want low-emissions technologies and innovative solutions that eliminate unnecessary materials and improve the environmental impact of their own businesses,” Mr Ponti added

“This report shows that sustainability is already at the heart of what we do at CMC, which is why we are backed by the KKR Global Impact team and Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund. It highlights the progress we have made so far – working closely with our clients to make industry more environmentally friendly – but it also represents a commitment to continued innovation and improvement going forward. I very much look forward to sharing our progress with partners, investors and the wider industry in future sustainability reports.“

Request the full 2022 sustainability report here:

Wrap Innovation Reduces Supply Chain Waste

Posted on by David Priestman

DS Smith, a leading global sustainable packaging company, has innovated DD Wrap as a brand-new sustainable shelf ready packaging design, to meet circular economy requirements while increasing supply chain efficiency and enhancing the in-store shopping experience. The DD Wrap packaging option was created by DS Smith’s design team. It is designed and customised for a variety of packaging solutions and is created from a mono piece of carboard without perforation at the front side, thus improving visibility and appeal at the point of display.

The first new DD Wrap packaging solution was developed to contain biscuits and can be tailored bespoke for any other product range. Every DS Smith product is created according to the principles of the company’s Circular Design Principles and approach. This enables DS Smith designers to minimise the amount of material and resources used and reduce the empty spaces and air present in packaging boxes. When transporting this new shelf ready packaging, all space is fully utilised reducing the volume of vehicles and unnecessary CO2 emissions.

The pioneering DS Smith Circular Design model allows for each packaging design solution to be assessed through eight different indicators. The designers can then assess from an informed perspective if a packaging product is reaching sustainability targets and decide on next steps on how to improve.

According to recent research by IGD (The Institute of Grocery Distribution), 53% of consumers feel that quality designed shelf ready packaging improves brand communication and 85% of shoppers think that in-store marketing is more likely to influence their purchase decisions. 42% of consumers believe that shelf ready packaging with clear presentation makes shopping easier.

Francesco Barsanti, Sales, Marketing & Innovation Director, DS Smith, Italy:
“As leaders in the packaging industry, at DS Smith, we know that innovation and design are essential to creating sustainable and efficient solutions that meet the needs of our customers and society, and in line with our purpose of Redefining Packaging for a Changing World.

Our company is committed to combine market insight with innovative design and to creating high-impact shelf ready packaging. DD Wrap perfectly positions the product of our customers and gains maximum attention.

Designed correctly, shelf ready packaging has a vital part to play in the promotional mix, generating sales in-store at the crucial point of purchase. DS Smith works with marketing teams to ensure that the packaging reflects the brand positioning, achieves visual disruption in the category and helps promotions succeed. So, from design to production and supply, to recycling, we offer our customers a joined-up solution that is sustainable for all”, concludes Barsanti Francesco.

DS Wrap is set to extend across a range of FMCG and food and beverage products and it is created from one piece of packaging, and easy to open without scissors or a sharp tool.

 

Protective Safety Gloves

Posted on by David Priestman

Leading online packaging supplier, Kite Packaging, has added a new range of industrial use safety gloves to their offering, including a polyurethane coated and cut-resistant variety.

Suitable for a range of industries, such as warehousing, automotive, engineering and mechanics to name a few, these gloves provide the ultimate grip strength for tasks requiring accuracy, precision and dexterity. Both varieties are EN 388, ensuring high quality and compliance with European Committee for Standardization safety standards.

The polyurethane gloves are durable, offering light resistance to liquids, improved grip strength and flexibility, whilst providing a comfortable experience to the wearer thanks to their soft inner lining. These gloves are latex free to reduce the chance of irritation or allergic reactions occurring.

Safety Gloves

Designed to be lightweight and flexible, Kite’s cut resistant safety gloves offer enhanced grip strength, acting like a second skin for the wearer. Thanks to their polyester and glass fibre lining, these gloves provide high performing cut resistance against mechanical risks while their elastane and polyurethane construction ensures comfortability and durability.

