Cartoning systems today and beyond

A conversation about trends, challenges and solutions in cartoning.

Cartoning today means faster turnover, more flexibility and a variety of materials and shapes. Food and Beverage Packaging spoke with two companies about what’s trending with cartoning systems and the challenges and solutions that arise.

Meet the contributors:

Mike Wilcox, VP sales, marketing & after market sales, Delkor Systems

Janet Darnley, marketing manager, Kliklok-Woodman

Food and Beverage Packaging: What is trending with cartons and cartoning?

Mike Wilcox: Trends include flexibility of forming and closing machines to handle more variety of shapes and sizes, reducing changeover time, simplifying changeover requirements and the use of servo technology to better handle carton shapes and materials. Also, interchangeability between paperboard and corrugated cartons is big, as well as demanding graphic designs requiring precision forming and sealing, more top load designs versus end or side load, automated loading of the cartons, retail ready and shelf ready designs and faster lead times for machine delivery.

Janet Darnley: The biggest trends in cartons are special shapes. Everyone is trying to differentiate themselves in the marketplace today. One way of doing so is by looking different or unique. Special shapes have always been a part of our business and traditionally been produced on top load cartoners but recently we have seen more opportunity to produce special shapes on endload applications. As to cartoning lines, generally customers are looking for more flexibility which includes special shapes and greater size ranges with reduced changeover times or centerline capabilities.

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