Tag: equipment

Equipment Automation: Labor

Written on by frain-sales

Labor is expensive! That is why so many USA companies sent their manufacturing overseas or hired overseas employees. Others decided to automate their process to reduce the cost of labor.

According to IPS Packaging, “Most companies producing packaged products estimate that up to 60% of their total packaging costs are solely labor-related.”

Imagine cutting that number by 40-50%. On average, this can save companies $40,000-$80,000 per year in wages at $10 per hour.

Those savings can potentially pay for a completely automated process, if not more, with increased margins and profit as time progresses.

Robots and artificial intelligence are a common interpretation of intelligent automation. However, an automated process can range from a single machine, such as a case packer, to a complete line and ultimately updated technology.

Our engineers are available to discuss your complete automation machinery or line requirements and help you determine the best solution for your application.

In the end, you are not only saving money due to labor costs. You are also increasing the quality of your product and overall company profit.

Furthermore, with a completely automated packaging line, output consistency, efficiency, and productivity can also be achieved.

 

Resources:

https://info.ipack.com/article/packaging-automation-is-now-the-right-time

Equipment Automation: Efficiency

Written on by frain-sales

What is the source of your plant inefficiency? Does it come from lack of training, damaged product, minimum/slow production, machine set-backs, material costs, or labor?

All the above has the potential to negatively impact your efficiency resulting in minimal production and profit.  The best and fastest way to improve efficiency is by automating an existing process.

An automatic application can usually at least double the output of any given process. Automatic packaging or processing machinery typically requires no operator, little to no supervision, and can run 24-hours per day with proper maintenance.

It’s fair to note that efficiency goes hand in hand with production and the goal is to achieve maximum output with minimum expense.

Many companies and individuals interested in automating their process fail at justifying the cost of automation. Corporations weigh out their options, but occasionally miss a few angles that include leveraging the cost of operators, benefit packages, production, efficiency, and more.

Shedding light on these hidden costs can easily justify rapid automation.  If the cost of your efficiency is weighing you or your company down, then it’s time to address the issue.

With the help of Frain, you can be as efficient as you are meant to be.  We offer the largest packaging and processing equipment inventory, accommodating rental and leasing options, and the quickest delivery in the industry.

Equipment Automation: Productivity

Written on by frain-sales

Manual and semi-manual production rely highly on their employees and operators. This, over time, leads to product inconsistencies, damage, and ultimately decreased production. Not to mention a boost in material costs.

Individuals become tired, slow down, and have a shorter attention span as an eight or ten-hour shift progresses. The product and/or product packaging are now at risk of becoming inconsistent or damaged.

Moreover, people cannot compare to machines when it comes to speed. Depending on the application, individuals can safely and accurately produce up to 1/4 of product – on average – compared to an automatic machine.

For example, Frain took a customer from a manual process that on average produced 5 complete bottles of product per minute to 20. In a 50-minute 10-hour shift, the company produced 2,500 bottles manually while the Frain automatic application yielded 10,000…four times as much production and revenue.

The bottom line is that automated packaging produce more than manual labor/operators and ultimately cut down costs while increasing productivity.  In fact, it’s better to couple your best people with machinery for getting the job done more efficiently.

A wide selection of automatic packaging and processing equipment with flexible rental and leasing options is the first step in easily automating your application and maximizing profit.

Connecting Islands of Automation

Written on by frain-sales

In John Henry’s white paper, Flat-Top Conveyor Basics, he explains that “conveyors are intelligent bridges between islands of automation.”

A complete, dry product filling line filling 16 ounces of peanuts at 20 bottles per minute is a great example.

Each automated machine is connected by different conveyors – 3 bottomless side belt and 1 table top –  that push the product to the next machine. When the product arrives at its final destination – an unscrambler – the product is ready to be boxed.

Would it be possible for these islands of automation to effectively generate the same product without conveyors? Maybe, but smart automation cannot occur without automated machinery or the bridges that connect them.

Islands-of-Automation-Meijer

Optimizing production relies on different variables, including equipment, technology, artificial intelligence, data, and more. It helps increase productivity, efficiency, quality, and safety while reducing the cost of labor and damaged material.

At Frain, we can quickly and effectively help you connect islands of automation to intelligent bridges.

Our team is available to help you enhance and automate your production application faster than anyone else.

Click here to learn more about the complete packaging line that is shown above.

It’s Time to Sell

Written on by frain-sales

With so many websites and mobile applications that help people buy and sell anything from socks to packaging and processing equipment, it has become extremely easy to transact business within a few finger taps.

And, although there are many excellent sites and apps for doing so – this sometimes leads to commoditization of products.  The seller becomes exposed to an OBO (or best offer) and the customer to a bidding war, fake postings, and a lack of seller response.

Within the used packaging and processing equipment arena, Frain cuts out the back-and-forth waiting game played in online auctions. We deal directly with the seller and provide up to 4x more instant revenue.

Not sure when to sell your packaging or processing equipment? Let us help you.