These safety gloves can be purchased from Kite Packaging at market-beating prices with further discounts available when buying wholesale quantities.

Kite loves solving packing problems using expertise to ensure customers are using the right range of products for their business. No matter how simple or complicated packaging is, their skill is ensuring the right solution. With over 2,500 standard products and tens of thousands bespoke lines in stock, Kite provide a Just-in-Time solution available immediately.

Innovative Packaging, Customised Solutions

Posted on by Keith McKinley

As part of Kingspan Insulation’s wider strategy to invest in new technology and sustainable solutions, it is excited to announce the launch of Inokor – an agile bespoke, innovative packaging and engineering business. Inokor focuses on high-end solutions, customized to the needs of its customers for applications in the areas of agriculture, cold chain packaging, construction, food, OEM, pharmaceutical and more.

Backed by Kingspan Group’s resources and technical expertise, Inokor is a global brand with a team of experts who work closely with customers to design and manufacture multi-technology rigid foam packaging and customized products. Options range from straightforward shaped EPS, EPP and PIR, to VIPs (Vacuum Insulated Panels) and cold chain technology.

As a customer led business, time is taken to understand customers’ requirements and to work collaboratively to develop optimum solutions. Inokor has the capability to provide a wide range of different elements, from building components, automotive damping insulation, horticultural solutions, cold chain packaging or insulation for industrial freezers.

With innovation at its core, Inokor is committed to creating more sustainable solutions, utilising recycled plastics where possible and reducing reliance on virgin materials. The expert team is also working towards Kingspan Group’s Planet Passionate targets, including cutting carbon emissions and protecting water supplies.

Alan Lawlor, Divisional Managing Director at Kingspan Insulation, explains the philosophy behind Inokor: “As longstanding experts in rigid foam technology we saw a need in the market for bespoke engineered solutions in many different sectors. Inokor has evolved to meet that need, providing a flexible service that is not constrained by any single material or approach. It’s a name that reflects the relationship we build with those around us and the innovative approach exploring different materials and new challenges, whilst acting responsibly towards people and the planet.”

Kite Expands Enviro-box Range

Posted on by David Priestman

Kite Packaging, a leading UK online supplier of packaging, has expanded its best-selling range of enviro-boxes to include five new sizes following growing demand.

Kite’s enviro-boxes are a premium single-wall box with a heavy-duty flute which combine superior strength and durability with efficient material design. The end result is robust and reliable whilst being cheap enough to be affordable.

These boxes are an eco-friendly alternative to larger double-wall boxes thanks to their manufacturing process which expends 30% less CO₂ emissions by comparison. They also contain between 60-90% recycled content and are made from lighter materials. This means more units can be fitted onto a pallet, leading to lower shipping costs and a reduced carbon footprint.

Enviro-box

Available in an array of sizes, Kite says these boxes are ideal for businesses with a large product file thanks to being versatile in what they can package. Some sizes come multi-scored and can be adjusted to better suit the dimensions of the goods packaged within, helping to keep postage costs to a minimum.

They are supplied flat-packed for easy storage and can be purchased from Kite Packaging at market-beating prices with further discounts available when buying wholesale quantities. The company is carbon neutral certified and has good reviews from its customers.

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Outgoing Goods Operations Optimized

Posted on by David Priestman

In order to further optimise the outgoing goods process, avoid misdirected parcels and thus reduce the costs of returns, electrical wholesaler FEGA & Schmitt once again chose Wanzl as a partner for intralogistics solutions. Following the successful implementation of smart package roll containers from Wanzl, including the asset tracking system last year, Wanzl has now developed a targeted, tailor-made scanning solution together with software provider BOX ID Systems and ProGlove, a wearable scanner manufacturer, which improves the processes in outgoing goods at FEGA & Schmitt.

