Why Packaging Automation is About So Much More Than Labor Challenges!

Let’s take a trip down memory lane for a second.?

Almost 20 years ago, I started my career in packaging, selling everything from stretch film, tape, to case erectors and stretch wrappers. If you’ve ever had to convince a customer that spending a little more on better-quality tape will save them headaches down the road, you know what I’m talking about.?

It’s not glamorous, but it teaches you a lot about the nitty-gritty of packaging.

From there, I moved on to work for Lantech, a company that’s all about one thing: reducing damage in transit.?

And here’s a fun fact (or FF's as I like to call them) — did you know that 0.5% of all goods shipped are damaged in transit??

Now, that might not sound like much, but when you consider the sheer volume of products moving around the globe, it’s a staggering number.? In the U.S., that’s about $1 Billion a year in damage losses per year!

Lantech’s focus on keeping products safe until they reach the customer taught me the real impact that good packaging can have—not just on a company’s bottom line, but on customer satisfaction too.

In 2021, I took a role at Schneider Electric, as the CPG Segment leader for Industrial Automation, where sustainability is more than just a buzzword—it’s a way of life. This was where I really started to connect the dots. Packaging isn’t just about protecting the product or cutting down on labor costs. It’s about reducing waste, decreasing the number of deliveries (which, by the way, lowers your carbon footprint), and improving your brand’s reputation with customers who care about the environment.

A Unique Perspective

All of these experiences have given me a pretty unique perspective on packaging automation. I’ve seen how small changes in the way you pack and ship products can lead to big savings—not just in dollars, but in environmental impact. And with today’s consumers being more eco-conscious than ever, this isn’t something companies can afford to ignore.

So here’s the thing: Packaging automation and robotics aren’t just about replacing manual labor.?

Sure, that’s a big part of it, especially with the labor shortages we’re all feeling. But if you’re a CPG manufacturer and you’re only looking at automation through that lens, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity.

Taking a Step Back

What if, instead of just focusing on how to get the job done faster with fewer people, you took a step back and looked at your entire secondary packaging process??

What if you considered how automation could help you use fewer packaging materials, or reduce the number of deliveries you need, thereby slashing your carbon footprint?

By optimizing your packaging design, you could decrease the amount of cardboard or plastic wrap needed to secure your products, reducing material costs, requiring fewer trucks on the road delivering those materials, which equals fewer emissions. And when your customers see that you’re making an effort to be more sustainable, it’s going to reflect well on your brand.

The Bigger Picture

Here’s the bottom line: Packaging automation has the potential to impact so much more than just your labor costs.?

It can help you reduce waste, decrease your environmental footprint, and improve your brand image—all things that today’s consumers care deeply about. And with the way the market is shifting, those aren’t just nice-to-haves; they’re essentials.

So, the next time you’re looking at ways to streamline your packaging process, don’t just think about how to do it with fewer people....

Think about how you can do it better—for your bottom line, for the planet, and for your customers.