< Previous20 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net CARTONING AND SLEEVING A utomation within printing and packaging has been around for some time and is commonly used within manufacturing. However, concerns over corporate sustainability, as well as the desire to keep manufacturing costs down amidst the cost of living crisis has caused some to re-evaluate whether standard practices are as efficient as they could be. Furthermore, with markets becoming increasingly overcrowded, pristine and eye catching packaging is a must in order to get products noticed. Here, we shall review the most common products which use cartons and sleeves, what these products need from their packaging to get noticed, and which innovations are important to keep an Packaging sleeves are strips of printed card which wrap around a product. Primarily, they packaging Adaptational Concerns over corporate sustainability, as well as the desire to keep manufacturing costs down amidst the cost of living crisis has caused some to re-evaluate whether standard packaging practices are as efficient as they could be. © stock.adobe.com/sinlatownFood & Drink International 21 www.fdiforum.net CARTONING AND SLEEVING © stock.adobe.com/createvil are used for providing an extra layer of security to the internal product. However, they also provide the perfect opportunity to create a visually striking appearance with their clean lines. Furthermore, they offer extra space for text such as nutritional information. This opportunity means that manufacturers should not overlook sleeves and take the time to ensure they are both fit for purpose and have a neat and pleasing appearance. The most commonly used type of sleeving system is via a wraparound cartoning machine. This uses a half folded sleeve with the products being introduced into the sleeve via the end side. Hot glue is then applied to one half of the sleeve and wrapped around the product to create a seal. These machines are most suitable for oblong shaped packages and are calibrated to a particular package. Whilst this means that the sleeves will be tight enough for purpose, it means that new products cannot be easily introduced into the machinery without losing out on the quality of the seal. For manufacturers chiefly creating similar products, this will be no issue. A further advantage of this system is the ease of installation. These devices are designed to incorporate into cartoning processes, and so will require little set up to work alongside existing machinery. This is also one of the cheapest options for sleeve manufacturing, due to its commonality and the fact that the robotic process is fairly simple and not intuitive. In other words, there is no option for self-correction or error logging with these machines. For manufacturers wishing to eliminate human interaction with this process, this may cause issue as a certain level of oversight will still be required. A further disadvantage of this option is the fact that the specially customised automation means that the product must always be faced down so that the sleeve seals on the underside or the side of the package. This may not be well suited for certain products, such as beverages and liquid food. Whilst this is unlikely to compromise the integrity of the product, it may cause a messy appearance when opened. Given the importance of the appearance of food, this may cause manufacturers to reconsider this type of device. A new player has been introduced into the sleeve packaging arena - the sleever machine. This device introduces blank sleeves via a 22 Á22 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net CARTONING AND SLEEVING rotary vacuum erector, and then guides arranged around the container will wrap the sleeve tight to the product, and seal at the base with hot glue. This process means that products do not have to be introduced face down, and the guides will locate the edges of the product and wrap to that, rather than a pre-determined pattern via a computer. This is a more efficient process than the cartoning machine, as the sleeve will be tighter to each product, creating a tidy and appealing look. The strength of the seal also makes it less likely to slip off, meaning a better overall impression of the product for the customer. Research suggests that consumers are more likely to carry visually impressive packaging without a bag as social capital. This means that paying attention to small details could spell plenty of free marketing from impressed customers. Finally, using a sleever means that any product can be packaged on this machine as the guides wrap to the contours of the item. This means that it is suitable for multipacks, cylindrical items and single trays to name a few. These technological advancements in sleeve technology are good news for cartons too. Cartons are generally made of card or cardboard, which is usually a weaker material than plastic, and so requires reinforcement. Made of paper, cartons are fast becoming the packaging of choice for manufacturers wishing to pursue sustainability. A new carton product is taking over the industry, called cartonboard. It is a multilayer material, mostly consisting of three or more layers of cellulose fibre derived from wood. For a premium appearance, and to seal the material, the top layer is usually coated white with a pigment based on China clay or calcium carbonate. The layered nature of the material creates the strength that many often wish standard cardboard could provide. This makes it BAG SEALING MACHINES RM Sealers remain a leading British manufacturer and supplier of high quality Bag Sealing Machines, also known as Rotary Band Sealers and Impulse Sealers. Call 01442 843387 to speak to a member of our team SEALERS © www.rmsealers.co.uk © stock.adobe.com/godesignzFood & Drink International 23 www.fdiforum.net CARTONING AND SLEEVING suitable for much heavier products, such as glass containers. The rise of cartonboard demonstrates