The best time to sell is when you are ready to free up space, a project has ended, equipment is idle, beginning a different application, or have an excess of equipment. Less clutter and unwanted equipment will provide available storage/floor space, and income for a new venture.

Storage fees, idle, and surplus equipment can slowly and easily dig a hole in the company’s pocket. For a fast and easy transaction, contact Frain to sell your packaging and processing equipment.

Let us help you turn your equipment into a working asset.

Taxonomy of Packaging Machinery

Written on by John Henry

I’ve been working with packaging machinery for longer than I want to confess. One issue that has always bothered me is that machinery terms vary from builder to builder, industry to industry and person to person. When people use the same word to describe two different machines, misunderstandings can lead to costly mistakes. It is critical is that any definition or terminology be used consistently and understood the same way by all concerned.

To that end, I propose the following taxonomy for use in describing packaging machinery.

Function > Type > Level of automation > Package movement > Package orientation > Machine direction > Speed

Depending on the machine there may be additional nomenclature that will be appropriate. Some of the above will not always apply. What the above taxonomy will do is provide a common basis for describing packaging machinery.

Function

Function refers to the main, overall, function of the machine. It may be a filler, a capper, a case packer or something else. It gives an immediate, if rough, description of what the machine will be used for.

Download the complete Taxonomy of Packaging Machinery Whitepaper to continue learning about packaging machinery.

Machinery ASAP

Written on by frain-sales

A question we always ask every customer is – when do you need the machinery?

Or, we’ll ask, when do you need the equipment up and running with your product at your facility?

Sometimes, we hear laughter. Sometimes we hear panic. But, usually, we hear something to the effect of:

  • “I need it now, right away.”
  • “I need the equipment yesterday.”

Or, the very brief and to-the-point answer the sums up when most customers need the equipment:

  • “I need it A.S.A.P.”

Many of our customers are in a race against time.

We like to hear that. Why? Because we’ve uniquely built our business around getting you quality machinery quickly at a discount from new equipment.

With a vast inventory of new and used equipment available for rent, lease or purchase, we can have single machines or entire packaging lines to customers in days – not weeks or months.

We are your pit crew to get you back into production as quickly as possible with equipment you can trust.

In cases of complete packaging lines, we purchase new equipment weekly that is often included within these lines simply for the fact of having these pieces of the puzzle available when our customers need them.

We keep 150,000 square feet in replacement parts for our customers who automatically get 6 months warranty on replacement parts in addition to our satisfaction guarantee.

Our customers can go anywhere online to find equipment and machines – and sometimes cheaper.  But, they come to Frain when the want to get quality, working machinery or complete lines A.S.A.P.

At Frain, we specialize in delivering quality machinery and complete packaging lines A.S.A.P.

4 Failed Myths to Avoid When Obtaining Machinery

Written on by frain-sales

Obtaining equipment is a huge commitment that many companies may or may not be ready to pursue. Many seek traditional alternatives like buying equipment, while others follow a contemporary route by renting or leasing equipment. Whatever the choice, Frain is here to help clarify some common myths.

Myth 1: Purchasing is always the way to go.

While purchasing equipment may be the right solution for some companies, it is certainly not a one-size-fits-all approach. Buyers often rely on advisors with little-to-no knowledge of the industry, equipment or application to guide their decision. Thus, businesses may purchase equipment not best suited for the job. This creates setbacks that companies are usually not prepared to manage such as cash flow constraints. On the other hand, companies that are well advised and have successfully introduced the product to market are best suited for equipment purchases.

Myth 2: Purchasing NEW is the only risk free solution.

Many individuals and companies prefer to buy new (OEM) equipment because of the machine warranty and established name. Others prefer to buy new because it has become part of the business routine. Several companies have a difficult time understanding that purchasing new equipment is not the only risk free solution. With used certified pre-owned machinery offering the same warranty as OEM’s at a faster turnaround times and satisfactory guarantees, companies can save time and money on equipment purchases. This, consequently, decreases downtime and gets the product to market faster than the traditional OEM solution.

Myth 3: Alternative procurement methods are too risky or nerve wrecking.

As stated above, some companies are set in their ways and often turn to purchasing equipment because it is what they have done for years. The fear of doing something that can cost the company a lot more than it saves holds several individuals back from innovation. A lack of adaptation can push toward the demise of an enterprise, and has held true in different cases from animal extinction to equipment and technology. In the packaging and processing industry, Frain responded to the way the consumer market seeks equipment with an innovative rental option that gets products to market faster. The rental option offers several benefits, including a lower investment, manageable payments, cash flow control, and increased production.  A flexible program, like Frain’s rental service, is best suited for seasonal peaks, product introduction, company expansion, or contract packagers, but anyone can take advantage of it.

Myth 4: Renting and leasing are basically the same.

