Product category:
General packaging materials, equipment and services
News Release from: PALS Precision Applicators | Subject: Semi-automatic labelling system
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 15 August 2005
Semi-automatic labeller improves
response
Integrated into an existing production line, a labelling system is enabling bird feed supplier to respond to a increasing demand for short run, products, while improving productivity and pack quality.
The latest PA10E semi-automatic labelling system, developed and manufactured in the UK by PALS Labelling, is helping Kent based Unipet International automate the packaging and labelling of a wide range of bird feeds Integrated into an existing production line, the PALS labelling system is enabling Unipet to respond to a steady increase in market demand for short run, own-brand products, while improving both productivity and pack quality
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 2 Feb 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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From its factory in Kent, UK, Unipet manufactures, packs and distributes an exclusive range of high quality pet treats and feeds to retailers and wholesalers throughout the world.
One of the key areas of the company's business is the production of wild bird feeds, which are produced in pellet form in a range of flavours, including beef suet, wild berry, selected seeds and insect.
These are typically supplied in 500g pouch packs, labelled with customer brands and supplied to independent pet food and grocery shops and to large multiples.
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Until recently, these packs were filled and packed automatically but labelled by hand.
This process was labour intensive, time consuming and make it difficult to control the accuracy with which labels were applied, with the position of individual labels often varying by up to a centimetre horizontally or vertically on the pack face.
By integrating the PALS PA10E into the existing packaging line Unipet has been able to improve dramatically the speed and precision of its labelling operation.
Director, Andrew Ball, explains that, "The PALS' labelling system has enabled us to improve our levels of productivity and to redeploy staff that were previously involved in hand labelling elsewhere within the factory".
" Perhaps as importantly, the new labelling machine has enabled us significantly to enhance pack quality by reducing variations in the position of labels to less than a millimetre".
Unipet normally uses 110mm2 labels, which are supplied pre-printed with the customer brand, plus product information and weight.
Labels are automatically applied to each pouch pack while it is flat, the pack is then opened, filled, sealed and packed into cartons for delivery.
Ball points out, "Although the process is relatively straightforward its success depends on the accuracy of both the packaging and labelling systems and the integration between them".
" PALS worked closely with us to ensure that the labelling unit met our exact requirements, and as the PA10E is a semi-automatic machine it has enabled us to retain a degree of operator control, and if required, intervention at a competitive cost".
The PA10E has been designed to be simple to set up and use, and can be operated by all members of staff with only a basic amount of training.
In addition, label changeovers, from one brand or product type to another, can be carried out quickly and simply, typically within 15 minutes, to minimise downtime.
Ball concludes that, "The fast changing demands of our customers means that we must react quickly".
" There is also a trend away from long production runs of standard items to much shorter runs of specialised branded goods".
" As a result, we have to run an extremely flexible packaging and labelling operation that can fulfil our customers orders reliably and cost effectively.".
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