Sustainability in the packaging industry is more than just choosing environmentally friendly packaging materials. Strubl GmbH & Co. KG's „Plug & Pack“ packaging system demonstrates how modular automation can be used in an economically sustainable way. At the same time, Strubl offers its customers an option for the resource-saving use of plastic with the concept „bags instead of blisters“.
The Life cycle assessment of a company is also characterised by the use of durable machines that can be used again and again in new contexts. Franz Strubl convinced. Together with his brother Christoph, he has been managing the Franconian family business for more than 25 years in the third generation Strubl GmbH & Co. KG. With his „Plug & Pack“With the "Pouch Packaging System", Strubl offers an overall concept for fully or partially automated pouch packaging systems - depending on the customer's requirements. The bags themselves can also be purchased from Strubl.
As the managing director himself puts it, Strubl KG deliberately offers its customers solid, tried-and-tested Machine components that can be used for a very long time. Franz Strubl is convinced that the machines should not become „an impenetrable tech cosmos“ for customers. He prefers to speak of an „intelligent modular technology kit“ that can also be expanded as required. Part of Strubl's philosophy is that every customer can quickly customise the machine during the quotation phase. If extensions or conversions are planned later, Strubl ensures that new components are compatible with the existing ones and that the used ones can continue to be used.
The fact that this concept works can be seen at Strubl in the example of the very first Packaging machine confirmed: It was sold almost 20 years ago and is still in use today.
Save up to 70 per cent packaging volume
As a full-service provider, Strubl GmbH & Co. KG concentrates on integrated solutions for packaging products in Bag, true to the motto „bags instead of blister packs“. This concept has been very well received by the Franconian company, says Franz Strubl: „Our specialist retail customers are really consistent. They want to continue to present their goods in a very high-quality way, but are extremely keen to continuously improve their eco-balance.“ The fact that bags are more environmentally friendly than Blister packs up to 70 per cent less packaging volume, convince many customers of the advantages of pouch packaging.
For example, the complete „Plug & Pack“ system from Strubl was chosen by REV Ritter from Mömbris in Lower Franconia. REV Ritter produces and sells household electrics and installation products in all well-known German DIY stores.
„With Strubl, we made a conscious decision in favour of a supplier that delivers everything from a single source, as this means there are clear responsibilities and a single point of contact for any queries. It was also important to us that we could quickly switch the machine over to another product directly from the REV server with the latest data,“ says Strubl. Stefan Wiegand, Technical Manager at REV Ritter, recalls the requirements for the new system.
Products are packaged in a recycling-friendly way
The Strubl system should be used to pack the Switch series from REV Ritter, which are sold in DIY stores. The focus was on packaging the electrical parts in bags with a colour-coded system to provide an overview of the different products. Strubl supplied both 100 per cent recyclable and therefore environmentally friendly polyethylene bags and a packaging machine with a colour coding system. Thermal transfer printing unit.
According to Franz Strubl, pouches made from 100 per cent PE have undeniable advantages. They take up less space than blister packs, for example: „Imagine 1,000 products in blister packs ... and then how much less volume a pouch solution requires!“ This means that less „air“ has to be transported, which helps to reduce CO2 to be saved. As they come from the Monomaterial PE The bags are also easier to recycle and therefore fulfil the requirements of the Packaging Act.
REV Ritter formulated clear specifications for the machine and the bags: the latter were to be equipped with a fixed Header be delivered, but in the Packaging process can be customised and printed as required. The machine also needed to have a flexible design. REV Ritter wanted to package its items as effectively as possible, namely only on one machine with a flexible Printing unit.
Filling is done manually
The Production process was partially automated with the help of the new machine. The bags with headers supplied by Strubl are hung in the machine, then separated and finally hung in the transport chain. Next comes the printing process with a thermal transfer printer. First, the Printing on the back. General information such as the manufacturer is already available, which can then be expanded to include product-specific details such as the technical data or the EAN code can be added. The next step is to print the specific product name on the front on a slanted, colour-highlighted strip.
The Print data the system directly online from the REV Ritter server. Changing print jobs are therefore easy to implement. The set-up process is also designed to be simple. „Jobs are changed immediately, and a minute later we're already moving on!“ says a delighted Stefan Wiegand.
The actual Filling process is carried out manually by employees at REV Ritter. An automated filling process would also be technically possible. The bags are first inflated using the „Plug & Pack“ system to make the filling process easier. Finally, the bags are sealed and end up in the transport box.
Now that the „Plug & Pack“ system from Strubl GmbH & Co. KG has now been in use at REV Ritter for some time, Stefan Wiegand is satisfied. The expectations of the machine have been fulfilled: „The durability and the extremely solid Construction method were important reasons why we decided in favour of the complete solution from Strubl. We have never needed a service technician!“
[infotext icon]More information about Strubl GmbH & Co. KG can be found here:
http://www.strubl.de