In order to advance the digitalisation of its logistics, FEGA & Schmitt explored the market in search of an efficient scanning solution for its shipping process. As a comprehensive solution provider with a large partner network, Wanzl met all the requirements. “At Wanzl, the focus is always on the customer and their needs. Wanzl also has highly qualified specialists who work together to create a customised solution,” says Roland Huber, Logistics Project Management at FEGA & Schmitt, explaining the renewed collaboration. In discussions with the customer and partners BOX ID Systems and ProGlove, Wanzl first developed the opportunities and possibilities to offer FEGA & Schmitt the right solution for optimising its outgoing goods department. In doing so, Wanzl analysed the processes, identified weaknesses, and highlighted the potential for improvement. Always in mind: economic efficiency for the customer.

Joint development of a customised solution

“If a solution is not worthwhile financially or has long amortisation periods, we advise our customer against the project. It is important to us that the solutions suit the customer’s future structures. We also consider the customer’s growth, goals and other upcoming projects,” says Cassandra Hieber, Product Manager for Digital Solutions at Wanzl. In the specific case at FEGA & Schmitt, a scanning solution was created that helps employees to correctly assign packages to containers. This prevents misdirection of packages, thus contributing to cost reduction. In addition, the scanning solution makes the outgoing goods process more reliable and can be integrated into the existing asset tracking system.

The new scanning solution optimises the outgoing goods process

The technology developed by BOX ID Systems and ProGlove specifically for this project is based on a data comparison of the package ID, the assigned tour and the package roll container. For this purpose, each package roll container was given an inventory number and provided with a corresponding barcode label. In addition, the individual tours are stored in a database with a tour code. If a package roll container is assigned to a specific trip, it will also receive a trip card with the QR code of the tour code. The inventory number of the roll container and the tour QR code are then scanned using the ProGlove scanner. The data is then automatically “married” in the database and the appropriate packages can be assigned by the hand-held scanner. Employees can then begin loading the roll container.

Each package in outgoing goods has its own package ID as a barcode on the shipping label. The employee in outgoing goods must now scan the two barcodes of the package and the appropriate roll container with the ergonomic back-of-hand scanner. Real-time communication between the systems ensures that it detects whether it has assigned the package to the correct load carrier. The scans are sent to a central server via the newly developed interface. There, the software from BOX ID Systems checks whether the package is really intended for this load carrier with the tour ID. If the package matches the container, a green signal lights up on the back-of-hand scanner. The employee can load the package and scan the next one. If the data does not match, the employee receives negative feedback on the back-of-hand scanner: an acoustic signal sounds, an LED light on the scanner lights up red and the scanner vibrates. This effectively informs but does not hinder the employee. Only when the employee has rectified the error (i.e. assigns the package to the correct container and the scanner provides positive feedback) can the new scanning process be started for the next package. This prevents the package from going on the wrong tour despite negative feedback. Package roll containers are assigned to the shipping gates or trucks based on the same principle.

In addition to the requirements for simple implementation and intuitive handling, it was also important for FEGA & Schmitt that the new system be transferred to its sister companies. Wanzl therefore paid attention to the scalability of the process from the very beginning when planning the project. Distinguishing between the containers of the two companies played an important role here. At the same time, it was important that the tour designations are coordinated with each other. “Wanzl is a true organisational talent,” reports Roland Huber from FEGA & Schmitt and adds: “In this case, support had to be provided not only to ourselves as a customer and to the project partners, but also to our sister company. This made close collaboration, detailed coordination, and precise coordination all the more important. Wanzl did this excellently while ensuring that every challenge was solved to the satisfaction of everyone.” During the entire project, various functional tests were carried out continuously to regularly check and optimise the different development statuses. After successful completion, FEGA & Schmitt initially only used the scanning solution in a sub-area and tested the go-live in the picking zone, where the goods are assigned to the containers. When this test run was successful, the customer gradually expanded the area of application. More than 1,700 load carriers are now compatible with the BOX ID Systems tracking system.

