Packaging Frontier for eCommerce

4th January 2021

Logistics BusinessPackaging Frontier for eCommerce

A fast packaging solution for the fastest-growing sector aims to fit a range of eCommerce applications, reports Paul Hamblin.

Aimed at ecommerce businesses, Fast Pack is the product of Sitma’s 50 years of experience in the packaging industry, as well as its expertise in logistics. These two strengths have led not only to Fast Pack’s development, but to an entire portfolio of e-commerce applications for packaging a wide range of goods: from industries like cosmetics and personal care, to clothing, electronics,
books, music and media.

Fast Pack adopts the same characteristics that have made Sitma a brand leader in machine and system design for the logistics industry. This includes its flexibility, meaning it can consecutively prepare packages of various shapes and sizes while working at different speeds, reaching up to 3,500 packages per hour. The machine concept is modular and can be programmed to best suit the line’s layout and the client’s production needs. Fast Pack also handles varying shapes and sizes, measuring the product beforehand to create customised packages. These characteristics make it the ideal solution for fulfilment in the growth-heavy ecommerce industry, where package form and dimensions often vary widely.

Like all machines and systems in the Sitma line-up, Fast Pack is the product of a design philosophy devoted to sustainability. It allows for use of innovative materials with a reduced environmental impact in place of traditional plastic films for packaging, such as paper (from 60 gsm to 150 gsm) or different types of biofilm. The ability to create tailor-made packages also guarantees two advantages: on the one hand, the packaging material is optimised, reducing the amount of product that then has to be disposed of by the end user, and on the other hand, it facilitates transport in later phases of the supply chain, limiting ‘empty’ transport journeys as much as possible and optimising the load of transport vehicles in order to sensibly reduce their carbon footprint.

New frontier of traceability

Another added value for the line is the option to include an innovative family of accessory units for managing complex data. These integrate and expand the possibilities offered by consolidated technology such as inline printers and labellers. Sitma has implemented a hardware and software system that allows information tracking when managing ecommerce orders throughout the entire distribution chain, ensuring it is unique and interconnected.

In the preliminary phases, product data is collected and then analysed, linked and further enhanced. Each product, which includes the package and its content, is assigned a distinct ID number, which is then tracked and traced throughout the whole process. The technology Sitma uses is engineered to be perfectly integrated with the client’s WCS and databases, thereby enhancing the already existing information by adding the possibility to carry out further data control. All of this ensures greater effectiveness and minimises the possibility of errors, waste and reworkings.

The company says the offer perfectly satisfies the needs of Industry 4.0, which doesn’t stop at the packaging phase. The end-of-line proposal is also highly flexible and automated. It can include integration with weighing and labelling systems, or installation of digital in-line printers for printing transportation information or other details directly on the package. As for the packaging phase, in addition to Fast Pack, Sitma’s line-up of solutions dedicated to ecommerce includes: Quick Pack, Thick Pack and e-Wrap. Whatever the type of product or package, Sitma offers the best solution,
geared to meet the needs of each individual client.