In order to maintain optimal functionality, everything with moving parts needs an adjustment from time to time – be it cars, computers or packaging machinery.
Chances are, your company’s equipment could use a few tweaks – and even minor changes in your packaging process could add up to big savings. Sometimes, that could mean hundreds of thousands of dollars.
There are expert teams dedicated to audits that help customers optimize settings, materials, and processes used on their production lines. A simple packaging film audit could be the edge you need to boost your bottom line.
A packaging film audit or a film test audit is a process that determines the optimal functionality of your machinery.
Consider it a controlled experiment: it’s a test run in which a team of experts runs a roll of packaging film that’s different than your current film.
Through comparing a specific series of benchmarks, the team finds easy ways to improve efficiency and save you money.
These could mean operational upgrades such as implementing protective packaging, switching to a lower priced film, or opting for longer rolls, among other changes.
There are numerous reasons to run a packaging film audit, but most significantly, it will help you optimize your machinery so you can get the biggest bang for your buck.
If you’re noticing any issues or inefficiencies with your current processes, it’s smart to schedule an audit to address those issues ASAP. But even if you think your line is running optimally, an audit can often uncover un-utilized means of improving operations – which cuts costs.
Specific reasons to run an audit include the opportunity to improve packaging appearance; the possibility of downgauging; and the chance that you could get longer footage and longer time between roll changes.
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Additionally, all of the power in a film test audit lies with you, the customer.
The audit process itself is free, and as the customer you get to decide if you want to move forward with any changes.
If you choose to keep your processes just as they are – there’s no fee. There’s nothing to lose, but there’s incredible potential for gain.
You’re probably wondering – how will a film test audit affect my line?
Any manufacturer understands how important it is to minimize downtime. Luckily, an entire packaging film audit typically takes less than 30 minutes, from start to finish.
First, the team arrives and watches your products run on your line for approximately 15 minutes at their current settings. They record packaging speeds, appearance, reject rate, jam rate, equipment settings, and material usage including film width, cutoff length, etc. to serve as benchmarks.
Then, the team puts on a different film and makes adjustments to optimize the process. A film test is run, and they record the same benchmarks.
After the test, the original material is put back in place with all original settings. The line goes back to exactly the way it was before.
The team then discusses the results of both runs with management, and the customer decides if they want to make any changes.
The biggest reason to opt for a packaging film audit is that the audit team almost always finds ways to save a company money!
The tweaks/changes they’re frequently able to make include:
If you’re going to shut down your line for a half hour, it’s important to have adequate incentive. Luckily, a packaging film audit almost always leads to improvements and a better bottom line for the customer.
Here are some actual case studies from Industrial Packaging customers who saved thousands of dollars – sometimes hundreds of thousands – due to an audit.
Those are just a few examples of how a packaging film audit can help companies save money and optimize every run. The experts could suggest a whole host of upgrades or changes, from implementing protective packaging to reducing the trim and beyond.
With this simple, half hour process, you’ve got nothing to lose and potentially thousands of dollars to gain.
Has your company ever engaged in a packaging film audit? If so, what were the results? Protective packaging is just one of the possible upgrades you could opt into. Download The Ultimate Guide To Protective Packaging now!