Many manufacturers in 2021 saw increased demand, supply chain shortages, labor shortages, and let’s not forget the ever-present threat Coronavirus had on keeping your doors open. Whether you’ve jumped one or all of these hurdles, one thing is for sure… 2021 has left us all saying, ‘oh brother, what’s next!?’ 2022 as yet remains shrouded in mystery, so to quell your anticipatory anxiety, here are two DO’s and two DON’Ts that the experts at Best Packaging recommend to help you ‘baton the hatches’ to your end of line and prepare for whatever comes next.
Don’t
Fall behind on Preventative Maintenance
When you’re constantly adapting to new circumstances, everyday maintenance tends to fall by the wayside. But that’s precisely when it is needed most! Failure to regularly clean, lube and exchange worn parts can escalate a minor breakdown to a total catastrophe. Consider boosting your PM plan with performance monitoring technology. By combining line counter data with hands-on technician experience, you’ll get the clearest insight to predict wear and tear issues.
Overspend on Disposables
Disposables like stretch film, tape, and corrugate are called such because they are intended to be used once and thrown away. When you spend more than you need on single-use materials, you are essentially just throwing your money away! This happens when case tapers require more than one pass, when stretch film is so thin that it requires additional wraps, or when your cases are thicker than necessary for your application. Getting the right thickness or tension is a delicate science best left to an expert. Find out where you could be saving money by having our team of production line designers (and an ASTM contributor!) audit your plant for inefficiencies.
Do
Explore Automation
Integration doesn’t JUST mean robots. Advancements in manufacturing technology have steadily been picking up steam over the past few years. The infrastructure is finally available to make Industry 4.0 technology not only feasible for the average manufacturer, but affordable too. Take a few baby steps into the vast realm of IIOT (Industrial Internet Of Things) by implementing sensor automation with PLC integration to your existing equipment.
Take Care of Your Team
At a time when labor is scarce and employee welfare is ever the subject of public scrutiny, consider what you could be doing to improve plant safety or reduce the strain on your machine operators and material handlers. For example, graduating to a semi-automatic packing system, like a Wexxar Bel 507 & 150 combo that features a tilted packing station for better ergonomics could increase your packages per minute and still keep your valued workforce comfortable while performing repetitive motions.
If you are interested in exploring any of the solutions we suggested above, we’d love to get in touch! Or, if you need something more specific, Best Packaging is happy to assess your current production line to create a more personalized recommendation for improvements to your system. Contact us for more info!
In Best Packaging’s home state of Illinois, we have recently returned to full capacity following the coronavirus pandemic. Situational obstacles in production are rebounding, yet lead times on new packaging equipment remain upwards of 16 weeks, causing manufacturers from all sectors to trip at the finish line in terms of recovering from production loss. While nothing beats that “new car smell,” i.e. the smartest automatic packaging equipment straight from its production floor to yours, Best Packaging offers a number of transitional solutions to assist in the present supply chain bottleneck and future scarcities.
Over the past year, our certified refurbished equipment proved to be a clutch play for many operations managers who were in dire straits as they awaited the arrival of their OEM orders. Our machines are available for rent or purchase, so regardless of whether it is needed as a patch or a permanent fixture, Best Packaging has a solution. Our like-new packaging equipment must pass a five-point inspection to ensure optimal function before leaving our facility.
Best Packaging’s responsive, continuous support provides an added layer of security against mechanical malfunction. We offer comprehensive ongoing assistance for all machines we sell. For local customers, that means a service visit within 48 hours of your request. We are also happy to assist customers over the phone to troubleshoot technical difficulties with their machine.
Not in a bind yet? Let’s keep it that way! In addition to whole-machine solutions, Best Packaging also has options to maximize the lifespan of your existing equipment and prevent OEM delays from affecting you. The best way you can ensure your packaging equipment does not cause unwanted downtime is through a preventative maintenance program. With our help, new parts can be ordered before the old ones have reached the end of their lifecycle, reducing or eliminating the wait for OEM parts. Our technicians diligently take notes with each service and monitor components that are showing signs of wear and tear. No replacement parts are ordered without customer approval, so you’re never on the hook for something you don’t need.
As a machinery dealer/distributor, we look to the same OEMs to supply the factory-original parts used in our repairs and refurbishments. We have been in constant communication with our OEMs to monitor the status of lead times and what mitigations are being enacted to remedy the increasing turnaround time. Our goal is to be as transparent as possible regarding any potential delays due to the availability of parts. Undoubtedly, we are all sick of hearing “we’re all in this together,” as no two situations are truly alike, but we are optimistic that this period of tribulation is nearing an end. If OEM delays are threatening your production line in ways that could not be improved by the aforementioned stopgaps, please do not hesitate to contact Best Packaging. As a medium-sized service provider we take a personalized, custom approach to your line. And, as an independent distributor, there are no hidden agendas, insuring the absolute best solution for you.
