ITW Signode in India is a leading Industrial Packaging solutions provider with manufacturing facilities at Rudraram - Andhra Pradesh, Surangi - UT of Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Pune - Maharashtra and Rudrapur - Uttarakhand. The company's comprehensive packaging solutions include products and services. Product offering encompasses strapping, wrapping, taping, and protective packaging consumables, tools and equipment to apply the consumables, and parts. A wide range of services include on-site packaging, on-site maintenance, preventive maintenance, AMCs, field engineering, package testing and packaging design, audit and consultancy. Mr N L N Raju, Chief Operating Officer, ITW Signode in India, responded to the IPF Questionnaire for the Special Focus on Printing & Packaging Equipment. Excerpts

How was ITW Signode's experience in India for the past two decades? What are the milestones?

ITW Signode India has developed and implemented segment specific packaging solutions and introduced many new technologies in the arena of metals, textiles, durables, fibre, auto components. These include high speed automatic coil packing lines, polyester strap based solutions, high speed automatic stretch wrapping, PP strapping and taping solutions. The company has set-up state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities to produce plastic, paper based packaging materials and semi-automatic and fully automatic packing machines.

ITW Signode serves a wide spectrum of industries. In which of these segments does ITW Signode focus its packaging solutions?

ITW Signode is structured to serve end market segments. Metals, textiles, automotive, durables, paper and beverages are the current key segments. We started focusing on food and pharmaceutical solutions for the past few years and are in the process of implementing new solutions to these industry segments.

What is the market share of ITW Signode in the food and beverages packaging sector?

Food and beverages started bulk packing and handling in the recent past and we are associated with the change with all key players in these segments through equipment and consumables.

What are the processing technologies that ITW Signode applies as a part of its packaging tasks?

We adopt the process of evaluating the current packaging practices, field engineering tests of new packing concepts, testing these concepts with a full-fledged in-house packaging lab and develop a solution suitable to Indian conditions and export packaging. Strategic inputs from customers such as productivity improvement, cost reduction, sustainability are considered while developing the solutions.

Reusable/recyclable packaging materials are recommended as much as possible to address environmental friendly packaging and cost effective implementation.

How does ITW Signode solve problems that are normally encountered while filling carbonated soft drinks?

We have not yet introduced this technology in India as of now. However, ITW has specific technology to address the bubbling problem while filling and packing carbonated soft drinks. ITW Signode is actively involved with our esteemed customers in changing the pack styles from corrugated box packing to shrink based packing systems for carbonated soft drinks.

What are the unique trends that ITW Signode applies in its packaging endeavours?

We are a single stop shop for all secondary packaging needs of various industry segments. Packaging services at customer place, field engineering services, sustainable packaging solutions and consultancy are the key differentiators for us. What are the future plans of ITW Signode in India and at global levels? ITW Signode is focusing on providing recyclable/reusable packaging solutions. We are also adopting AIDC, WMS and ASRS systems to improve the supply chain efficiencies in various segments.

We have entered high quality label business and automatic print and apply label solutions for the industry.

5FAM-HS A Fully Automatic High Throughput Carton Sealing Machine

ITW Signode has designed and developed a fully automatic high throughput Carton Sealing Machine, Model 5FAM-HS. This is the latest in the range of carton sealing machines from the company, the leader in industrial packaging solutions committed to improving productivity and profitability. Model 5FAM-HS won the Pacmachine Award in 2010. The Problem The machine was designed to overcome the limitations of the machines then in use: Low throughput No carton counter No power saving option, and No safety guarding The Challenges To meet the expectations of customers `with high capacity filling lines' in terms of higher through put(>25 cartons per minute) , user safety, power consumption and quick carton change over. The Innovation ITW Signode developed an economical high throughput taping machine (35+ cartons per minute) with built-in electrically interlocked poly carbonate safety guards. Use, Advantages and Effectiveness 5FAM-HS machines are designed for high throughput over 35+cartons per minute enhancing productivity. Machine is indigenously developed and can run through PLC programme thus reducing operating costs and increasing profits Major serving segments: Food and Beverages, Lube oil, etc. Designed to meet taping requirement at the end of the high capacity filling lines. Cost competitiveness, function versatility This high speed taping machine eliminates the need to invest in multiple taping machines to pack high volumes. One high speed machine is capable of catering to the entire volumes of the plant 5FAM-HS integrates seamlessly with high capacity production/filling lines enabling automated in line packaging The safety guards ensure safe operation of the machine even at high speeds Saves space Saves manpower Saves in plant material handling and work in process inventory, and Preserves carton aesthetics as manual handling is minimised or even eliminated. National/International Certification The machine is built as per CE standards. Environmental Friendliness 5FAM-HS is indigenously designed and developed with all safety precautions. Machine works on electric power and pneumatic air There is no carbon emission and the noise level is well controlled ITW India Limited, Hyderabad. Tel: 040-23353781. Fax: 91-40-23353791. Email: info@itwindia.com