Challenge
An old all-in-one machine had substantial downtime and never met the requirements
INDUSTRY: Food Packaging
PRODUCT USED: Case Sealers
An old all-in-one machine had substantial downtime and never met the requirements
Wayne Automation supplied case erectors, sealers and vision inspection systems
Increased efficiency, reduced downtime and zero issues
Even the pros sometimes have the wrong equipment. For one of our clients, a nationally known candy and confectionery manufacturer, they understood this situation all too well. When they needed to expand a current packaging line, their senior packaging engineer recalled his experience of working with Wayne, and decided to make the call. Wayne provided case erectors, sealers and vision inspection systems, allowing their packaging line to work at expanded capacity and without unneeded downtime.
Their old all-in-one machine came from an overseas manufacturer with minimal support. The machine “did not work from Day 1,” he recalls. “We had lots of downtime.” With 40 years of experience in packaging, he recognized the need for changing how they approached their packaging solution.
When the packaging engineering team moved to make their final decision, it was a unanimous vote in favor of Wayne. However, they were not without concerns. The automation team felt there could be difficulty in meshing two different sets of logic controllers, one from Siemens and one from Rockwell. Our client brought in an external automation service to ensure our system could mesh with their existing infrastructure. Fortunately, “everyone worked very well together to make sure that our system was ready to go”, and the end result was a smooth installation.
The confection company performed their due diligence first, evaluating Wayne Automation case erectors, sealers and inspection systems against the competition, both along the metrics of product specifications and after sales support. Their primary considerations were cost of ownership (especially with respect to maintenance downtime and parts), capabilities, service and sourcing of spare parts. Their engineer was especially impressed with Wayne’s commitment to post-point-of-sale service, giving them the confidence they needed.
The fact that Wayne service techs can be onsite within a matter of days (or even less), and our in-house production of spare parts let the engineer understand Wayne’s commitment to quality automation. A common controls platform eased tensions among the automation staff as well, removing any worries about contending with a supplier using different automation schemes and products.
After installation, the results were immediate. Increased efficiency and reduced maintenance downtime all followed in short order with the installation of Wayne case erectors, sealers and inspectors. “Once you’re into 45 cases per minute and on up, it gets very tricky” to find suppliers who produce a system which is cost effective and worth its value, states the senior packaging engineer. The gap between individual cases on the packaging line becomes very narrow and the margin for error drops accordingly. “With Wayne, we never had any issues”.
It’s one thing to consider how the engineers feel about new systems. It’s another to consider the operators, technicians, and mechanics who repair these systems. They have a hands-on appreciation for how our systems improve process flow and downtime numbers. “The mechanics, they love it”, says their senior packaging engineer. The reduced downtime and ease of maintenance—especially through the integrated preventative maintenance system—was a game changer for them.
For anybody else who might consider working with Wayne, our client’s senior packaging engineer had only endorsements for the process. “They’re just a great group of people to work with, both on the service and ownership side”, he says.
He also noted that with the expertise Wayne brings to the table, you should come prepared with the correct information to help us help you. “You should come into this with a great definition of what you want to do. What products, what speeds, expectations”, says the engineer. Knowing the specific needs of our clients allows us to tailor the packaging solution to meet your goals and support you until your packaging line is up and running smoothly.
Years Of experience
When Sierra Nevada Brewing needed to rapidly assemble uneven cases, but couldn’t risk excessive downtime or redundant machines, they relied on Wayne Automation’s reputation for unmatched quality and dedicated service.
Sierra Nevada Brewing needed an efficient and rugged system to facilitate shipping out of their Mills River location.
Wayne Automation supplied a case erector and sealer, basing the setup off Wayne’s work at their sister brewery in Chico, CA.
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