Can automation be the salvation of packaging?

John Kalkowski, Editorial Director -- Packaging Digest, 12/1/2008 2:00:00 AM

As 2008 draws to a close, it's interesting to look back at a year literally filled with highs and lows. Early in the year, everything was looking up for packaging. Packagers and their suppliers were riding high and making plans for growth. Then the global economy was roiled, and the future suddenly seemed somewhat murky.

However, one thing is clear: Packagers are increasingly reliant on automating their processes to stay competitive. Packaging Digest and its sister publication, Control Engineering, recently completed the final phase of a three-part, year-long study benchmarking automation in packaging. This comprehensive study confirms that packagers are accelerating their moves toward automation, and original equipment manufacturers and system integrators are stepping up with innovative approaches to simplify complex processes.

For anyone who attended the recent PACK EXPO Internationl 2008 in Chicago, the evidence of automation's inroads was readily apparent. While sustainability was the show's major theme, automation was the star on the show floor, where you could see a sparkling array of robotics as well as integrated systems that span forming and filling to cartoning and palletizing.

Volume 3 of our Automation in Packaging Benchmark Study looks at the central and growing role that system integrators play. Many packagers have cut back their own engineering staff, so when they install a new packaging line or upgrade existing equipment, they must must rely on system integrators. These professionals are up-to-date on automation developments and can help packagers design and implement systems from multiple OEMs that optimize production.

This phase completes a 360-degree view of packaging automation that began in April with a market overview from the end users' point of view. It continued with the perspectives of OEMs and sytem integrators. While all three groups showed similarities, there also are thought-provoking differences on the expected course of the industry and the performance of each group. For full research results, visit packagingdigest.com/automationresearch. Also, plan to register for a webcast in mid-December that will analyze the results of all phases of this benchmarking research.

In this issue, Packaging Digest also names its first “Packaging Integrator of the Year,” recognizing JMP Eng. of London, ON. For a profile of JMP's packaging contributions, see the story on p. 36.

Talkback

We would love your feedback!

Featured Company

SATO

SATO is a pioneer and leading global provider of integrated Automatic Identification and Data Collection solutions that leverage barcode and RFID technologies. SATO manufactures innovative, reliable auto-identification systems and offers complete... more
ECONOCORP, INC.

ECONOCORP, INC. is a leading worldwide manufacturer of ECONOSEAL cartoning, trayforming, and casepacking caters to moderate volume users and features simplicity in design, operation, and maintenance. ECONOSEALS handle paperboard and corrugated... more
QuickLabel Systems

QuickLabel Systems makes and sells digital color label printers and barcode label printers for use by manufacturers of foods, beverages, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and more... more
Bosch Packaging Technology

Bosch Packaging Technology, Inc. is one of the world's leading suppliers of packaging machinery. Our diverse portfolio of packaging machines, including the well known Doboy brand, includes robotic automation with pick & place robots (delta robots)... more
Hitachi America, Ltd.

Hitachi America Ltd., Industrial Components & Equipment Division, supplies a broad range of industrial products and services. The division supplies sophisticated industrial equipment, components and services for application in pharmaceutical... more
Markem-Imaje

Markem-Imaje is a trusted world manufacturer of product identification and traceability solutions, offering a full line of reliable and innovative inkjet, thermal transfer, laser, print and apply label systems and RFID-based systems. Markem-Imaje... more
Fogg Filler

Fogg is a world leader in the design and manufacture of rotary filling, rinsing, capping and enclosure systems for free flowing and viscous liquids. Fogg serves a growing number of dairy, spirits, water, food and beverage, pharmaceutical and... more
Markem-Imaje is a trusted world manufacturer of product identification and traceability solutions, offering a full line of reliable and innovative inkjet, thermal transfer, laser, print and apply label systems and RFID-based systems. Markem-Imaje... more
Microscan Systems, Inc.

Microscan develops barcode and machine vision products that help manufacturers reduce costs, increase yields, improve product quality, and comply with regulations. Designed for precision applications, Microscan's line of 1D and 2D barcode readers... more
Thermo Scientific

Thermo Scientific Product Inspection and Processing equipment protects your brands by ensuring the quality, accuracy, efficiency and safety of your products. With more than 50 years of making sure little things don't turn into big problems, we know... more
Domino North America

DOMINO is one of the world's largest manufacturers of digital printing solutions and is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange. Our products are used for date coding, product marking, serialization and variable printing. Among our customers... more
Teledyne DALSA

Teledyne DALSA is a world leader in the design, manufacture and deployment of digital imaging components for the machine vision market. Teledyne DALSA image sensors, cameras, smart cameras, frame grabbers, software and vision solutions are used in... more