Increasing production by 30% with cobot palletizing

AT A GLANCE

CLIENT:

LOCATION:

Montreal & Edmonton, Canada

SECTOR:

Manufacturing

SUPPLIER:

Vention

TECHNOLOGY / PRODUCT USED:

Cobot Palletizer

TARGETED APPLICATION

Automated palletizing

LEARN MORE

Read The Full Case Study Here

Increased productivity, predictability, and employee satisfaction

30%

Increase in productivity

↑↑↑

Production Predictability &

Employee Satisfaction

2 Weeks

Kick-off time

"This project has had 3 major benefits: employee satisfaction and retention; improved productivity, which I would estimate to be at about 30% more output… and the predictability of production."

Amir Karim, President & CEO

Customer Story - Cobot Palletizing with Polykar

The Challenge

Polykar is a leader in manufacturing sustainable packaging solutions, specializing in environmentally-friendly industrial garbage bags, compostable bags for organic waste collection, food packaging, and recycled polyethylene. Their packaging process was highly labor-intensive and prone to human error, requiring employees to manually pick up bags at the end of the line, fill and tape boxes, apply labels, and stack them on pallets. As demand for their products grew, Polykar recognized that the only way to scale their operations and boost productivity was through automation. This realization led them to seek a partner to implement industrial automation in both their Edmonton and Montreal plants.

The SOLUTION

Polykar chose to partner with Vention due to the continuity and support offered throughout the entire automation process. From the initial scoping to the final deployment in both their plants, Vention provided end-to-end service that ensured seamless integration of automated palletizing solutions. The partnership began at Polykar's new Edmonton facility, where the company first tested automated palletizing. Two cobot palletizers were deployed, each with a dual infeed system and capable of handling different SKUs. This solution not only optimized their operations but also showcased the flexibility of Vention's automation technology. After successfully testing and validating the system in Edmonton, Polykar replicated the solution at their Montreal facility. The Vention team ensured a successful implementation by being present on-site for deployment and providing comprehensive training to both the operations managers and machine operators. The Palletizer MachineApp is so intuitive and easy to use, that anyone on the team can now create new robotic palletizing patterns in minutes. By deploying these cobot palletizers, Polykar was able to reallocate its workforce from repetitive, labor-intensive tasks to more high-value activities, ultimately improving productivity and operational efficiency across both facilities.

KEY FEATURES

Scalable Palletizing System Deployed in Two Facilities:

Two cobot palletizers were deployed in both the Edmonton and Montreal facilities, each featuring a dual infeed system and capable of handling different SKUs.

Rapid Deployment and Replication:

The project moved from initial discussions to kick-off within two weeks, enabling Polykar to successfully test the system in Edmonton and then quickly replicate the solution in Montreal.

Intuitive Robot Programming:

The system utilizes the Palletizer MachineApp, which is so intuitive and easy to use, that anyone on the team can now create new robotic palletizing patterns in minutes.

RESULTS

With the introduction of cobot palletizers, Polykar experienced a 30% increase in production, marking a significant boost in operational efficiency. This boost enabled Polykar to scale their operations and meet growing demand for their products.

The transition to automation was well-received by the workforce, as it allowed employees to shift from repetitive, labor-intensive tasks to more value-added roles. By freeing up staff, the company not only improved productivity but also saw an increase in employee satisfaction and retention. The company strengthened its workforce and created a more stable, positive work environment.

Polykar achieved better predictability in its operations. Automation reduced health and safety risks, ensuring that production could continue running smoothly without the interruptions or hazards associated with manual processes.