Sidel diversifies its WB wrap-around packing platform to handle RSC cases

Sidel has unveiled a new Cermex WB47 case packer, broadening its WB wrap-around range to handle not only the wrap-around blank family but also American cases (RSC and HSC). Furthermore, the upgraded WB platform ensures increased flexibility with briefer changeover times. In 45 years, the company has set up over 8,000 packers, including 1,000 wrap-around machines. 130+ units of the best-seller Cermex WB46 and the new Cermex WB47 have already been made in four years.

The present market condition calls for greater adaptability of equipment that is having the ablity of handling different combinations of primary and secondary packaging categorized in many batch sizes and configurations. Also, production runs are becoming shorter, and hence high flexibility with lowered downtime and quick, simpler and repeatable changeovers for case packing are necessary. Meeting the several requirements of supermarkets, discount stores, online retailers and more, the Cermex WB packing platform is truly uncommon for the Food, Home and Personal Care (FHPC) markets.

Didier Saussereau, packing product manager of Sidel stated- “The Cermex WB’s case-packing range is capable of handling a large variety of primary and secondary packaging types, including complete wrap-around blanks, trays, trays with ledges, two-piece packaging (tray plus lid), and provide Shelf-Ready Packaging (SRP) and easy-to-open functionalities. With the Cermex WB47, Sidel expands the flexibility and adaptability of the solution even more.”

The new case packer makes the running RSC and half slotted cases (HSC) possible with an elevated speed of 22 cases per minute as compared to 15 cases per minute with the conventional RSC case-packing range. Additionally, the wrap-around version can run at up to 30 blanks per minute. Therefore, if some brand owners are still operating today with RSC cases, choosing a WB47 still enables them to switch easily in the future to wrap-around blanks, thanks to this common platform and an uncomplicated upgrade kit. Additionally, the WB case-packing platform can perform ‘easy-to-operate’ up to fully automatic changeovers, thus lowering downtime when changing products, packaging, batch sizes or configurations. The average time for the changeover is five minutes, based on the version.

For those manufacturers who already have Cermex WB46 machines in their workshop, the new Cermex WB47 will not only broaden their secondary packaging options but will also maintain consistency of case-packing assets, with operators and maintenance staff easily trained, while optimizing spare parts management. “This was the case with two global brand owners who were satisfied with their well-acclaimed, proven and authentic Cermex WB46 solutions and decided to acquire the new WB47 to complete their packaging options,” added Didier.

The company designs and manufactures packing solutions for any secondary corrugated packaging. In 45 years, the company has established 8,000 packers globally, including 1,000 wrap-around machines. Thanks to various infeed and collation systems adapted to the primary packaging types, over130 Cermex WB units have been sold with different configurations for different market category needs since 2017.

Moreover, the company’s dedicated packing site in Corcelles-lès-Cîteaux (France), where the WB platform is manufactured was honoured with the official ‘Vitrine Industrie du Futur’ award in 2020. This prize identifies the implementation of Industry 4.0 initiatives with new technologies, such as robotics, cobotics, mechatronics, virtual commissioning, connected machines and digital twins. ‘Alliance Industrie du Futur’ (AIF) also applauded the site’s intention regarding eco-design and its strategy for training and talent recruitment, including the co-creation of a robotics school.