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The Best Packaging team recently completed a full refurbishment, taking a severely damaged stretch wrapper and restoring it to like-new condition.
This Q300 Turntable Stretch Wrapper arrived at Best Packaging in considerably rough condition. In its previous operation, it had suffered a forklift collision that left the turntable base compromised. Due to a lack of care and preventative maintenance, it developed considerable rust in the structure and key-wear components. The pre-stretch rollers, which are instrumental in creating appropriate stretch elasticity and containment force, were inoperative.
Upon refurbishment, all of Best Packaging’s resale equipment receives a 5-point inspection. This guarantees that our “gold star” machinery has undergone:
- Safety inspection and testing
- Electrical component assessments
- Mechanical assessments
- Pneumatics testing
- Esthetic enhancements (fresh paint, rulers, and labels)
After much hard work and attention to detail, the Q300 is now fully restored and ready to wrap pallets in its new production facility home.
The refurbished machinery market is both economically and environmentally friendly. It allows used equipment to elongate its useful life. Sellers are provided with positive cash flow and purchasers receive cost savings.
You can help Best Packaging recycle idle machinery by contacting us when you’re looking to update or liquidate your inventory.
If you are interested in selling, please contact our sales team at sales@bestpackaging.com.
If you are looking to purchase certified refurbished equipment, please visit our refurbished inventory page.
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Monday morning. You go to flip the power switch to your stretch wrapper only to find it is DOA. Two service repairs for this machine in 6 months and it’s creeping up to the 10-year mark.
Is it time to pitch it and get a new one? Let us walk you through how to make this determination.
There are five key factors that should be considered about your fickle machine:
- Age
- Environment
- Application
- Usage
- Maintenance History
Understand that the information on these factors is best interpreted as a whole, as opposed to each specific element on its own.
Age: How old a stretch wrapper is, needs to be considered. As a general statement, as a piece of equipment ages, the cost of ownership will increase. Warranties typically expire within the first three years of ownership and after the first five years of use, it is not uncommon to start seeing major component failure/replacement. Additionally, the ongoing changes in technology can have an impact on the useful life of your equipment. Lastly, as a stretch wrapper ages, parts availability may become scarcer which will increase repair costs and increase downtime.
Environment: Based on what type of environment a stretch wrapper is required to work in does have a significant effect on its longevity. Work areas with caustic or extreme environments will need to be cycled out more frequently and will be more expensive to repair. It goes without saying but there is a big difference between a ten-year-old stretch wrapper that is working in a freezer vs. a stretch wrapper that is used in a distribution building. Film stretches much differently in a cold environment, changing how well a pallet is wrapped and how much film is used. Knowing what the life expectancy is of equipment in your specific environment is necessary when asking the repair vs. replace question.
Application: Arguably this category could fall under work environment, but the fundamental difference is the environment is “where” the stretch wrapper is being used whereas application is more the “how” it’s being used. For example, utilizing a pallet truck to load and unload tractor-trailers filled with maximum capacity pallets would have more wear and tear occur than using a pallet truck to transport light loads from one side of a facility to another over smooth concrete floors
Usage: Total hours of use on a stretch wrapper is like an odometer on a passenger car. The question that may come up with a car with high miles would be “should I replace my transmission on my 200,000-mile car or is it time to buy a new one”. The same thing could be said about stretch wrapper rotations. The problem is you must consider more than just the high miles, and this is where the application factor comes into play. As mentioned earlier, the whole of the factors is greater than the individual parts.
Maintenance History: The last factor that also needs to be considered is total maintenance history. It is critical to be aware of the maintenance history when asking the repair vs. replace question and has to do with more than just maintenance cost. You need to be aware of what type of maintenance has been done. Has the stretch wrapper been on an ongoing scheduled maintenance plan? Has this wrapper had a history of damage from forklifts? What major components have been repaired? Is there a history of intermittent issues? What have been the most common repairs? All these factors will help determine if it’s time to continue repairing or if it’s time for a replacement.
Making the decision to repair or replace is an important part of ensuring your end of line packaging equipment is operating at optimum cost and performance. Understanding all the elements that both make and drive overall cost of ownership will ensure that when the time comes you are making the best decision. The key to doing this effectively is not to look at each factor individually but how all of them come together in your specific operation. Understanding what exactly those factors are and the relationship between each will ensure you are making the best decision when the time comes to make the decision on whether to repair or replace.
Let Best Packaging help you by evaluating your stretch wrapper(s), or any other aging packaging equipment you have on your line. Contact us at 888-930-BEST for more details.
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The success of your operation often relies on the quality of your service technicians to keep your business operating when production volumes are high. It’s important to consider the following points when choosing a service provider that will keep your machines running.
Experience
A qualified technician will be able to repair a variety of makes and models of various machines. Best Packaging, for example, employs only the most experienced and qualified technicians. Our techs have 30+ years of combined experience in the field troubleshooting and repairing end of line packaging equipment.
