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Tag: Ecommerce fulfilment

eCommerce Fulfilment with Space-Saving Packaging Automation

Posted on by David Priestman

As eCommerce continues its rapid expansion, businesses face mounting challenges: space constraints, labour shortage, increasing shipping costs, and the urgent need for sustainable packaging solutions.

CMC, a global supplier of sustainable, advanced packaging solutions, is set to transform fulfilment operations with the launch of two game-changing innovations at LogiMAT in Stuttgart, Germany, March 11-13, 2025 and ProMat 2025 in Chicago, March 17-20, 2025: CMC Super Vertical and CMC Genesys PRIMA.

CMC Super Vertical: The first 3D Vertical Bagger and Auto-packer for single and multi-item orders, featuring an ultra-compact footprint, one-day installation and plug-and-play integration and relocation —ideal for brownfield sites.

With less than a 10 square metres/107 square feet footprint, CMC Super Vertical is a breakthrough in right-sized packaging automation, designed to optimize fulfilment even in smaller facilities. It is the first-ever 3D Vertical Bagger and Auto-packer on the market, providing a plug and play and scalable solution that integrates seamlessly into brownfield environments. It is an ideal choice for businesses seeking to upgrade existing facilities with automation while minimizing disruption, also serving as an entry-level solution to help companies transition from manual packaging to 3D automation.

Key Features of the CMC Super Vertical:
• Packaging Capabilities – Two versions available to produce either 3D paper mailers or right-sized boxes, offering versatility for diverse products shipping needs.
• Higher speed per Square Metre/Feet – Runs up to 500 packages per hour, handling both single and multi-line orders seamlessly.
• Pre-Consolidation Eliminated – Handles unstable multi-line orders without requiring pre-consolidation.
• Versatile Paper Options for 3D Mailer Version–Supports heat sealable functional barrier paper, kraft paper, padded paper and open flute cardboard for enhanced protection.
• Plug-and-Play Installation – Allows for easy setup next to put walls, lower shipping and installation costs, seamless integration into existing fulfilment workflows and easy relocation.

New Era for Box-First Packaging

CMC Genesys PRIMA, a high-throughput, space-efficient machine that brings box-first automation to the forefront leveraging integration with warehouse automation technologies. Following the recent launch of the CMC Genesys Compact for box-last processing, this latest innovation is the first right-sized packaging machine of its kind to support BOTH box-first and box-last processes — a significant advancement in operational efficiency.

CMC Genesys PRIMA features a compact footprint of less than 20 square metres/215 square feet, ensuring easy installation and seamless relocation for future expansion.

With CMC Genesys PRIMA, CMC not only pioneers a breakthrough technology but also redefines packaging with CMC PRIMA-BOX — a patented, innovative box concept designed to set a new standard in automated packaging.

• A unique box design eliminating any void filling material
• Unnecessary corrugated is not discarded but used to create built-in protective corners, providing additional stability and safeguarding for products.
• The box is presented to the picking station with one open side, allowing operators to easily place products inside without obstruction from the flaps. This feature is especially useful for handling taller boxes or preventing using trays
• New design does not require extra equipment to place a lid or seal the box
• Optional automatic box closing
• Tape-free design, reducing material waste
• Easy opening and resealing option
• Opens from the top like a presentation box — enhancing customer experience

As fulfilment centres increasingly seek to optimize existing spaces rather than expand, CMC Super Vertical and CMC Genesys PRIMA delivers a future-proof automation solution designed for sustainability, operational efficiency, and maximum ROI.

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Smoothing the Curve for Peak Ecommerce Performance

Posted on by David Priestman

Ecommerce fulfilment is prone to frequent and often dramatic spikes in demand, and this causes retailers significant challenges in the packing area. How can businesses smooth the curve and cope with these peaks when labour resources are so scarce? Jo Bradley (pictured below), Business Development Manager, Sparck Technologies, comments.

Peak periods stress-test the whole fulfilment and delivery process and nowhere is this more acutely felt than in the packing area. Constructing boxes, packing, weighing, sealing and labelling manually is a slow process, and few shippers have either the space or the available labour to create additional packing stations for what may be only a few days’ work. And as everyone knows finding flexible labour, available at short notice, is a major headache. So, how can online retailers respond to these spikes in demand?

The case for greater use of automation in the packing area is compelling. However, simple size-constrained machines using only one-size of box does not cater for the wide variety of products and order sizes experienced by most online retailers. The results are often very wasteful.

Waste not…

It is understood that 60% of ecommerce deliveries are by volume at least a quarter composed of void-fill or just fresh air. The consequences are poor, with higher material wastage, greater chances of product damage and a negative impact on brand image – resulting in higher levels of returns.

Jo Bradley

What can be done?

High-speed fit-to-size ‘auto-boxing’ systems, developed by Sparck Technologies and used by major brands globally, are capable of tailor-making over 1,100 ecommerce packages per hour.
The system scans and measures the item or group of items to be packed and calculates the ‘best fit’ box shape and size. Material for the box and lid is cut and creased to size, erected around the item(s) and the lid glue-sealed – which is faster and more recyclable than using tape. Parcels are weighed, labelled and away.

This approach addresses the waste problem – cardboard usage typically cut by 30%, and a tight fit eliminates the need for void fill. Total package volumes can be reduced by 50%, maximising the use of the truck or trailer cube and reducing shipping costs and environmental impacts.

More cogently for the hard-pressed fulfilment centre manager, at packing rates in excess of 1,100 per hour the latest CVP Everest machine can potentially replace up to 20 manual packing stations. And for businesses with mid-market volumes a similar machine, the CVP Impack, produces up to 500 boxes per hour and offers just about all the benefits of the CVP Everest.

The business case is impressive. Even operating ‘off-peak’ at well below capacity there is a rapid ROI in the form of material savings, lower shipping costs and labour economies – labour that could be redeployed to other tasks, such as picking. But it is at peak times that the CVP Everest and CVP Impack systems really come into their own, ramping up throughput without any corresponding increase in labour, and minimising the burden on despatch and delivery operations.

By choosing an automated solution to ‘right-size’ ecommerce deliveries, retailers can meet their fulfilment promises, even in the busiest peaks, while respecting the environment, reducing transit damage, and saving money.

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