the importance of continuing to invest in sustainable technologies, as they are now rivalling the appearance and efficacy of plastic packaging. In other words, packaging does not have to be plastic to be premium. In terms of sleeving, there are several advantages to the standard automatic carton sleeving machines. Their prevalence within the industry makes them relatively cheap to purchase and run, and their standard output means that the sleeves can be applied to many different products. However, they are best suited for certain (usually rectangular) packaging shapes, meaning that the sleeves may not be as tight on cylindrical items or multipacks. The variation of product output is likely to be the deciding factor as to whether manufacturers choose to invest. With cardboard being increasingly in demand for packaging, technological research within cartoning has increased and improved. This means that there is little reason not to pursue more sustainable packaging choices, which will benefit both consumer and manufacturer alike. BENCHTOP BAG SEALING MACHINE IMPULSE BAG SEALING MACHINE HORIZONTAL BAG SEALING MACHINE VERTICAL BAG SEALING MACHINE © stock.adobe.com/Seventyfour24 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net NEW YEAR, NEW SUPPLIER your loyalty to them with much else. For the most part, it’s all about stability. The years past have been choppy to say the least and it’s easy to see why businesses might appreciate a less complicated relationship with suppliers. For many, there are also good relations with suppliers to consider, perhaps friendships or times where their directors have wined and dined you. Keep in mind that this is intentional, however. Most businesses do it. Key customers are worth taking the time to ingratiate yourself with, and it’s ultimately nothing more than a means of building loyalty. A business owner or manager should never feel beholden or indebted to a supplier because their service has already been repaid. However, there is risk in bringing in a new and untested supplier, which is why it’s so important to do your research and ensure they will be a good fit for a company. While there’s less risk of intentional fraud and scams with big international companies, accidental hiccups early in a new relationship can be just as devastating, and there are so many big names in the industry – whether it’s a company suppling fresh food ingredients, oils, lubricants, machining parts or food colourings. Picking out the right business for the job can be tricky. And there’s always the question of whether a supplier being replaced would really make the job any cheaper. © stock.adobe.com/nadianb© stock.adobe.com/agnormark Loyalty is its own reward, or so the saying goes, but 2024 has been a difficult year with the state of the economy and the geopolitical strife, and food and drink manufacturers are having to cut costs wherever they can. Sometimes it’s best to shop around when it comes to suppliers. Q uite often, it’s the suppliers who take the brunt of cost- cutting measures – and it may be with good reason. It’s difficult to overhaul a line without adding more work, whereas switching one supplier out for another can be much easier, assuming the new supplier is good enough that they don’t run into instant problems. Furthermore, new suppliers are often prepared to offer better deals to secure a new client. Loyalty may be its own reward, but it often feels like existing suppliers grow complacent with your business and don’t reward Midland Regional Printers (MRP) are a trusted, family-owned label and cardboard packaging printing company with over 55 years of experience, becoming a preferred choice for printed packaging solutions, throughout the UK. MRP’s priority is to provide premium printed packaging and bottle labels, that meet your needs, while ensuring a smooth, quick and effortless experience from start to finish. With printing and manufacturing taking place in-house at the Printworks in Nottingham, England, MRP offers a comprehensive range of services to support you at every stage of your packaging journey. From graphic design, new product packaging development and cardboard engineering to full production, co-packing, and fulfilment services, MRP have everything you need to bring your vision to life. Additionally, MRP provide full self-adhesive label and ribbon printing, ensuring consistent colour matching across all printed products. As an award-winning label and cardboard packaging manufacturer, MRP provides a tailored service, helping to deliver the strongest on-pack message to your customers. Dedicated to environmental and sustainability, MRP also holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, FSC accreditation and are carbon footprint certified. Plus, for every order placed, MRP plant a tree to promote a greener future. Our modern, fully integrated facility is designed to stay flexible and adapt to the evolving needs of our customers. For further please contact MRP on 0115 955 1000, email sales@mrp.uk.com, or visit www.mrp.uk.com. Expandyourbusiness, attractnewcustomers, andmakeapositive impactbyofferinghalal- certifiedproducts.Contact ustodaytolearnmore abouthowwecanhelp youtosuccessfully integratehalalproducts intoyourbusiness. GLOBALLYRECOGNISED HALALCERTIFICATIONBODY GetHalalCertified info@halalfoodauthority.com 0044(0)2084467127 ISED anmaeapossve impactbyofffeeringhalal- certifiedpprroducts.Contact ustodaayytolearnmore abouuthowwecanhelp yyooutosuccessfully integratehalalproducts intoyourbusiness. Expandyourbusinesss, attractnewcustommeers, andmakeapossiitive NBODY GeteeHalalllCertrrififfed www.halalfoodaut info@halalfooda 0044(0)208446 thority.com authority.comm 67127 Food & Drink International 25 www.fdiforum.net NEW YEAR, NEW SUPPLIER That’s why before replacing them at all it’s a good idea to quantify their performance, and the first few months of the year are the best time to take a look at this. Ask your managers who deal