The CPI explained how Premier Foods, which owns Bisto, Lloyd Grossman Sauces, Hovis and Mr Kipling Cakes, made cost savings and increased productivity at its Ashford plant following changes to its transit process and display packaging for its range of Batchelors dried foods.
Using single-trip plastic ‘W’ trays filled with between 6-10 packs into corrugated sleeves that were then shrink-wrapped prior to transit, Premier Foods has streamlined the process by installing a specially customised case-packing system and re-designing its corrugated packaging.
This new combination means there is now a single-stage operation across the three production lines.
Implementing this corrugated solution has resulted in a 50% increase in throughput of up to 30 cases/min, on the fastest of the three lines, says the CPI.
There were further efficiencies due to a reduction in bottle-neck – and cost savings on secondary packaging materials by eliminating the need for additional plastic transit packaging.
The CPI’s director of packaging affairs, Andy Barnetson, said containing costs without compromising on product quality is critical.
“Striking this balance successfully can only be achieved on the basis of developing healthy working partnerships throughout the supply chain.”
Corrugated packaging is now responsible for protecting more than 75% of Europe’s goods in transit.
