Choosing the best packaging equipment for your business can be a challenge. There is no one-solution-fits-all, and you will need to consider a number of factors from the materials being packed, to quantity and speed required.
Vertical bagging is particularly popular in the food and beverage industry, for both liquids and solids, as well as in industries where loose irregularly shaped items need to be packaged. They are also popular for packaging kits as well as for bulk packaging. The machinery used for vertical bagging may be semi-automatic or completely automated.
In general terms, vertical baggers boost sustainability and also lower material and labor costs, particularly the machines that are automated.
Essentially, what any vertical bagging machinery does is to literally form bags around products vertically. The original machines launched in the 1930s all used plastic film. Today though, vertical bagging equipment can handle other packing materials including foil, paper, PVC, polyethylene, various fabrics, and printed film. Different machines offer different options in terms of sealing and closure.
Vertical Baggers or Horizontal Baggers?
It really does depend on what you need to pack. Generally, a horizontal bagging machine will be used for longer items and those that can be grouped easily on a horizontal surface. Vertical baggers solve the problem of items that tend to roll or can’t be easily grouped.
There will always be some wastage (scrap) from bagging, but the aim is to have as little as possible. Scrap produced by horizontal machines comes from the length, while scrap from vertical machines comes from the width, which is relatively narrow. This in itself can represent a big saving.
How Vertical Baggers Save Labor Costs
First of all, most vertical bagging machines are surprisingly simple to operate and training for both operators and maintenance personnel can often be achieved in just a single day. This in itself saves money.
There is no dispute that automation saves labor costs. When it comes to vertical baggers, even semi-automatic models usually preclude employees from the task of pre-making the bags that will be used for packaging. An automated vertical bagging machine could easily replace at least three employees helping the business owners achieve their return on investment (ROI) within about two years. This doesn’t necessarily mean those employees would be jobless, instead, they could be used to achieve other outcomes and results more cost-effectively and efficiently.
How Vertical Baggers Save Materials
Since the machine creates the bags around products there is no need to invest in a range of pre-made bags all different sizes. Even if these are made in-house it means you have to use unnecessary funds in inventory. Instead of buying stock of about 20 different sizes of pre-manufactured bags, most companies could simple use five or six different sized rolls of film or other material.
Also, many vertical-bagging applications can be achieved using thinner-gauge materials that are less expensive. Some companies are able to cut material costs by anything from 40 to 70 percent this way. Again ROI could be achieved in as little as two years just in terms of materials savings.
Technik Can Help You Cut Costs
Technik Packaging Machinery has a comprehensive line of cost-saving vertical form fill seal baggers and vertical bagging machines. We will help you identify the best machine for your business. If you want to start cutting costs contact us now.
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