Page 36 - Packaging News Magazine Nov-Dec 2018

TRENDS & TECHNOLOGY
FMCG packagers turn to automation
More and more fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) packagers are investing in automation solutions, according to
a report by PMMI, the Association
for Packaging and Processing Technologies in the United States.
PMMI’s 2017 Evolution of Automation industry research report, released during Pack Expo International in Chicago last month, found that 69 per cent of end users forecast capital budgets increasing in the next 12 months, with 86 per cent already collecting machine data for preventive maintenance and maximising uptime. 25 per cent have a budget specifically for automation investments.
According to the report, some major trends driving the automation boom include a lack of skilled labour; increase in demand for product; the need for flexible manufacturing processes; consistent quality requirements; reductions in operating costs; and the availability of smart machine technology and collaborative robots, or cobots.
Automation has a number of upsides for FMCG manufacturers, especially from a productivity standpoint: automated lines minimise changeover times, and allow measuring of line efficiency to maximise uptime. They can also produce efficient shorter runs of multiple sizes, and for businesses looking to cut costs, reduce labour requirements.
For small to medium enterprises, PMMI predicts that many will embrace automation as a survival strategy. “Cost remains a barrier for small to medium sized companies to advance automation. However, as costs decline, companies are beginning to see the value in taking steps toward automating operations,” the report said.
When SMEs replace human interaction with more automation, not only does it cut down on labour costs, but the risk of injury to workers is reduced as well; properly- maintained automated equipment is also more reliable than human operators. Additionally, smaller manufacturers are agile enough to organise data collection and analytics programs from the start, especially in new factories; when they employ cloud-based services, they can often collect, manage, and utilise data just as the bigger players do.
Adoption of automation can often be a slow and incremental process, but the report finds that there are upsides in this. “The automation adoption process is a gradual one, providing ample time and opportunity for OEMs to deliver machines that meet end users’ needs,” said PMMI.
“Investments in automation can help with issues such as labour, line efficiency, changeover time and much more. Increasing automation allowed 68 per cent of companies surveyed to create new jobs.”
036 NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2018 WWW.PACKAGINGNEWS.COM.AU
THE EVOLUTION OF AUTOMATION
69%
OF END USERS
forecast capital budgets increasing in the next 24 months.
Trends Driving Investments in Manufacturing Automation
86%
OF END USERS
are collecting at least some machine data now (including manually) to be used for preventive maintenance and maximizing uptime.
The 5 most significant improvements that automation will achieve:
Run multiple Reduce Efficient sizes labor shorter runs
SOURCE: PMMI (APPMA is an Association Partner of PMMI).
Keeping up with demand Worker safety
Reducing operating costs Loss of labor
Preventing waste
New product processing Packaging reduction New package designs
25% OF END USERS have a budget specifically for automation investments.
How CPGs Use Automation Today
Implementing Packaging Automation
OT and IT working smarter, together
OT (operational technology) and IT (information technology) can work together to create a smarter plant floor. 58% of companies’ OT and IT departments are moving toward collaboration.
16%
NOT SURE
16%
6% 6% 58%
20%
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT
20%
Looking Ahead The industry agrees on the need for standards:
Communications protocol
Control systems Safety systems Data collection
HMI Cleanability Parts
81%
42% 35%
31% 27%
27% 17%
68% OF COMPANIES created new jobs after increasing automation.1
End users will use robots in automation solutions
% will use collaborative robots. 55
58% YES, COLLABORATION
UNDERWAY
58%
Minimize changeover time
Measure line efficiency to maximize uptime
% will use high-speed robots. 43
Visit pmmi.org/research to access the report and other industry intelligence.
Industry professionals can find the latest pharmaceutical and medical packaging solutions at PACK EXPO East (April 16-18, 2018, Pennsylvania
NO IT DEPARTMENT