Fapco is heavily invested in machinery and automated systems, such as automated part kitting and parts procurement, to expedite any large volume small parts kitting and packaging challenge.

Steve Hurt, supervisor over a variety of Fapco’s automated systems, addressed this investment as he pointed out the attributes of the line in full production, “Just one of these bowl counters represents an investment of about $65,000.  It allows us to count small parts for packaging. We dump the bulk parts into the bowl, set the counter for a number to count, and an electronic eye counts the parts as they go into a hopper. Once it hits the count needed, it opens up the hopper then automatically drops it and seals it in the pre-printed bag,” he pointed out as the machine ran through its cycles.

The investment in these machines pays off by lowering the costs for Fapco customers and increasing the total efficiency of the operation.  “The first week running this set we did 250,000 parts in about four days in just one shift,” stated Hurt.

Automation gives Fapco the capability of packaging small parts into kits–such as six bolts, six nuts, and six washers bagged and labeled–at dramatically higher speeds and volumes than cumbersome in-house, hand packaging departments.

“We can also print out any information on the bag the customer wants.  A customer we have right now was hand bagging everything and were falling further behind each day.  After their first order ran they were amazed.  What took them one shift with six people working three days, we did it in one shift in one day with two people.  It’s an enormous savings on labor,” concluded Hurt.

Let Fapco’s Investment Pay Off for Your Company 

Fapco has the capabilities to provide you with some of the most reliable automated packaging for small parts. Using our solutions, you’ll benefit from packaging systems that can handle products in high volume while maintaining consistent efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Here are a couple of those specific systems that we can implement in our operations to give you the reliable packaging that you need for a wide range of products. You can learn even more about our processes when you consult with one of our packaging professionals for a complete custom packaging solution.

The Kit-Veyor

One Kit-Veyor has the capacity of fitting six bowls of different parts to be bagged together.  Six different parts are packaged into one bag automatically. The machine is loaded and then does the work with one operator. A precise scale at the end of the line double checks for missing components and expels any package with missing or extra parts.  The system is so adaptable it can be set up for a run in just a half an hour and can then run 50,000 pieces individually put in bags in one shift in any combination of kitting and packaging.

Label and Package to your Specifications

High-speed semi-automated systems such as Fapco’s Maximizer increase capacity for small to medium sized items (up to 3.5 in. X 3.5 in. X 10 in.)  This results in up to 20,000 units processed per shift.  Chipboard, clamshell, bagging, skin, blister packaging and up to six color printing is available in-house at Fapco.

Get Reliable Packaging for Small Parts in High-Volume at Fapco Today

Regardless of the specific needs of your application, you’ll be able to benefit from top-quality packaging solutions that serve as a worthwhile investment. Your products will be consistently protected from damage while helping ensure that your operations are efficient. We have all of the resources required to help you get exactly what you need today. Contact us today and one of our experts will be able to help you determine which solution is ideal for your business.

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Begin the Process of Partnering with a Contract Packager for Seasonal Flex Demand

1. Make a thorough review of your supplier base

Simply put, is your supply base ready to help you meet your flex parts fulfillment or kit packaging needs? This involves gauging how much inventory is out there, how much inventory you want in the network coming through the fulfillment house and how much product is in the pipeline to replenish the contract packager to support the campaign.

2. Assess your current parts packaging/distribution/warehouse system. Do you currently have a parts distribution warehouse system?

If not, where can you build in efficiencies using the full range of services from your contract packaging and fulfillment supplier? You may want to consolidate all your suppliers to ship, warehouse and fulfill through your full service contract packager during these peak periods.

3. Are there procurement opportunities with your contract packaging partner that can expedite the supply chain?

Well-established, full service contract packagers such as Fapco can actually procure the parts directly from your supply base during peak demand periods. This can expedite the supply chain dramatically. In this scenario, parts are ordered and purchased by the contract packager. Once received parts are packaged and shipped or warehoused based on historical peak demands.

4. Work with the full-service contract packager to streamline and customize your packaging needs.

How does this flex demand packaging usually ship and is there a better way? Is it in bulk boxes, point of purchase or point of sale materials—from clamshells to blister packs for rack hanging? The team at Fapco will work closely with your flex demand campaign managers to make sure the packaging is right to save you time and lower your costs. Whatever your packaging and display guidelines and specifications, Fapco works to make them better and less costly.

5. How is the product coming in and what is the plan to fulfill?

Is the product coming in raw in an overseas container? Will Fapco be purchasing some components directly? Once this is determined what will the flex program actually be? Many manufacturers ship specific numbers of seasonal parts to distribution centers or dealerships based on previous years’ demand.

Others support the launch of new products, equipment or vehicles with estimated seasonal bundles. Fapco has the experience with a wide variety of OEMs to help your company work through this seasonal program in the most efficient manner. And see our part kitting services.

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