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Tag: packaging

Kite launches bale arm crates

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Kite Packaging has launched a new range of nestable and stackable bale arm crates. Essential equipment for supermarkets, the crates are expertly manufactured for ease of transportation and storage.

The bale arm extends to allow the user to hold and carry the box comfortably, a quality which is aided by the wide tray-like structure that evenly distributes the content’s weight. The box is constructed from lightweight yet durable regran polymer to ensure minimised strain when lifting in addition to withstanding heavy weights and water damage.

Simply retract the bale arm for the crates to become nestable when empty or keep it extended to stack the containers when full. The ridged design makes stacking smooth and the boxes suitable for conveniently storing a range of produce.

Although created for supermarkets, the potential applications of these crates are widespread due to the universal versatility of strong, practical and stackable containers. They would prove especially useful in warehouse environments where it is important to conserve space while having the necessary tools to safely move products across a pick and pack operation.

Kite Packaging now supplies two types of bale arm crates: a standard size and a deeper version with an impressive capacity of 20kg and 21kg respectively. A considerable volume of produce can be capably stored and transported within these boxes with the load being safely spread across the wide surface area to reliably protect both the contents and the user.

 

 

Innovative logistics system developed based on printed sensors

Posted on by Keith McKinley

InnovationLab, an expert in printed electronics, has been working with Trelleborg Sealing Solutions to integrate its printed sensors into an innovative logistics application. Trelleborg says its IntelliStok inventory management system eliminates the need for the manual scanning of items, thereby saving time, increasing efficiency and reducing costs.

IntelliStok works seamlessly with existing Kanban-based systems to provide real-time inventory tracking of the company’s sealing products. The system uses printed pressure sensor matrices from InnovationLab, which are placed inside existing storage bins at a warehouse. These sensors weigh the products in each bin and wirelessly send this data to the cloud.

“This was a challenging application. As our seals can weigh less than 1g, we needed a sensitive, cost-effective system that could reliably provide accurate information,” said Domenico Tucci, IoT Solution Architect at Trelleborg Sealing Solutions. “InnovationLab worked closely with us to develop a solution that exceeded our expectations and then manufactured the sensor matrices for us.”

“We provide tailored solutions for our customers’ challenges, from the initial concept to the industrial production of the final product,” said Luat Nguyen, Managing Director at InnovationLab. “Our expertise is based on an in-depth understanding of materials, processes and printing technologies – for Trelleborg, we researched and analysed possible solutions, and then designed and manufactured the optimal sensor matrix that met their specific needs.”

Trelleborg set multiple requirements for the sensor matrix material such as low cost and sufficient durability to prevent deformation or creasing during use. InnovationLab undertook detailed research and testing of various materials, until it found a material that perfectly met all the criteria.

Trelleborg offers IntelliStok as a service to its customers – triggering orders automatically for the replenishment of stock, directly in Trelleborg’s systems. The customer receives an email informing them of the order and the stock arrives shortly thereafter.

For Trelleborg’s customers, there are five standard-size sensor units available, which fit most bin types. The sensor matrices are integrated into a module that incorporates a microcontroller (MCU), a Wi-Fi chip for wireless connectivity and a 3.6V lithium battery.

Kite achieves carbon neutrality

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Kite Packaging has been committed to protecting the environment since its founding in 2001. Stocking specialist enviro-products, establishing a Compliance Scheme to help companies to fund their recycling of plastic waste in the UK, and launching a Plastic Reduction Campaign in 2019, achieving carbon neutrality was the natural next step.

Inherent within Kite’s business model is the idea of wanting clients to be successful. By using less packaging, reducing costs and elevating their environmental consciousness, the business will naturally benefit. Shopping with a carbon neutral supplier strongly supports this approach toward growth.

As a largescale logistics operation, Kite had two main carbon contributors: fuel and energy. Firstly, the company offsets its truck fuel at source, bringing its carbon footprint in this category to zero. As an ISO14001 accredited company, energy consumption was already being strategically reduced, though to achieve carbon neutrality it initiated a move toward renewable tariffs utilising wind, wave or solar energy.

Carbon Neutral Britain verified this achievement in 2021 and neutralised the carbon that was not offset at source using Verified Carbon Credits.

Constant growth and development is at the heart of Kite’s culture; the upcoming movement into a new state-of-the-art site will make the business capable of championing further eco-friendly initiatives with uncapped creativity.

The building will be entirely carbon neutral through solar technology, with the potential to be carbon negative.

IFCO makes senior appointment

Posted on by Keith McKinley

IFCO, a leading provider of Reusable Plastic Containers (RPCs) for fresh food packaging, has appointed Iñigo Canalejo as Vice President, ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) as of 1st August 2021.

