| clocks for websites |
Article
In the Fold
April 1, 2008 By: Chris Raney Paperboard PackagingWe Need to Talk
Usually "we need to talk" sets us up for a letdown. But this time, it's a good thing. Whether it's between family, friends or in business, maintaining an open dialogue is essential for success. It often heads off small issues before they become large problems, and the ongoing exchange of ideas fosters the growth of all parties.
 Chris Raney |
An open dialogue is as much a part of the suppliers' research and development as the work of the engineers, product and process specialists who work closely with and listen to the industry and manufacturers like you. They bring back the valuable information that is used to keep us all, suppliers and customers alike, ahead of market trends.
You, the end user, are essential to the suppliers' R&D process. It's important that you communicate to your suppliers what you perceive as your current and future needs. Include your complaints, but also explain your aspirations and dreams for your businesses. Without this information, suppliers cannot possibly provide the equipment you'll need in the future to enter new markets, improve quality and produce your products more efficiently and economically.
Your OEM should be helping you reduce your production costs in a number of ways, most importantly by providing the tools to improve your productivity. Developments like smart feeding systems on diecutters and the ability to leave four- and six-corner equipment on folder-gluers have helped manufacturers increase the productivity of their equipment without necessarily pushing up running speeds.
In addition, your supplier should be helping you reduce operating costs. A classic example is the high cost of tooling for blank separation. As a result of end user input, a lightweight blanking tool system has been developed that makes it easy and cost-effective to produce lower blanking tools in-house. A system was designed with reusable components that create a very rigid tool. This eliminated many issues end users reported with earlier in-house systems. Now it's economical to blank shorter and even non-repeat runs, opening new markets for many converters.
One of the best ways suppliers bring value to your business is to help you enter new markets or exploit existing ones. New, more sophisticated or innovative equipment and retrofits for existing machines can help you make products you couldn't before, and reach higher standards of quality and efficiency.
For example, many commercial printers now use automatic diecutters, which give them access to product opportunities from presentation folders to beer coasters — most of which they would have struggled to produce on their old cylinder machines. Similarly, carton makers are adding CD wallet devices to their folder-gluers to exploit the CD/DVD market for CDs and DVDs.
Sometimes a productivity booster brings other benefits. Since first appearing at Germany's drupa exhibition in 2000, dynamic register systems have gradually cascaded through manufacturers' product ranges, a bit like CD players or GPS in cars. Ten years ago these were a bit of a novelty, but now we almost expect them in our new purchases — and are a little disappointed if they are not there.
In addition to the iron, there's a "soft technology" side to quality improvement. Most suppliers are in a position to provide customers with a wealth of education that can help improve the quality of your products. This can be achieved through on- or off-site training, technical seminars, operational manuals and even, in this era of virtual study, websites with helpful information about products and production processes.
OEMs must listen to their customers and their markets to develop innovative equipment, technology, and services that address manufacturers' needs and developing trends. That's why we need to talk — and as you can see, many good things can result from an open line of communication.
Chris Raney is vice president, Folding Carton products for Bobst Group USA, Roseland, N.J. He is responsible for the Folding Carton Business Area for the North American market. He can be reached at christopher.raney@bobstgroup.com.
