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Lessons learned: packaging machinery

700 packaging professionals share their advice about packaging machinery.

Pw 6373 Lessons Machine1

Over the past several months, Packaging World has shared advice on packaging departments, materials, and projects from 700 packaging professionals who responded to a May 2008 survey. Our four-part special report series concludes this month with lessons learned about packaging machinery. Edited for clarity, the answers to this question range from prepurchase advice through operational suggestions for older equipment.

A number of responses were cost and quality related, including this one from a Kraft Foods Europe manager: “Don’t compromise on quality. You will use this equipment for 20 years plus.” A Schering-Plough employee observed, “While you get what you pay for, machinery can only do so much.” Others provided different takes on that same view, including the following:

• You get what you pay for. Lower-cost equipment will meet a short-term need, but will cost more in the long run. More-expensive suppliers have more depth and ability to provide long-term support.

• Take the capital expenditure hit up front, and choose to pay for better machinery so there is no constant “payment” on the operational side.

• Reliability and after-sale service are more important than a low price.

• Spend the money on quality components and construction; it costs less than fixing shortcuts.

Others turned their attention to machinery components and controls. For example, one advised, “Don’t skimp on the control system on the first prototype.” Another stated, “You only need the automation that is absolutely necessary for the project. Separate the necessities from the niceties. Taken care of, used equipment will work fine for most projects.” A third offered this: “When selecting equipment, make sure it is capable of being upgraded to newer technologies that will save you dollars down the road in capital expenditures or operations.”

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