There is no “right or wrong” method to choosing the appropriate cartoning
machine for a given application. In fact, it should often be a somewhat personal
method that yields results that you are comfortable with and can justify from a
business point of view. However, I have seen many people struggle with this task
over the years, often confused by the large array of choices worldwide as well as
some ambiguous advice.

The five step guideline that I am suggesting is as a result of watching people go
through their decision making process for more than 25 years. This step by step
process is from observations of the cartoning machinery sales experience in over
eighty countries for the full array of products to be packaged in cartons,
including food household goods, pharmaceutical, industrial, automotive,
chemical, and so forth. I believe these steps equally apply to both small and large
companies, although the decision-making process and technical resources can
often be very different. There is no question that other steps or factors can be
added to this guide. However, I felt that since this buying (or leasing) decision
path is still somewhat of a personal or company philosophical process, keeping
the steps limited to “the basics”, without bias to a particular market or strategy,
would help it apply as an introductory approach on a broader scale.
If you are involved, or going to be involved soon, in deciding what type of
cartoning machine to acquire, I suggest that you and/or your buying team
include the following five steps.

STEP 1 – ESTABLISH A BUDGET FOR THE PROJECT

The fact is that you and your buying team know your process better than
anyone. The desire to purchase (or lease) a cartoning machine is typically driven
by the desire to more efficiently package your product, improve ergonomics
(eliminate repetitive motion injuries), and/or improve the aesthetics of your
package. You must analyze your present process as well as your goals to improve
this process. In some cases, it may be nothing more than to make your carton
more tamper resistant while, in other cases, it may be to eliminate as much labor
in the process as practical.

This decision to automate your cartoning operation should be done with the
objective of also minimizing the material cost of the package. Justifying the cost
of the machine is a one-time event while it is reducing the cost of material that
will truly pay dividends over the long run.

Don’t be easily swayed with the idea that a project’s goal should be to eliminate
all labor on the line. The reality is that you should know the true cost of your
labor on the line and, in most cases, the cost of the special engineering element to
eliminate all labor turns out not to be justifiable, either from a price and/or a
technological point of view. Consider that in many cases, the use of labor on the
line, providing that it is properly planned for ergonomically, can actually
enhance the performance of the line. Vision systems and other methods of
quality control are readily available as add-ons to the packaging line. However,
there are certain products and processes that still make human inspection,
especially on lower volume lines, more practical.
In any event, whether you are seeking a semi-automatic carton sealer or a totally
automated product handling and cartoning system, knowing your present costs
and your objectives for return on investment can easily set the stage for a
“budget range” going into a project that should prove economically feasible.

STEP 2 –THE PRODUCT SHOULD HELP DETERMINE THE CHOICE

Before you look at possible suppliers, level of feasible automation, etc., it is
critically fundamental that you consider the nature of the product first. In many
cases, the nature of the product will actually dictate the type of cartoning
machine necessary to do the job. Therefore, by employing this first step, you
could very well eliminate several critical path choices up front that will keep the
task focused and more efficient.

For example, if the product is free flowing, granular in nature and is to be filled
directly into carton (e.g. detergent powder), or several loose pieces (e.g. 25 count
cough drops), limit your search strictly to vertical style cartoning equipment. As
most cartoning machine models available on the market are horizontal, this will
immediately eliminate the majority of machine and supplier company choices.
Simply jumping in and looking at all suppliers in the market would have been
time consuming and distracting.

There are also product characteristics that may lend toward a tray forming and
cover closing machinery system decision or wraparound concepts such as full
wrap, tray pack, or wraparound sleeving.

If the nature of the product is applicable to loading into the carton horizontally,
I would suggest that the critical path decisions then go in that direction, even if
the product could theoretically be loaded either horizontally or vertically. This is
where some of my colleagues may disagree (especially those that specialize in
vertical, tray forming, or wraparound cartoning machinery). It is a fact that the
majority of cartoning machinery sales and cartoning machine models available
are horizontal in nature. I believe this is because, as a general rule, horizontal
cartoners can do the job at a lower cost, smaller footprint, more flexibility, and
lend to more affordably adding product-handling automation.

STEP 3 – WHAT SPEED IS TRULY REQUIRED?

As simple as this question may seem, I have seen many customers struggle with
it over the years. One of the most popular answers to this question is, “What
speed can you give me?” This critical step is where I have seen many make the
wrong purchase decision, either by under-buying or over-killing the project.
Answer this question as accurately as possible as the second critical step behind
machine style will work wonders for immediately eliminating all of the choices
that are not relevant for this project. In considering the answer to this question,
first determine whether the cartoning operation will be on-line or off-line
production.

