When Proslat inaugurated its newly constructed production facilities in Quebec, it could also take advantage of a fully automated packaging line. In connection with the construction, Proslat installed a RoRo StretchPack® solution for horizontal stretch hood packaging of the cabinets. It didn’t just automate the packaging process, it also improved packaging quality while reducing cardboard consumption.
Solutions Murales Proslat Inc. is a Canadian producer of functional, modular storage solutions. Until this year, cabinets, including corner protection, were manually packed in cardboard boxes, according to CEO Eric Letham. Today, the packaging is automated with a RoRo StretchPack® solution developed by Tentoma A/S. It means that the cabinets, after applying corner protection, are packed horizontally into a tubular stretch hood film. The tubular film is welded on both ends during the fully automated packaging process, so the packaging is 100% sealed.
Reduced cardboard consumption and full waterproofness
Although automated packaging was the main goal, the packaging process using RoRo StretchPack® also provided more advantages. The obvious outcome is a large decrease in the amount of cardboard consumption. Proslat has lowered its cost for cardboard while reducing the amount of waste to be managed by the end-user after unpacking. Unlike other types of plastic film used for packaging, the minimal amount of stretch hood film is effortless to handle and return for recycling.
CEO Eric Letham also adds,” The packaging quality has improved with RoRo StretchPack®. Now the cabinet packaging is completely sealed and waterproof, which was not the case when using cardboard boxes. The stretch hood film used for packaging is transparent, so now it is clear for everyone during the logistic chain what is inside the packaging, so there is no need to break the packaging just to check product colour, etc. There have been fewer complaints and product damages after the RoRo StretchPack® packaging introduction. This may also be because it is easier for the carrier to handle the package correctly if they know what the packaging contains”.
Inline packaging of cabinets in multiple sizes
The newly installed packaging line is a fully automated, in-line RoRo StretchPack® solution. It can pack various cabinet sizes in random order. When the cabinet arrives at the infeed conveyor, a measuring bridge assesses its length, height, and width. The dimension of the cabinet is sent to the RoRo StretchPack® machine, which prepares the appropriately sized stretch hood film for the packaging process. Packaging and sealing is done in one single cold packaging process in contrast to wasting energy on heat shrink. The smooth and nice packaging result is achieved by utilizing the tensile forces of the stretch hood film.
Horizontal packaging using stretch hood film
Tentoma A/S installed the RoRo StretchPack® packaging solution at Proslat in Canada. The RoRo StretchPack® technology is based on well-proven stretch hood packaging technology for vertical hooding of e.g., pallets. Tentoma A/S is a Danish company that refined the technology to fit horizontal packaging, which enables 6-sided packaging and 100% sealed packaging in one operation. RoRo StretchPack® is suitable for 100% waterproof packaging of rolls, building materials and similar large products. The stretch hood film prevents excessive film use. This means when customers shift to RoRo StretchPack®, they typically see reductions in film consumption between 25-60% compared to conventional packaging methods such as orbital wrapping and heat shrink.
