Packaging Handling

Source reduction stretches wrapping operations
Dan Schmidt, ITW Muller, December 1, 2011
Stretch wrapping has become recognized as a critical component in making sure product arrives in the condition intended. More
Quick makeover
Posted by Jack Mans, Plant Operations Editor, November 29, 2011
L'Oréal Canada needed to set up a packaging line in Montreal for hair coloring products-fast. Sales of the company's new INOA brand ammonia-free hair color packaged in 0.28-oz. tubes was booming, and the plant had only four months to begin large volume production of the new product. The highlight of the solution was a new, small robot that could handle the small tubes. More
Intelligrated expansion to add hundreds of jobs
Posted by Jenni Spinner, Senior Editor, November 22, 2011
Automated material handling equipment firm Intelligrated is expanding its Mason, OH, headquarters. The move is expected to bring 200 new jobs to the area. More
Manufacturer safely ships electrical wire reels customer-preferred way
Posted by Lisa McTigue Pierce, November 18, 2011
New packaging and processes are helping Cerro Wire LLC improve the safety and efficiency of storing and shipping reels of copper electrical building wire and cable. "We have given a tremendous amount of thought to developing packaging and shipping techniques that help our customers tell how much of each type of stock keeping unit is on a pallet," says Barry Medendorp, director of supply chain. "Nothing is hidden, labels face out and we layer all goods; we also group items together so products are easy to locate." More
GS1 Connect 2012 conference details announced
Posted by Lisa McTigue Pierce, November 17, 2011
Newly named GS1 Connect 2012, with the theme, "Business Moving Forward," continues the model of a conference planned by industry, for industry. The annual conference for supply-chain executives and professionals will be held June 4 to 7, 2012, at the Aria Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, says its host GS1 US. More
Temperature-monitoring labels
Posted by Lisa McTigue Pierce, November 17, 2011
XpressPDF temperature-monitoring labels keep track of time and temperature of perishable items such as food, vaccines, pharmaceuticals, biologics and other perishable products during distribution and storage. About the size of a sugar packet, labels are flat and feature an integrated USB connection point, which can be plugged directly into the USB port of a computer. More
PMMI announces next leaders and new members
Posted by Lisa McTigue Pierce, November 9, 2011
On Nov. 7, 2011, at its annual meeting, PMMI announced its next board of directors, retained its Executive Committee and voted in 22 new company members. More
Lightweight pallet
Posted by Lisa McTigue Pierce, November 9, 2011
The CPP 130 is the first nestable lightweight pallet that is compatible with all roller and chain conveyor systems, the company states. This pallet's specially designed bottom support enables nestability and transportation on automated conveyor systems, and the pallet features a large contact area of 12-ft. More
Packaging service tackles container reconditioning, waste reduction
Posted by Jenni Spinner, Senior Editor, November 7, 2011
EarthMinded Life Cycle Services is geared toward developing new technology and business practices for industrial container reconditioning, reducing packaging waste and increasing sustainability. Program partners include Greif, Drumco, Mid-America Steel Drum Co. and others. More
Record-busting PACK EXPO shows off
The Packaging Digest editorial staff, November 1, 2011
Crowds packed the exhibit halls to see the latest products and technologies that could give them an edge in packaging development and operations. Did you see these? More
Report: More than one-fifth of seafood mislabeled
Posted by Jenni Spinner, Senior Editor, November 1, 2011
An investigation by Consumer Reports found that more than one-fifth of seafood tested were mislabeled. The products were labeled as the wrong species of fish, incompletely labeled or misidentified by employees. More
Packaging Media Group expands its business and content teams
Posted by Jenni Spinner, Senior Editor, October 25, 2011
UBM Canon--the trade publishing firm that owns PACKAGING DIGEST and other industry titles--has promoted Steve Everly to Brand Director, Packaging. The company also has hired Jenni Spinner as Senior Editor. More
Robotic palletizer
John Kalkowski, October 24, 2011
Add-a-Pal turns a new or existing Schneider case packer into an economical case packer/palletizer. Add-a-Pal is designed as a "plug-in" robotic palletizer. Using the Schneider case packer's PLC controls to operate the palletizer, the case packer/palletizer system completes these functions in minimal floor space. Using a FANUC robot capable of up to 30 picks per minute, the Add-a-Pal enables high throughput. Custom end-of-arm tooling options include vacuum, mechanical, fork, or a combination of theseand slip sheet handling to pick product, stack in the required pattern and palletize. More
FDA: Packing plant a likely factor in the deadly cantaloupe listeria outbreak
Posted by Lisa McTigue Pierce, October 20, 2011
The Food and Drug Administration has identified unsanitary conditions at the Jensen Farms' packing plant as a probable factor in the contamination of fresh, whole cantaloupes, which caused a multi-state outbreak of listeriosis that killed 25 and sickened 123 people in 26 states as of Oct. 18, 2011, according to the CDC. More
Multipack solution
Posted by Lisa McTigue Pierce, October 20, 2011
The company has reduced the quantity of material/pack by almost 17 percent by substantially strengthening the material, so less material performs in exactly the same way. The reduction in material has a huge impact on the supply chain and generates cost savings from creation to disposal. More
Roller-shade maker sees sunny days with protective shipper
Edited by Lisa McTigue Pierce, October 19, 2011
SW Sun Control Products Inc. switched from shipping tubes to a custom UCrate shipper for its exterior roller shade systems used in residential and commercial applications. "It's so much easier to package our shades using UCrates than the previous method," owner Billie Meuschke says. "We've experienced significant savings in labor. With UCrate, it takes a third of the time to package our shades than before. If we were still using shipping tubes, we'd probably be months behind in our orders." More
Pallet stabilizing system
Posted by Lisa McTigue Pierce, October 19, 2011
New Sur-Stak pallet stabilizing system uses anti-slip paper to stabilize boxes, bags, cartons, glass or plastic packaging. The use of this paper can help reduce material costs by eliminating damaged goods during shipping and handling. More
Manufacturer recalls 15,000 lbs of mislabeled burritos
Posted by Jenni Spinner, Senior Editor, October 18, 2011
Phil's Fresh Foods Inc. has recalled more than 15,000 lbs. of its Evol Burritos products. Packaging of the Fire Grilled Chicken Fajita and Fire Grilled Steak burritos reportedly had been switched during two days of production in February, causing the two items to be mislabeled. More
High-speed feeder
Jenni Spinner, October 18, 2011
The HS-8 electromagnetic vibratory feeder, with quick stop and high conveying speed capabilities, is designed to deliver a high degree of efficiency in packaging, weighing, batching and bagging operations. The unit can be used with a range of weigh-scale and packaging machines. More
PACKAGING BRIEFS Tuesday, October 18
Posted by Jenni Spinner, Senior Editor, October 18, 2011
People, services, awards and news about the packaging industry. More