ON-LINE PACKAGING – If it is on-line (i.e. packaging the product as it is
made), the formula becomes much easier. Simply calculate the maximum rate
that it is possible to make the product divided by the number of products that go
into each carton. To that number, you can certainly either add some factor to
“surge capability” or potential to increase the rate over time via new processes
or product making technology.

OFF-LINE PACKAGING – When considering off-line speed requirements (i.e.
packing from pre-existing inventory), objectively consider the daily, weekly, or
monthly quotas necessary to ship out the door. Make sure that when you then
calculate this into the cartons per minute required, you use a realistic number
with regard to days per week that you will really pack as well as a realistic
number for “true” hours per day, rather then just dividing by eight for a one
shift operation.

Regardless of whether you need to carton your product on or off line, be careful.
When making this critical path decision, avoid letting your ego get in the way. I
have seen many make the mistake in both directions. When making volume
estimates, be realistic of the current picture and the probability of increasing the
current volume over the next few years. Some overestimate their needs and end
up with a cartoning machine that is larger and more expensive than what is
really necessary to do the job. If higher volumes are really needed, don’t be
quick to sacrifice those capabilities for price. I have witnessed many that have
let price rather than volume determine their final decision and end up with a
machine that falls far short of their true needs. In other words, don’t fool
yourself into buying the economy of a KIA if you really need, expect, and can
maintain the performance of a Lamborghini.

STEP 4 – KNOW YOUR COMPANY’S CAPABILITIES AND NEEDS

A step often overlooked in the process is a self-assessment of your company’s
true capabilities when it comes to technical expertise and ability to maintain a
cartoning machine. The type of equipment that you investigate must, in your
best opinion, match your company’s technical prowess. Unless you have, or plan
on making an investment in qualified technical staff, acquiring a machine that
incorporates a high technical content could prove disastrous. Match the
machine to your capabilities. Buying a machine with servo technology and not
having any staff capable of working with it spells trouble. Build a list of factors
that are both important qualifications and match your company’s skill sets.
Perhaps the best way to help you determine if a machine matches your staff’s
skill set is to do a reference check during the supplier investigation phase (step 5)
of the process. If you are a small family business, do not limit your reference to
a visit or phone call to a large multinational. Getting additional feedback from a
large company is fine, but you really need to talk to a company of comparable
size and skill level to determine if this equipment is something that will perform
and be manageable for you. In my opinion, talking to someone in the same
industry is not as important as talking to someone of comparable size and skill
sets.

Beyond the basics of budget, machine type and speed, typical factors that can
also play a part in your decision may be specific needs such as delivery time (for
time sensitive market roll out projects), changeover time between sizes
(especially for short run environments), parts availability (if located in a remote
area), and service capabilities (if weak on in-house ability).

STEP 5 – RESEARCH AND DIFFERENTIATE YOUR SUPPLIER OPTIONS

Now that you have narrowed your search to a specific style of machine as well as
the speed requirement, it is time to analyze what is available in the market. You
have established a clear enough road map to go out and look at your viable
cartoning machine options. Many ask, “Now that I know what I need, where do
I start?”

Here are just a few suggestions:

  • Trade shows
  • PMMI directory
  • Internet searches (i.e. packexpo.com)
  • Machinery buying guides
  • Advice of machinery representatives that have successfully helped you source other types of equipment in the past
  • Advice of your industry acquaintances and peers

Unless your application is extremely unusual, we should be able to easy find
anywhere from three to six alternatives that fit somewhere in your general
budget guidelines. Now it is time to differentiate them by their attributes. Most
machinery suppliers have a particular niche that helps set them apart. It is your
job to ferret which attribute makes you feel most comfortable in making your
decision. Some examples would be as follows: One may seemingly have more
experience with your type of product than the others; Another may have
geographical proximity to your plant, which does make visits and building a
relationship a bit easier; Yet a third may position their product as cutting edge
and your staff prefers, and is well equipped, to deal with and want the latest
technology; While another may take a more simplistic approach to size
changeovers, which may appeal to those without highly trained technical
support in house; There are some that can offer a higher level of integration and
automation, offering to automate your process further up and downstream on
the packaging line.

The ultimate goal is to decide on a supplier that you are not only comfortable
working with, but also one that can offer you the most “bang for your buck” for
your particular needs, budget, and capabilities.