Huge potential exists for packaging automation

Recently, I have had occasion to visit a variety of packaging plants the likes of which I never saw in my first career of 28 years. I had no idea that there were US packagers that were throwing so much labor at their operations. Even 30 years ago, I didn't see these labor levels in the industry segments in which I was involved.

Some of the operations in the factories that I have been visiting can be automated relatively easily by conventional hard automation. Others, due to the irregularity of the products to be packaged (e.g. fresh food) will require a carefully engineered combination of vision and robotics.

Robotics has been relatively slow to catch on among US packagers. However, with key patents recently expiring in Europe and about to expire in the US, there will soon be an influx of new players in the robotic packaging business. When new players enter an area like this, several things are likely. There will be a significant number of failures due to the newcomers' lack of experience. But these same newcomers will bring innovation, some of which will be very successful. Established players will face price preasure and competitive challenges, but should see business growth if their cost and organizational structures are sound.

If you are a packaging machinery manufacturer that is open to new ideas in mechatronics, motion control and robotics, there should be a tremendous amount of opportunity awaiting you. If you are a behind-the-times packager and are open to employing these same technologies, there should be some great automation cost savings in your future.

I am finding that the potential for packaging automation in the US is greater than I ever imagined. It is huge! Capture the moment!

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Comments Keith, Every now and then we read something and wonder how other people can know what we are doing without meeting us. That's how I read your article "On The Edge" July 22, 2007. Paul Appelbaum Posted by: Paul Appelbaum on July 30, 2007 Post a comment (If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.) Name: Email Address: URL: Remember personal info? Comments: (you may use HTML tags for style)