Value
It’s much more cost effective to maintain than it is to repair. Postponing the maintenance of your equipment could result in a sudden breakdown, forcing you to pay for a more expensive repair. Furthermore, when machines are down this interrupts your ability to do business. A good service technician knows that regular maintenance can make a line last for years. Best Packaging understands the value in preserving your machines. We can create a proper maintenance schedule based on the condition of your equipment to keep you operating optimally. We’ll set up a schedule that best fits around your production and advise when your next PM service comes due. Be weary of companies that don’t offer this service.
Quality Service
A good technician takes the time to do things right and has the customer’s best interest in mind. At Best Packaging, customer satisfaction is our driving force. It is our goal is to provide you with the highest quality service that is going to make your machines more productive and efficient. We are also a leader in innovative designs and we can tailor solutions to meet your specific needs. We’re not attached to one brand, so we won’t force products on you that don’t fit your needs. In fact, our knowledge of numerous brands helps us come up with solutions not conceived by many manufacturers. Choosing the right service provider can help prevent costly repairs and can increase your equipment’s life expectancy.
At Best Packaging, we do more than just repairs. We offer programming and electrical services, as well as retrofits and upgrades to enhance your packaging line while decreasing costs. We service all types of equipment, including stretch wrappers, shrink wrap machines, case tape machines, banding machines, strapping machines, case erectors, and conveyors. If you’re in need of end of line packaging service, call (888) 930 BEST to speak with a tech today.
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Whether you need a consultation on your machines, a preventative maintenance program or a reliable emergency service team, Best Packaging is here to help! Last month, we were called on by a customer who had purchased a used Priority One Depalletizer. Initially, the plant planned on utilizing their in-house technicians to assemble the machine; however when the machine arrived, the task proved to be beyond what they could handle. When the Best Packaging technicians arrived, they discovered the machine had been carelessly disassembled. All the wires had been cut from control panel and no parts were labeled proving this would be a challenging repair both mechanically and electrically. The Best Packaging technicians managed to trace all of the wiring, rewire the control panel and bring the machine to life. Once our technicians managed to turn on the machine, it required extensive troubleshooting and debugging. After a bit of fine tuning, the Best Packaging technicians had the equipment is working good as new, and all problems were resolved. If you’re experiencing issues with your packaging equipment, give us a call at (888) 930 BEST.
What’s your take? We welcome guest bloggers! E-mail socialmedia@bestpackaging.com if you’d ever like to collaborate.
As an end of line service provider, we are constantly being called upon to assess, troubleshoot, and optimize complex packaging lines. You’d be surprised at how many plants we’ve walked in to that don’t enforce safety regulations. Here are four best practices to help improve warehouse safety
When a machine is down, hire an expert. Injuries are most common in plants that don’t keep up with maintenance on the equipment used to perform their jobs. If your automatic stretch wrapper isn’t working well, what originally began as an automated process is now a manual operation. All the bending, pulling, and twisting involved with manual wrapping could potentially expose these workers to injury. Having unknowledgeable workers troubleshoot a machine will only cause more harm than good. By hiring an experienced professional to do the repair, they’ll be able to offer valuable preventative maintenance advice that will help you avoid more problems in the future.
Take measures to isolate operating machinery with proper guarding. Most of our customers operate very complex manufacturing lines. Although these machines have some of the most advanced capabilities, they can be dangerous if the proper safety systems aren’t in place. While machines can’t prevent employee negligence, actions can be taken to restrict access to hazardous areas. Most stretch wrappers now come with a safety guard gate option. This feature is designed to keep employees safe by providing a physical barrier that can prevent an employee from entering into a danger zone during the operating cycle.
Include cross training for all warehouse employees. The majority of the workman’s compensation incidents occur when an employee moves from one department to another. During times when one area of the plant is slow, managers will usually re-position their workers to lend a hand to a busy area. When employees are transferred but not properly training they are put at a higher risk of injury.
Make certain the aisles are kept clean and clear. Free the area of objects or obstacles that might interfere with a forklift driver’s ability to have a clear path. Clean up any litter that might have been left behind on the warehouse floors. It’s also important to allow enough space for multiple forklifts to pass through the aisles. After all, the last thing you want is to encounter pallets collapsing because a forklift couldn’t maneuver through a crowded lane. Once you have arranged a wide-enough space, mark the floor with arrows that designate lanes specifically for trucks and employees to pass through.
Take the time to identify where an operation exposes an employee to injury, and take action to implement a safe work environment before it’s too late.To enroll in a preventative maintenance program, or if you suspect one of your machines is not operating properly, give us a call to schedule an inspection at (888) 930 BEST or click here.
What’s your take? We welcome guest bloggers! E-mail socialmedia@bestpackaging.com if you’d ever like to collaborate.