IFCO is strongly committed to its ESG strategy and to making the world’s fresh grocery supply chain sustainable. IFCO´s business model is built on the principles of the circular economy with a strong focus on sustainability and has recently had its European line of Lift Lock RPCs awarded Cradle to Cradle Certified at the Silver level.

By leveraging the environmental benefits of its business model, where RPCs are being re-used up to 120 times, washed, sanitised and then at the end of their life cycle, granulated in order to produce new crates, IFCO enables significant CO2, water and energy savings as well as reductions in solid and food waste when compared to single-use packaging.

Through a third-party Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) IFCO is able to scientifically quantify these savings and share them with its European and North American customers to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability.

“Over the past years we have achieved great progress in delivering against our sustainability agenda with one highlight being Cradle to Cradle Certified at the Silver level,” says Michael Pooley, CEO at IFCO. “This reinforces our leading role in the industry, successfully applying the model of the circular economy for many years.

“I am delighted to welcome Iñigo Canalejo in our team. He brings many years of experience in successfully leading ESG programmes in the industry and will help us to position IFCO at the forefront of supply chain sustainability.”

In his former role, Canalejo led the sustainability function in the EMEA region at Brambles, a global supply chain solutions company, whilst also contributing to the design of the Global Sustainability Strategy and its implementation. He also led Brambles’ strategy for negotiating the commercial and operational changes caused by Brexit and has extensive experience in managing government relations.

Canalejo will directly report to IFCO CEO Michael Pooley, reflecting the importance of the role. Achieving IFCO’s challenging ESG goals and making the fresh food supply chain sustainable requires focus and execution speed. He will also chair the IFCO ESG Committee, which includes members of IFCO’s advisory board, the CEO and CFO. This committee will oversee all ESG strategy and activities for the company.

“I am very much looking forward to joining IFCO, working together with my new team on the company’s growing ESG commitment and focus,” added Canalejo. “We have a very busy agenda ahead of us to reach our ambitious sustainable goals and make every step of our customers’ supply chains more sustainable.”

Eco-friendly e-commerce mailing bags launched

Posted on by Keith McKinley

The rapid growth of e-commerce has caused an inevitable soar in demand for easy returns. By reusing the original packaging, the environmental impact of a return is reduced by a minimum of half; Kite Packaging has launched sustainable kraft mailing bags to diminish this impact even further.

These packages are manufactured from FSC certified kraft which is sustainably sourced and grants the mailers superior strength to other papers. A heavy-duty material is essential for an item designed for reuse by a customer, though brown kraft is also 100% recyclable to ensure responsible disposal. This is guaranteed to significantly reduce a company’s carbon footprint while enhancing their green credentials.

The expandable gusseted sides offer extra capacity to fit a considerable range of different products while arriving flat-packed for convenient storage. To allow for effortless packing and returns, Kite’s product features a double peel and seal strip: one for securing an order to be delivered and the second should the goods need to be returned. The perforated easy tear opening provides excellent user satisfaction at the unboxing stage that is continued until the end of the transaction with this intuitive design.

Encourage consumers to shop with confidence, reassured by a user-friendly returns process that promotes repeat sales and all round positive transactions.

 

 

 

Oslo brewery uses cardboard beer carriers

Posted on by Keith McKinley

The new WaveGrip Cardboard Carrier from Berry Global has been selected by Oslo-based Amundsen Brewery, the second-largest craft brewery in Norway and one of the fastest-growing in the country, to provide a ring carrier solution for its range of beer cans.

The WaveGrip carrier has been developed in line with Berry Global’s Impact 2025 sustainability strategy, which aims to work with customers to help meet and exceed their sustainability goals. Each carrier weighs just 7.95g for a standard six-pack and is recyclable in most paper and board waste collection streams. Despite its light weight, it is strong and easy to use, while delivering excellent pack retention.

“Customers are becoming more vocal and involved in the sustainability discussion. They have strong opinions and as a producer we have to listen to these opinions,” explained Geoffrey Jansen van Vuuren, CEO Amundsen Brewery.

“Sustainability and recyclability were therefore key factors when we were looking for our new ring carrier and WaveGrip offered the perfect solution.”

The WaveGrip carrier features a unique, patent pending design that means it does not require folding or manipulation during application. This allows continuous running at high speeds, meeting both the performance and production needs of the most demanding canning lines.

The white fully-coated topside offers high quality printability in up to 10 colours, allowing brand messages and promotions to be easily included for enhanced shelf impact. In addition, the naturally brown reverse opens-up to offer a multitude of further design possibilities and enable direct communication with customers.

