Technology is involved in the majority of the world’s industries. With all of the changes that technology has faced in the past decade, and its integration into a variety of industries, there are now many ways to improve processes that businesses perform daily.
Many companies, specifically within the packaging industry, are now considering implementing an automation process – that is, if they haven’t already. Automated production lines are replacing packaging application by hand as a way to increase the efficiency and accuracy of product packaging. While hand application does have its merits, is automation in the packing industry the way forward?
Automated packaging processes can be much more effective than hand application packaging. An automated packing system is ideal for speed and provides maximum amounts of completed pieces, in comparison to that of manual hand production. Ultimately, automated packaging machines work faster than a team of people. As a result of this, you can produce more packaged products, making it an ideal choice for bigger businesses that require larger batches of goods. There is also a smaller margin for error with an automated process, ensuring less wastage overall.
It can be very easy to forget how much money you are saving when contemplating an expensive automated system, or the return on investment. Selecting automation as your packaging method also removes the need for hand labour, which can ultimately save you money in the long run – even if the automated process is an investment upfront. With the number of products that you can mass package with an automated packaging system paired with the reduced waste, not only is the equipment paying for itself, but in the long run, the whole operation is more cost-effective.
While automated packaging has its advantages over manual packaging in terms of speed and efficiency, hand application has one thing that automation doesn’t – uniqueness. With hand-crafted packaging you are creating a special one-of-a-kind product, very different from the mass-produced products that sit on shop shelves. For small batches of products or start-up brands, hand application offers creative handiwork that feels special – and can appear more luxurious. Manual packaging is ideal for small batch products as it is more cost-effective to hand package a small batch of products than to have them packed by an automated packaging system.
It is understandable why, in regards to large batches of products, hand application can be deemed unsuitable or even unmanageable. However, manual packaging creates a highly sought after effect, that is appropriate and fitting for small batches of a product. Hand application is also a great solution for odd or uniquely shaped products, as automated packaging systems are not as flexible when it comes to packaging unconventionally-shaped goods.
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