Pioneering work as a team

FEGA & Schmitt, BOX ID Systems, ProGlove and Wanzl have jointly combined two innovative technologies: the wearable scanner with worker feedback and asset tracking with a scanning solution. “We have developed a completely new way of exchanging information with a central server without an intermediate Windows or Android device,” says Marc-David Wagner, Sales Director at ProGlove, explaining what was special about the project. “That was great teamwork! Dominik Buchinger from BOX ID Systems has done an excellent programming job in a short time. And the FEGA & Schmitt employees in Jürgen Gundermann’s dispatch team have also contributed to making the system as efficient and suitable for everyday use as it now is,” says Roland Huber from FEGA & Schmitt. The scanning solution has been perfectly developed for use at the electrical wholesaler but can also be adapted to the needs of other customers, such as for tracking returns or detecting process errors. The development and specification potential of the solution is huge. It can contribute to better integration of processes and interfaces and can be used in dispatch centres, distribution platforms or freight forwarders.

FEGA & Schmitt is extremely satisfied with their experiences with the scanning solution so far. All the partners look back on a successful project: “For us, the best success is to see the system being used at the customer’s site with the desired effects. The scanning solution reliably detects possible misdirections and provides immediate remedy,” summarises Matthias Piekarczyk, Chief of Sales Office at BOX ID Systems GmbH. For Wanzl, customer and project support does not stop here. Together with BOX ID Systems and ProGlove, project management has designed an after-sales service that monitors the scanning systems and provides and manages software updates. There is also a hardware service that replaces faulty scanners within 24 hours. FEGA & Schmitt are already planning the next projects with Wanzl and its partners: new load carriers and new hardware in the area of transport container tracking are in the pipeline.

Sealed Air Announces New Corporate Brand SEE

Posted on by David Priestman

Sealed Air Corporation has announced it has officially changed its corporate brand to SEE®, taking the next step in reinventing the company. Sealed Air has evolved its corporate and iconic brands to SEE, showcasing a market-driven, customer-first, solutions company. SEE partners with customers to deliver packaging solutions integrating Automation, Digital and Sustainability, creating significant value for their businesses.

SEE’s growth and earnings performance has significantly increased over the last five years built on the SEE Operating Model and executed by the SEE Operating Engine and SEE Operational Excellence.

Commenting on SEE’s corporate rebrand, Ted Doheny, President and CEO said:
“We are relentlessly reinventing SEE from product driven to a world-class, market-led company powered by automation, digital and sustainable packaging solutions.”
“SEE is making the future of packaging real and we expect this to enhance our valuation.”

SEE supplies packaging for more than 30 billion products globally each year. SEE’s new corporate brand represents the power of its brands and solutions that include equipment, services and materials. The company has grown and evolved beyond what it once was, and the new corporate brand and logo are a direct reflection of that transformation. SEE is continuously redefining what packaging does and can do by integrating automation, digital and sustainability into solutions that exceed the needs of its customers.

Automation: SEE enables customers to unlock productivity and savings by designing, manufacturing, sourcing and delivering automated packaging solutions with paybacks shorter than 3 years. The company is on a path to more than double its automation portfolio by 2027.

Digital: SEE’s digital printing and online value-added services empower brand owners to improve business performance and operational efficiency. The company expects over 80% of its sales to be transacted digitally by 2027. SEE’s solutions reach consumers through engaging and cost-effective digital designs and content.

Sustainability: SEE continuously brings customers new, innovative materials and applications that reduce waste, extend shelf-life, increase protection, enable circularity and reduce carbon impacts of products and packaging. Nearly 20% of its materials portfolio comes from recycled or renewable sources. SEE’s Net Positive Circular Ecosystem makes sustainability affordable for customers by lowering their total cost through automation, digital and innovative packaging solutions.

SEE’s new logo is a visual representation of the next stage in reinventing the company. The three crescents that make up the circle represent automation, digital and packaging with the full circle representing SEE’s purposeful commitment to sustainability and circularity in everything we do.

“We are excited to become SEE,” said Ted Doheny, SEE’s President & CEO. “We are solving our customers’ critical packaging challenges to make our world better than we find it.”

