Avoid these mistakes to ensure a beneficial packaging machine ROI.
When you decide to invest in a new packaging machine, you are likely expecting a beneficial Return on Investment (ROI). A packaging machine can be a significant investment, but it can improve your profits for years to come and provide a great return on that investment if treated well. However, there are a few mistakes that people can make which hurt that expected ROI. If you want to get the most out of your new packaging machine, avoid these mistakes.
Post-Purchase Redesigns
One of the fastest ways to increase packaging machine costs is unexpected configuration changes and redesigns after the machine manufacture is underway. This often happens when project details are ill-defined, undefined, or changed at the last minute.
Packaging machines are custom built to your specifications. When the machine is already being manufactured, last-minute changes are going to cost you more money. This is especially true if your change order involves programming, engineering, or reconfiguration of critical components.
To avoid this, define important project details from the start, even before reaching out to a machine manufacturer.
Not Knowing Your Essential Numbers
You can make your packaging machine purchase easier by looking at the numbers. First, calculate the machine ROI. This number determines whether investing in a new machine is beneficial for your business. To calculate the potential ROI, track the following data points:
- Throughput: How many packages per minute you produce.
- Packaging labor costs: How much you spend on employees.
- Waste and scrap: How much money is lost because of quality issues?
To make your purchase decision, compare your internal data with the data received from the packaging machine manufacturer. Is there an improvement?
Failing to Prepare Your Facility
You may think that you are prepared to receive your new packaging machine, but there may be a few things you haven’t considered. Make sure you do the following:
- Map out your entire packaging process: it should be clear where the new packaging system fits in the process.
- Consider integration with existing equipment: Your machine manufacturer must be aware of planned integration for design purposes.
- Be prepared to transport and hook up the equipment: Do you have space and equipment required to move the packaging machine?
- Plan for future upkeep and costs: any machine will require periodic maintenance and occasional replacement of high-wear parts.
Poor Staffing or Training
After the packing machine manufacturer’s technicians have left, do you have the trained staff to run and troubleshoot it? If your team is not well-trained, machine downtime will be the result, which will decrease your productivity and profits.
Neglecting Preventative Maintenance
Once your packaging machine is installed, you will have to plan preventive maintenance so it continues to run smoothly. With a quality machine, repairs should be minimal, but a check-up a few times a year can ensure longevity and high performance.
If you wait to service your machine until it breaks down, you lose production time. By being proactive, you avoid lengthy downtime. By avoiding the mistakes listed above, you can ensure that your packing machine ROI is beneficial to your company.
Liquid Filling Machine Specialists
For over 70 years, FILAMATIC has been providing a wide range of liquid filling systems to the packaging industry. We create flexible, customized solutions for every stage of your business growth. Whether you require a single handheld filling machine, a complete turnkey fill-cap-label solution, or a fully automated, integrated filling system, we have the liquid filling experience to ensure your satisfaction is exceeded.
For more information on liquid filling, capping and labeling solutions, please call 866.258.1914 or email info@filamatic.com.