Improving Packaging Productivity and Reducing Labour with Tape It Right

Case Study: Offset Printer

Overview

An offset printer, located in Kitchener, Ontario, was experiencing issues when packaging their cartons. They had recently experienced huge growth and their current packaging process could not keep up. The customer was currently using hand tape with tape guns to seal all the cartons. This was causing a bottleneck as hand tape dispensers are not ideal for high volume.

Our Packaging Specialist visited the Printer’s facility to conduct a Tape It Right audit and assess their current carton sealing process. The Packaging Specialist discovered that the Offset Printer could benefit from automating their box sealing process. A Little David SP-304 Semi-Automatic Case Sealer was recommended along with the use of machine grade tape.

The Printer tested out the SP-304 Semi-Automatic Case Sealer at Crawford Waterloo and decided it was a great fit for them. They were able to increase their packaging capacity by over 30% since switching over from hand dispensers to a the SP-304 Case Sealer.

Challenge

An Offset Printer was experiencing exponential growth and had trouble keeping up with the increased production. The Printer was hand sealing most of the cartons. This was creating a bottleneck and a new solution was needed to fix this setback.

 

Process

A Crawford Packaging Specialist met with the Printer’s Maintenance Manager to conduct a Tape It Right audit and assess their current carton sealing process. After reviewing the procedures, the Packaging Specialist discovered it would be best for the Printer to automate the carton sealing process. Hand sealing the cartons was slow and the customer needed to speed up this process to avoid the bottleneck. 

After the recommendation was made, the Printer visited Crawford Waterloo to test out a Little David SP-304 Semi-Automatic Case Sealer to ensure it fits their needs. The Printer brought some of their main cartons to run through the demonstration SP-304 Case Sealer.

Solution:

Tape It Right

Tape It Right works with clients to audit and review their existing case sealing practices and equipment. This will improve sealing efficiency and productivity through the identification and standardization of improved case sealing practices. Through this standardization, Tape It Right has helped businesses save up to 30% on their annual carton sealing costs.

 

The Packaging Specialist recommended adding a semi-automatic case sealer to the current packaging line along with a machine grade packaging tape. The Loveshaw SP-304 can transition from a top and bottom uniform case sealer, to a bottom sealing case erector. The SP-304 can erect and form cases at a rate of 15 boxes a minute.

Results

This knowledge-based case sealing solution has helped the Printer to greatly increase productivity. The Printer no longer wastes time hand sealing cartons. The Little David SP-304 Case Sealing solution has decreased the Printer’s labour by reducing the number of employees sealing cases.

 

Increased Productivity

The Printer has increased their packaging capacity by over 30% since implementing the SP-304 Semi-Automatic Case Sealer into their production line.

 

Reduced Labour

The Printer’s labour was significantly reduced. In the past, the Printer had two to three employees sealing cartons all day long. With the SP-304 Semi-Automatic Case Sealing Machine, the Printer only requires one employee and is saving substantial amounts in labour costs.

 

Reduced Waste

The Printer reduced waste by using less tape per carton. When hand taping, the operators were using at least 2 strands of tape on the top and bottom of the carton. With the SP-304 Semi-Automatic Case Sealer, the operators are now only using 1 strand on the top and bottom of the box.

 

Reduced Damage

The new case sealer provides a consistent pressure when applying the tape. When hand sealing, the operator must apply pressure by hand which will not always be consistent. With the SP-304 Semi-Automatic Case Sealer, there is a decreased chance that the tape seal will split therefore leading to decreased product damage.

 

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