Is Your Production Line Ready for Seasonal Demand?
Already high pressure on the production line is set to increase still further as one of the busiest seasonal periods approaches. Is your packaging line ready? We take a look at how packaging lines are preparing both for seasonal and long-term demand increases.
Introducing automation to increase production
For many manufacturers, the key to meeting demand is increasing production, and there is no better way to do it than by introducing levels of automation to the packaging line.
Automating key aspects of the packaging line can increase speed and output, but also offers greater flexibility, providing a scalable approach to easily manage seasonal or short-term demand. This type of scalability is becoming increasingly necessary in the current climate. Demand is fluctuating dramatically, yet overall following an upward trend on a global scale.
Automation provides a long-term solution, while introducing the flexibility needed to handle short-term and seasonal increases in demand.
Increasing flexibility in resource management
Another traditional challenge in seasonal demand is resource management. During peak periods, it has been common practice to temporarily extend the workforce to handle short-term demand. However, this isn’t a cost effective approach and with existing, widespread workforce shortages, businesses face difficulties in engaging dependable short-term contract workers.
With automation, speed and output can be controlled and consistency is guaranteed. This means that at peak times, productivity can be increased and managed by the existing workforce. This can reduce the reliance on temporary staffing and the additional training that is inevitably needed.
In addition, modern packaging machinery is more energy efficient than its traditional counterparts. Because of this, it enables extended operation which can prove useful to businesses of all sizes. Additional shift patterns can be introduced if needed, during periods of seasonal demand increases, for instance. Automating key, pre-determined areas of the packaging line can significantly increase flexibility in resource management at all levels.
How to choose the right upgrades
Because upgrading a packaging line is a major investment for the future, it is important to get it right. There are many options available and where the best solutions are implemented requires investigation and planning. This is where the choice of OEM can provide the most benefits, using experience and knowledge to design a system to suit individual business needs.
Some of the investigations will include, but are not limited to:
- Assessment of the physical space available
- Full review of existing equipment
- Resources requirements - review of energy consumption and power availability
- Determining existing operational processes and goals
During a consultation, a knowledgeable OEM will offer insights into operations and gather the required information to recommend where upgrades will be best placed to achieve both short- and long-term goals.
Talk to us
As packaging machine manufacturers for more than 100 years, we understand how seasonal demand can put pressure on packaging lines of all sizes. We also know how important it is to be able to harness the opportunities that are available during these busy periods.
With demand rising across the world in the packaging industry as shopping habits appear to be changing for the long-term, it makes sense to introduce scalability. Nothing does that better than automation. Talk to us about our automatic and semi-automatic packaging solutions and let us help you prepare.
