Maximising throughput – study from Antalis Packaging

Antalis Packaging has worked with a leading wholesaler to redesign a high-volume packing area to enable workers to socially distance.

With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the client needed help with redesigning their packing area so their staff could resume work in a Covid-safe environment that was also more efficient.

The challenge 

The client packs a wide range of food and goods in the warehouse ready for distribution to its retail stores, but the existing set up made it difficult to achieve the high-volume throughput required with fewer staff on the ground. The client had purchased Lantech case erectors and sealers previously from Antalis, so they knew they had the know-how required to provide support. Efficiency and health and safety were of paramount importance for the project.

The Antalis solution

A redesign of the packing line to include two Lantech C1000 case erectors and two CS300 sealers – connected by a series of conveyors for moving filled boxes to the palletising station.

The process 

The Antalis Packaging team visited the client’s site to assess the need, including the volume of product to be packed, and the area allocated to the packing process. Having gathered the information, the Antalis machinery team configured a packing process that would provide optimum efficiency relative to the space, number of packers, and products being packed. The proposed solution comprised two Lantech C1000 carton erectors, two Lantech CS300 sealing machines, and a series of bespoke conveyors that would move boxes.
Finally, the client agreed to the proposal put forward, and the Antalis machinery team installed the equipment, testing the configuration in situ to ensure all was running as required.

The benefits 

The client now has improved efficiency, with up to 30 cartons per minute being erected and sealed, with staff able to maintain social distancing. Antalis’ machinery team are also available for ongoing technical support and servicing.

Mick Carless, Machinery & Systems Operations Manager, Antalis UK, comments: “By redesigning the layout of the packing area and introducing additional packaging machinery, we were able to help them to maximise throughput with minimal staff. As the client is a large wholesaler the speed of turnaround was crucial, and we were able to help them achieve their goal by responding quickly at every step, from planning the optimum layout to delivering and installing the equipment, most of which came straight from our stocks.”