Amundsen offers eight core beers year-round and produces between 50-80 seasonal specials a year. The brewery exports to 20 different countries with Sweden and the United Kingdom being its biggest markets.

Mobile packaging system supports salt supplier’s ambitions

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Leading robotics and automation company RMGroup has recently installed one of its innovative mobile packaging systems at PELOT Slovenia, part of the PELOT Group – a main supplier of sea and rock salt in the Republic of Croatia, Slovenia and neighbouring countries.

Used primarily for de-icing roads, the Group’s main objective was to be able to deliver salt to its customers in the shortest-possible timeframe, which during the winter season can amount to 2,500 – 3,000 tonnes of salt per day. With a growth in demand for PELOT Slovenia’s salt products, the firm needed increased mobility in its operation to enable it to service customers more quickly and efficiently, while also providing a bagging service for other businesses.

Following discussions with RMGroup, a mobile packaging system – the LTM 600 – was recommended as a solution. Consisting of a trailer chassis, the system combines manual placement of pre-made bags with an integrated ABB robot palletising system. Given its versatility, the model has also allowed PELOT Slovenia to switch between bag sizes with ease, so now it is able to pack various granules in bags from 10 to 25 kg.

As standard, RMGroup installed an inlet hopper feed system, load cell bag clamp, continuous heat sealer and bag preparation conveyor. The robot palletising system includes pallet magazine and pallet accumulation. Filled pallets are ejected from the line through a controlled speed door, onto gravity conveying. Also included is a compressor to deliver the correct air supply to the line, and a heating system to maintain an ambient temperature and warm environment for bagging.

For service and support, PELOT Slovenia has access to RMGroup’s highly-trained mechanical, electrical and control systems engineers. This provides a rapid response to any service or support requirements remotely via RMGroup’s eWON system – an internet based, remote access tool. The eWON system allows RMGroup to diagnose, respond and repair to any breakdowns or problems that may affect the customer and minimise expensive downtime.

“I had great confidence in working with RMGroup on my project,” said Dejan Mašovič, managing director, PELOT Slovenia. “They have a good reputation online and having read reviews and testimonials, we had the trust to invest in this project. From the start to finish, the communication and updates from RMGroup were excellent. I visited RMGroup’s site with my colleagues to see the machinery prior to the installation and was very happy. RMGroup has been highly professional throughout.”

Ed Pugh, RMGroup’s sales director, added: “As original innovators of the mobile bagging system incorporating robotic palletising, we are delighted to supply our flagship LTF800 to PELOT Slovenia. The whole project ran smoothly throughout and we are confident that the mobile solution will prove to be a wise investment for the business going forward.”

Online event showcases packaging automation

Posted on by David Priestman

The key benefits of packaging automation took centre stage at Sealed Air’s recent PackForum event, with delegates from across Europe finding out more about how systems can maximise efficiencies, minimise downtime and improve product protection.

Professionals from fast-moving sectors including e-commerce, fulfilment, industrial, pharmaceuticals and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) joined the online event to address some of the biggest packaging challenges facing their industries.

Steve Dougan, EMEA Fulfilment Platform Director at Sealed Air, said: “Recent global events have affected businesses in many different ways. From unpredictable demand trends to labour shortages and social distancing in workplaces, companies have faced challenges that can affect operational performance and productivity.

“Such issues have been particularly relevant to packaging processes, with risks of Work-In-Progress (WIP) quickly bottlenecking and slowing down whole production lines and supply chains. The automation event looked at how full and semi-automatic packaging systems can overcome these complexities to optimise uptime, efficiencies and reliability.”

The Automation event focused on a number of Sealed Air’s solutions including Autobag and looked at how packaging automation can improve consistency, reduce overpackaging and minimise defects.

Dougan added: “Some repetitive packaging tasks are prone to fatigue, which can lead to inconsistencies and errors. The accuracy of automated systems avoids this, while also specifying optimal-fit packaging solutions that better protect products and use less materials. This delivers further added value by maximising transportation space to help save costs and carbon emissions.

“In addition, the space-saving performance of packaging automation can help operators address social distancing challenges and also create opportunity to reduce the overheads associated with the larger space required for manual packaging lines. More working area and staff resource can instead be focused on core revenue-generating parts of businesses.”

Event delegates also learnt how to spot the tell-tale signs that packaging lines are ready to be automated, with Sealed Air’s team pinpointing ‘eight signs of waste’.