From the History of Sealed Air to the Future of SEE

SEE (under its former trade name “Sealed Air”) began in 1960 after an idea for insulated bubble wallpaper morphed into the iconic BUBBLE WRAP® packaging brand. In 1998 the company acquired Cryovac, establishing new leadership in food packaging. The company has grown into a global organization that provides essential packaging solutions to a vast array of industries including food, fluids & liquids and e-commerce. Over the past five years, the company has made strategic acquisitions that accelerated the reinvention of the company, including the acquisition of APS (automated packaging systems), Foxpak (digital printing capabilities) and Liquibox (fluids & liquids packaging and dispensing). SEE has approximately 17,300 employees across the world and serves customers in 120 countries and territories.

Peak Resilience

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Challenges in finding available labour, combined with rising costs, prompted logistics service provider, iForce, and their client, The Works, to re-think their approach to achieving peak for the leading toys and stationery retailer. Ensuring reliable fulfilment would require a commitment to advanced automation including state-of-the-art, right-size packaging technology from Sparck.

Established in 1981, The Works has grown to become the go-to multi-channel value retailer for reading, learning, creativity and play, with 525 shops in the UK & Ireland and an online store visited by over 41.5 million customers a year.

Customer service is of prime importance to the business – efficient fulfilment of online orders, along with prompt delivery of well packaged items is essential for winning repeat sales. However, with the industry wide scarcity of suitable labour, and the inevitable rises in labour costs, delivering increasing peak volumes was becoming ever more challenging.

To address these issues, in 2020 iForce embarked on a business-wide initiative to develop a strategy for investment into advanced warehouse automation, and as a key client The Works was fully involved and supportive of the move.

Neil Lavercombe, Business Planning Manager at iForce, responsible for ecommerce development, explains: “Like every business in the industry labour was becoming increasingly difficult to find and more expensive, and that put at risk our ability to deliver peak for our clients. So, we decided to develop a strategy around automation, based on lowering our dependency on labour, particularly at peak, therefore de-risking our ability to deliver.”

There were three elements to the strategy: robotic goods-to-person order picking, robot assisted picking and automated packaging systems. However, it was absolutely critical that all three should work in perfect synchronisation with each other.

The Works was a prime candidate for robot-assisted picking linked to an automated packing machine. Lavercombe points out: “When it came to evaluating the different packing solutions on the market, we quickly determined that the principle of auto fit-to-size packaging had big advantages over the traditional box-closer systems, and the supplier that really stood out was Sparck Technologies with their CVP Impack machine.”

The CVP Impack measures, constructs, tapes, weighs and labels each parcel in just a matter of seconds. The operator simply places the item(s) to be packed onto the machine and scans the order. The system identifies the order and automatically conveys the items to a 3D scanner to measure and calculate the minimum box size required. The cardboard is then cut and folded to create a snug fit around the goods and tape is applied on just two sides to secure the box. Then an in-line scale checks the weight against the order and, finally, the box is automatically conveyed to a label printer where a carrier compliant label is created and applied.

The decision made, installation of a dual feed CVP Impack machine took place at iForce’s Rugby warehouse in June 2022, well in time for The Work’s busy autumn peak season. The dual operator feed facilitates a seamless and continuous flow of orders, from order-totes arriving at the machine, to complete, perfectly sized packages, weighed and labelled, ready for despatch.

Speed, throughput and reliability are core attributes of Sparck’s fit-to-size auto-boxing technology, an important capability given that at peak The Works will see around 70% of their ecommerce parcels created automatically by the CVP Impack.

Typical ecom challenges around very changeable order profiles at peak, multi-item orders and SKU variance play to the strengths of the CVP Impack and the inherent flexibility of Sparck’s fit-to-size technology. According to Lavercombe: “Order profiles, in terms of items per order together with the physical size of orders, can vary throughout the year, ranging from a typical ecom profile of one or two items per order to 10+ items per order. The CVP Impack simply produces the right sized packaging for whatever orders we have, a far simpler and less complex process than using traditional fixed size cartons, with the added advantage that void fill is completely eliminated.” As a consequence, significant savings in material costs have been achieved.

