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Packaging Automation—Is It Right for Your Business?
In today’s rapidly evolving manufacturing landscape, operations managers are constantly challenged to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and maintain...
3 min read
Brenathia Tenner
:
July 10, 2024
New and existing business owners are constantly looking for ways to improve efficiency, reduce costs, enhance customer satisfaction, reduce injuries, and keep up with their industry demand.
However, they tend to overlook their packaging and shipping process, which can become costly over a long period of time. One aspect of the packaging and shipping process that is commonly overlooked is case sealing.
In this blog, we will cover the benefits of installing a case sealer and how to determine if it’s time for you to add one to your packaging operation. First, let’s cover what is a case sealer.
A case sealer is a machine designed to seal and secure the tops and bottoms of corrugated boxes. It typically requires hot melt or acrylic machine tape to create a strong and secure seal; however, depending on the machine and brand, water-activated tape may be required. Case sealers are offered in various shapes, sizes, and metals and generally come standard with a top and bottom tape head. Buyers can choose a semi- or automatic case sealer depending on their operation's needs.
Now that we've covered what a case sealer is let's discuss how to determine whether you should add one to your packaging operation.
Determining whether you need a case sealer depends on your packaging volume. If your business regularly deals with a high volume of orders, a case sealer would be a valuable asset to own. Investing in a case sealer would automate the carton sealing process, enabling your business to handle larger volumes efficiently and save on tape usage.
Evaluate your business's labor needs during peak season and identify if you have a labor shortage. Depending on your business's daily shipping volume, manually sealing boxes can be time-consuming, which increases labor costs. For companies with labor shortages in their end-of-line packaging operations, manually sealing cartons can become the bottleneck in the packaging process.
Therefore, if you are facing labor shortages or struggling to meet shipping requirements in your end-of-line packaging, investing in a case sealer would be a game changer.
Consistency in packaging is crucial for maintaining the integrity of your products and building customer trust. Case sealers eliminate inconsistencies and improperly sealed boxes that may compromise product safety. They also provide consistent and secure sealing, which helps to ensure that every box is sealed the same way. If packaging consistency and your brand appearance are important to you and your customers, purchasing a case sealer is a valuable tool to consider.
Purchasing a case sealer can improve efficiency in several ways. First, it enables businesses to seal cases at a much faster rate than they would manually seal cases. On average, a standard case sealer can seal 20 cases per minute. Secondly, it reduces the risk of product damage during shipping, minimizing returns or the need for replacements due to inconsistent sealed cartons. Case sealers also reduce potential injuries associated with repetitive case sealing. For larger packaging lines, an automatic case sealer can be integrated in-line with conveyors and case erectors, creating a seamless packaging operation.
Standard case sealer costs can range from $4,500 to $9,000; while that cost may seem significant, it is important to consider the long-term benefits. Case sealers offer durability and reliability and will be a valuable tool for your business for years. The cost savings in labor, tape, preventing product damage, and increasing your business's packaging and shipping efficiency will quickly offset the investment.
If you’re worried about repairs and or downtime, don’t worry. At BradyPLUS, we offer industry-leading repair services nationwide. Our equipment specialists and technicians are highly trained and dedicated to helping our customers.
By evaluating your packaging volume, assessing labor costs, prioritizing efficiency, and considering the long-term benefits, you might find that integrating a case sealer could significantly help your business. Case sealers are investments not just in your packaging operations but also in your brand image and customer satisfaction.
The numerous benefits of a case sealer, such as labor expense savings, reduced product damage, and increased efficiency, can quickly offset the initial investment while creating a safer and more comfortable working environment for your employees, leading to increased productivity.
If you want to know more about how adding a case sealer can help you save your business money while making your packaging operation more efficient and managing your labor needs during peak season, connect with our equipment specialist.
At BradyPLUS, we are thrilled to help you discover the best case sealer options for your industry and business needs.
⬇️ Contact us to start automating your business today.
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