“The eight signs of waste are all linked to downtime,” explains Dougan, “and are clear indicators that manual packaging lines are no longer keeping pace with wider operational performance or customer demands. Acting sooner, rather than later and switching to automated packaging solutions can help operators to stop counting the costs of these wastes, whether that’s growing waiting times for customers or holding too much stock inventory. Implementing an automated system can often prove a low-capital change that delivers quick returns in terms of improving overall performance and productivity.”

Kite Packaging extends its hivewrap range

Posted on by Keith McKinley

In addition to its original natural brown colour option, hivewrap from Kite Packaging is now available in a bright, modern white tone.

Hivewrap is the environmental innovation providing an alternative to bubble wrap, supplying superior flexibility, space-saving expandability and 100% recyclability. Comprised of honeycomb-inspired hexagonal cells, the clever construction requires neither glue nor tape to adhere, simply interlocking into itself for a secure fit.

Available with a specially designed dispenser, hivewrap enhances the speed, effectivity and green credentials of an entire enterprise.

Plastic-free and fully biodegradable, this wrap has traditionally only been available in a natural kraft shade to reflect these values of sustainability. However, the brand-new crisp white radiates a sense of purity, cleanliness and is perfectly suited to packaging luxurious premium products such as cosmetics, homeware or glassware.

The extremely flexible hive construction gives an intricate yet elegant appeal to the snow-white paper, cultivating a unique customer experience that goes above expectations. Match perfectly with Kite’s selection of pristine white postal boxes.

Sustainable paper wrap is also an incredibly economic investment when compared to bubble wrap. Using the same amount of both products to wrap the same volume of items equates to a 35% cost saving and 20x less space required in a warehouse. When considering storage and logistics, this degree of space conservation can directly translate to more potential for custom and growth for a business.

Apparel manufacturers reduce chargebacks with thermal printers

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Footwear, apparel, consumer electronics, and other consumer goods manufacturers and suppliers can incur tens of thousands of dollars in chargebacks per year solely from shipping carton barcodes that do not meet specifications. Strict barcode requirements set forth by the International Standards Organization (ISO) must be met, and accuracy is imperative.

Using TSC thermal industrial printers with integrated barcode inspection systems, manufacturers can scan and grade their barcode labels before they are placed onto shipping cartons, reducing chargebacks and enhancing efficiency. Keep reading to learn more about how our thermal printers deliver these results.

High-Volume DCs, Razor-Thin Margins

Major retailers receive hundreds of pallets every hour in each of their distribution centres from dozens of manufacturers. And these retailers run a business model on razor-thin margins. Processing time must be quick and efficient. If an incoming carton’s barcode label can’t be read quickly and easily, then processing time grows and productivity is hampered.

Retailers can require that all vendors produce barcodes that meet strict ISO barcode standards to ensure swift processing of incoming shipments. Manual processing of barcodes costs retailers a significant amount of time and money. Suppliers with barcode- labels that fail to meet required standards could be hit with chargeback fees and may even have their entire shipment rejected. Consistent failure to meet ISO barcode standards could result in renegotiation or cancellation of a supplier’s contract.

Scanning and grading labels before they are placed onto the shipping carton empowers vendors to quickly and easily test and ensure accurate barcodes. Testing barcodes before shipments leave the facility to retail distribution centres is the most reliable way for apparel manufacturers to avoid hefty chargebacks and other issues that could affect their bottom line.

Consistent barcode testing and quality can be achieved using the Printronix Auto ID T8000 and T6000e ODV-2D barcode inspection printers, which come equipped with scanning solutions inside the printer’s footprint. Because the scanner is integrated with the printer controller, there is no need for an external PC, software, or the creation of a “golden image” of the label to produce accurate, ISO-compliant labels. This means:

  • Simplified verification without the need for external scanners
  • Lower costs since no additional software investment is required
  • Expedited quality using built-in printer scanners that automatically find and grade up to 50 barcodes per label

The integrated scanner grades to ISO standards and verifies that each barcode’s data sent to the printer matches the printed barcode. Reading barcodes from a wide variety of data streams, including PostScript and PDF, the integrated scanner finds, verifies, grades, and reports the details of every barcode on every label through the Printronix Auto ID free, standard device management software PrintNET Enterprise. These reports can be exported for integration or stored in the host system to help defend against chargebacks.

There is no need to define requirements in a software program, change the data stream, or set up and use external attachments. Printronix Auto ID industrial printers can get up and running quickly. These printers automatically overstrike bad labels, reducing costly manual processes while improving quality, reducing the risk of chargebacks for non-compliant labels.

Reduce chargebacks with the Printronix Auto ID T8000 and T6000e industrial printers. Featuring ODV-2D barcode inspection technology, TSC says these printers are loaded with benefits that enhance barcode compliance and quality, all at a competitive price.

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