Sparck Technologies’ latest CVP machines now offer the possibility to select up to three input feeds, each with a different width of cardboard, which allows the machine to automatically select the most appropriate board size – saving on material waste.

There are important benefits for the customer too. By creating custom sized packaging for each order, the customer receives a compact, right-sized box, which is more convenient to carry, eliminates ‘consumer distress’ over wasteful packaging and delivers a positive environmental message. A further advantage of the fit-to-size cardboard packaging is a snug fit to the product, which prevents items moving around, providing better protection without the need for bubble-wrap or void-fill.

“We wanted to keep things very simple,” says Lavercombe. “The packaging machine had to integrate with both our existing manual processes and our new robotic systems – once again the simple approach of the Sparck machine worked for us. It seemed designed from the bottom up to do the job, rather than an adapted system. For example, a great feature is the way components needed for day-to-day maintenance are readily available and a drawer system offers easy access – well thought out design, from day one.

“Also, if we have issues with the machine at any time, Sparck engineers can remotely access cameras mounted on the machine and give us guidance. These are advantages well in advance of the market,” he says.

So, how is the machine performing? “Feedback from the Rugby site has been really excellent,” says Lavercombe. “Basically, the machine does exactly what Sparck said it would do and, importantly, what we needed it to do. On the rare occasion there has been an issue, the speed of response, the information provided, and the way Sparck has handled the situation has been really, really good. If an engineer was needed on site, they arrived very quickly.”

He adds: “Installation too went exceptionally smoothly. The machine arrived on Monday morning and there were boxes coming off the line the following Friday. It was fully operational within two weeks.”

Summing up, Lavercombe says: “Sparck is supporting us all the way. It truly feels like a partnership rather than a customer – supplier relationship.”

Kite Packaging Expands ecommerce Boxes

Posted on by David Priestman

The employee share-owned company has expanded its bestselling range of ecommerce boxes to include two new sizes following a rise in demand for them. The new additions are sized as follows: 180 x 100 x 50mm and 200 x 100 x 100mm.

These boxes are made from heavy duty single wall corrugation to provide suitable protection to a range of products during shipping. Featuring a crash lock base and an integrated peel-&-seal adhesive strip, these boxes aid rapid assembly and pack efficiency to necessitate fast order fulfilment. To enhance end-user satisfaction, a tear strip is included for easy and safe opening.

ecommerce Boxes

Ecommerce boxes are made with card obtained from renewable sources and they are widely kerbside recyclable once finished with. These lightweight boxes keep postage costs and carbon footprints to a minimum and are great for shipping cosmetics, jewellery, candles, baked goods, ceramics and homeware to name a few.

Available to buy at market-beating prices, Kite’s wholesale discounts reduce outgoings further, offering customers the best value for their money in the industry, with the advantages of next day delivery and guaranteed stock availability.

Cardboard boxes

Whether you are looking to move home, office or sort items for resale or storage, your choice of cardboard box could be more integral to achieving your task than you first thought. As a leading B2B packaging supplier, we use our knowledge, expertise and range of excellent cardboard boxes and other packing products to make life easier for our customers.

Our comprehensive range includes enviro packing boxes, pallet and export boxes, postal boxes and many other unrivalled box solutions, meaning you are certain to find the packaging products to cater to your unique requirements. Whatever your needs, each and every one of our customers will receive free standard delivery (on orders over £100), the very best cardboard packing items at great low prices and fantastic discounts on bulk orders alongside the highest standard of customer service.

Durable, high quality and heavy duty, our products have made packing and moving the items that your company holds dear as stress-free as possible, minimising the risk of unfortunate but common issues like item breakages and other damage. Read on to find out more about how we can assist you in your upcoming packaging purchase and discover the benefits of our products to pinpoint a box type to not just meet but exceed your expectations.

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