Leasing offers a hybrid of the contemporary rental and the traditional purchase. It allows individuals to purchase equipment while spreading out payments as desired by the customer (12, 24 or 36 months). This flexibility gives the customer cash flow control and insurance from purchasing equipment outright. This opportunity may not be suited for everyone, but many individuals find comfort in flexible operational and/or capital costs.

In general, obtaining equipment can be challenging. Ultimately understanding the needs of the business, project scope, company capital, and testing the effect of a new product or production increase will aid in weighting the pros and cons of a machinery purchase, rental or lease, and help individuals make educated decisions.

Not sure where to start or how to get the equipment you need? Frain can lead the way.

Which Came First?  The Machine or The Price?

Written on by frain-sales

When buying, renting, or leasing machinery – start-ups or well-established companies will want a quick take on the price of the machinery.

Even if equipment buyers are in the early stages of understanding what they need, they will want to lock down some semblance of investment early on within their project.

It’s a chicken and egg scenario.  The answer to the question –  “How much will this machine or equipment line cost me?” –  is found only by knowing what exactly you want and what you ‘re willing to invest right now.

You can get a machine that is guaranteed not to work for very little cost.

You can also buy a brand new machine that is overkill for what you really need.  You end up buying too much machine.

 

The devil is in the details.  Here are some key questions to have answered before you shop your next machine:

  • What product are you running?
  • What size of your package or container?
  • What volumes/speed?  (10 per minute = 4,000+ units/day)
  • When do you need to have the machine or line up and running?

Additional questions:

  • How long will you need the machine?
  • Do you have any space / footprint limitations?
  • How are you handling this now / reason for change / people involved and level of experience?
  • What are your main questions / concerns / goals in deciding on the machinery?

 

Once you contact our engineers with the answers to these questions – we can comb our inventory of 9,000 machines and provide you options for one machine or entire packaging lines to best fit your specifications.  We can also provide you terms (rental, lease, purchase) and services (training, start-up) that put you in position to succeed.

 

3 Steps to Successful Equipment Purchase

Written on by frain-sales

There is no doubt that our customers value and trust our equipment, integration and other services. They have found that we create meaningful partnerships and experiences, and that is why they return.

New relationships, in contrast, take time and attention in building.  Customer expectations and responses to value-added service have shifted, and Frain is riding this wave.

To better support our clients, we’ve highlighted the major steps in a successful equipment purchase:

  1. You tell us about your project
  2. We review and finalize your quote
  3. Together we arrange final delivery

We want to consistently deliver not only great service, but excellent experiences. Click here to view more details surrounding the Frain Experience.

frain-packaging-equipment

Disrupting the Mold

Written on by frain-sales

You’re probably heard the saying that you can have two of the following – fast, good, and cheap – but not all three.

After posting Price Deal or Cost, we were reminded by our customer Thomas Ball that “Frain still doesn’t market its strongest concept…the three aspects of deal Cost, Delivery Time, and Quality.  You usually can have two of the three, but Frain can provide all three:  Lower Cost, High Quality Solutions, and Quick Delivery.”

More specifically, Frain provides equipment that’s fast, good, and cheap when compared to the price of new equipment.  Here’s more:

Fast – We inventory approximately 9,000 machines supported by a staff of over 40 technicians.  Our engineers will help match you to the best machine and our technicians will get it to you much faster than traditional methods.  We find that most companies are able to benefit from this speed in terms of revenue.

Cheap – With certified pre-owned equipment you get like new equipment at a discount from new.  Side by side, they work all the same for your job – only one doesn’t cost as much.

Quality –  Our machines leave the building fully addressed by our technicians and backed by parts warranty and the Frain guarantee. If you’re not 100% satisfied, you may return it within the first two weeks – no questions asked.

 

 

Machines From 3 to Z

Written on by frain-sales

While recently showing customers the breadth and depth of our packaging and processing inventory, they pointed out that Frain has everything “from 3 to Z.”  More specifically, our inventory of packaging and processing equipment spans from 3M to Zero Manufacturing Co.

Over three decades ago, Frain set out to provide the greatest inventory options available to industries like food, beverage, and candy.  Today, our inventory spans over 1,300 machine manufacturers and over 9,000 machines in four warehouses covering 1.5 million square feet.

We are equipment brand agnostic. We understood decades ago that loyalty to one manufacturer does not benefit our customers. Here is why:

  • Time: Spending time waiting for equipment or machine parts can cost more in lost opportunity than the equipment itself.
  • Complexity: Many customers rent or purchase a variety of machines and brands depending on the need, including existing or new product line integration.  Frain customers gain a competitive advantage of not only getting any piece of machine needed for any project, but also the ability to integrate any machine together regardless of the manufacturer.
  • Simplicity: Some projects may include coordination of internal/external payments, procedures, training, timeframes, etc.  With increased inventory and variety, our customers can get whatever they need – quickly.  In fact, 50% of our customers agree that one of the best features they like most about Frain is our inventory.

Browse all of Frain’s manufacturers and inventory online or contact us to schedule a tour of our facility. You won’t be disappointed.