directly with the suppliers what their experiences have been, how helpful the suppliers have been and whether there were any issues. It can sometimes be a surprise to discover just how difficult things have been; or that staff have had numerous problems with suppliers but have simply dealt with it on their own and not felt the need to inform upper management. To them, it may feel like it is their job to work around the issues, when in reality this could be taking valuable employee time away from more profitable work. It’s universally considered a good thing when operational managers can show this kind of initiative, but it can also disguise problems that could be dealt with, so open channels of communication and make sure everyone is aware they can, and should, raise issues. It may well be that a business already has the best suppliers it can have, that nothing is discovered and that the suppliers have been both attentive and capable. Discovering such is not a waste of time or effort, however. Efficiency in any aspect of business can only be attained if manufacturing lines are quantified, if employee retention is monitored, and if sales teams work to targets. In business, everything should be quantified and measured at all times. How else will managers know what can be improved? Don’t take the attitude that the same does not apply to suppliers. They are a key part of your business focus, and their performance must be measured. If they’re not good enough, it may well be time to look for new service providers. 26 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net BAKERY AND CONFECTIONARY © stock.adobe.com/JackF Spiralling costsFood & Drink International 27 www.fdiforum.net BAKERY AND CONFECTIONARY R unning tangentially to the confectionary industry, the health snacks industry was recorded at being worth $85 billion in the first few years of the 2020’s and is expected to grow 6.6% year on year until 2030. The drive for healthier foods has existed for the better part of two decades, and the COVID pandemic accelerated the issue for many people. For the first time in decades people found themselves eating more at home, and thus being more aware of what they were eating. This heightened awareness led to a dynamic shift toward healthier alternatives, and while bread has been a staple of the human diet for thousands of years it has proven itself something of an unhealthy option for many due to its high carb content. Complicating matters are rising energy costs across the EU in the face of the war in Ukraine and sanctions placed on Russia. Bakeries – be they local or large factories – are notoriously power hungry, and the cost of energy has left many of them struggling with There has been a push in the bakery and confectionary industries toward healthier foods in recent years – not only for vegan, plant-based and gluten-free product, but also for food with functional or beneficial ingredients. 28 Á © stock.adobe.com/agnormark28 Food & Drink International www.fdiforum.net BAKERY AND CONFECTIONARY increasing production costs. This is pushing many smaller bakers out of business and putting a squeeze on larger ones at a time when they would have been looking to bounce back from the lockdown of 2021. In the case of those who can survive, the focus will be on reducing energy costs by investing in energy efficient machinery. This is something that has long been touted as the answer since 2010, and yet many have been slow to adapt to what they saw as an unnecessary expenditure. After all, energy was not so expensive back then. It’s this lack of foresight that has crippled many in the food and drink industry; the nature of food, and bread especially, seems so inescapably necessary to human life that many believe it an untouchable industry like banking. The reality is that the same protections are not in place, and with inflation expected to keep rising before coming back down – and even that being up in the air – the costs associated with running a large factory are going to increase. This will lead to a consolidation of power by the larger baking companies that are able to survive, as they take on struggling rivals and absorb them, or let them fail and claim market share. Despite this, the bread market itself is expected to rise by a staggering $118 billion between 2023 and 2027, over a period of only four years. This dramatic increase speaks to the demand still being there, but high demand will mean little when production costs are so high. Those forced to shut down will be in the unenviable position of having to make the decision even when demand for their products is high. The focus must be on reduction of costs where possible. Though investing when times are hard is difficult enough already, there may be no point waiting to see if things clear up. Energy costs are likely to keep rising before they get better, and technology has advanced drastically in the past few years, leading to more energy-efficient machines than ever before. Be it in production, automation or packaging, there will always be savings to be made for those The bread market itself is expected to rise by a staggering $118 billion between 2023 and 2027, over a period of only four years.Food & Drink International 29 www.fdiforum.net BAKERY AND CONFECTIONARY © stock.adobe.com/Valerii Apetroaiei prepared to look for them. Given that the highest energy usage in a bakery is likely to be the ovens, it might be better to look at offsetting those high costs by streamlining the equipment outside of it. Mixers, conveyors, depositors and packaging machinery should be a major point of focus. The year ahead will be one of contrasts for many in the industry – for those who can weather the energy costs, the future is bright, with high demand and a lot of competitors struggling. For those who did not plan ahead, or who did not save money – and cannot raise more – to invest in energy efficient changes, it might be a problematic year.Next >