Automated packaging is transforming the way manufacturers operate. From increasing production speed to reducing material use, the right packaging system can deliver measurable benefits across multiple areas of a business.
Yorkshire Packaging Systems (YPS) has worked with manufacturers across a huge range of industries to provide solutions that increase throughput, improve consistency, and support sustainability goals. Here’s a look at the key advantages of automated packaging and real-world examples from our customers.
Increase packaging speed and capacity
One of the main reasons manufacturers invest in automation is to increase line speed and overall output. Faster production not only supports business growth but also helps meet peak demand periods efficiently.
Examples from YPS customers:
- Contract packer, packing medical testing kits: Upgraded to an automatic l-sealer shrink wrapper, achieving 2,000 units per hour, a significant increase from their previous semi-automatic system.
- Online apparel retailer: This ecommerce fashion business saw a more than 50% increase in throughput after moving to a semi-automated bagging system from a manual operation.
- Other industries: Dairy farms, pharmaceutical companies, bedding suppliers and cheese producers have all benefited from increased throughput by investing in automated bagging and shrink wrapping systems.
Automated systems allow manufacturers to scale without the need for extra staff, making production more predictable and efficient.
Improve pack consistency and product protection
Automated packaging systems deliver greater pack consistency, whether shrink wrapping, bagging or stretch wrapping.
Multiple programmes can be saved with optimal settings for different products or pack sizes. This feature provides fast changeovers between products and consistency even where used by different operators. The finished pack can deliver enhanced product protection, stability and aesthetics.
Examples from YPS customers:
- Premium tableware producer: Their new sleeve sealer provides tightly wrapped product bundles that no longer require additional packaging and which deliver improved protect protection in transit.
- Pharmaceutical manufacturer: Improved pack consistency was achieved, as well as the higher throughput they required, with the installation of an automatic l-sealer.
- Dairy farm: Pallets of milk cartons can be unstable as they are wrapped, so YPS installed a rotating arm pallet wrapper that achieved stability during packing and greater containment during transit.
- Ecommerce customers: Horizontal bagging lines adjust pack length to the product size as standard and to its width, if required. This results in greater product protection as the pack travels through the courier network, reduced packaging materials consumption and a better looking finished pack.
Reduce labour costs for fast ROI
The move to automated packing from manual processes naturally reduces reliance on labour. The resulting cost reduction can also deliver a short payback on the machinery investment.
Examples from YPS customers:
- Clothing retailer: Investment in vertical bagging machinery resulted in redeployment of staff from their four manual packing stations to other departments in their business, while achieving a 50% increase in packing capacity.
- Homewares supplier: Reduced their pack bench count from 15 to 6, while improving throughput, with the installation of a horizontal bagging line. This customer’s savings result in an investment payback period of less than 12 months.
Lower material use and support sustainability goals
With the introduction of the pEPR regulations and a general growing focus on sustainability, an increased number of companies are looking to reduce their packaging materials use. Automated packaging machinery can create tight finished packs that lower material consumption.
In addition, technically-advanced high-strength materials allow downgauging of film which also results in lower levels of plastics use.
Examples from YPS customers:
- Crockery manufacturer: Overall packaging materials were reduced following installation of their sleeve sealer shrink wrapper, as the paper used to separate each item in a bundle was no longer required.
- Food producer: The supply of value-engineered, downgauged film achieved a significant saving in overall materials use.
Tailored solutions for manufacturer goals
There are such a wide range of packaging solutions that the YPS Team is able to propose ideal solutions to deliver on the requirements of manufacturers. For example, where space is limited, compact shrink wrappers and non-turntable pallet wrappers are available.
In addition, we work with machinery manufacturers to specify modified solutions if needed, for applications that are unusual or unique.
Examples from YPS customers:
- Food manufacturer: This particular producer needed all of the benefits of an automated l-sealer but within a smaller footprint as they had little available space in their factory. YPS supplied a compact l-sealer.
- Bedding manufacturer: This system used a standard horizontal bagging machine as its base, but modifications such as an extended sealing jaw and additional pack presser ensured it could handle the bulky products for which it was intended.
Discover your ideal packaging system
The YPS Team will be at Stand S100 at Packaging Innovations to talk through the latest developments in automated packaging and how it can help your business. This event will take place at the NEC on 11th & 12th February 2026.
For ecommerce businesses, we’ll also be exhibiting our bagging equipment at Intralogistex at the NEC on March 18th and 19th 2026.
YPS are always happy to host customers at our own packaging showroom located just off the motorway network in West Yorkshire.
Feel free to get in touch to discuss what you need from your packaging system.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONs
Find out more about the benefits of automated packaging by reading the Frequently Asked Questions we’ve compiled.
Accordion Content
Automated packaging lines significantly speed up the process of packaging compared with manual or semi-automatic processes, leading to increases in throughput. Much fewer people are required to operate the packaging line, with an associated reduction in labour costs. They also ensure greater consistency in the finished pack and create a professional look to the final product.
All types! Whether it’s shrink wrapping, bagging or pallet wrapping that is needed, an automated or semi-automated packaging line will be faster and handle greater throughput than a manual process. While they all offer slightly different benefits, shrink wrappers such as l-sealers, sleeve sealers and side sealers and both horizontal and vertical bagging machines can all deliver increased throughput.
It is possible to process thousands of units per hour. Often, the line is limited by how swiftly it can be fed from downstream operations. The exact throughput achieved will depend on the type of machine and on the products that are being processed. L-sealers are the fastest type of shrink-wrapping machine; for bagging machines, horizontal models are faster than vertical ones. For a detailed appraisal of what’s possible for your own operation, please contact the YPS Team.
An automated packaging system will use power to drive it and therefore energy usage will be increased. However, this can be minimised by ensuring that the line is properly calibrated. Furthermore, there are sustainable gains to be made. Automated lines often minimise packaging materials use, reducing costs and pEPR obligations. In addition, some machines and products allow the use of downgauged materials which further reduces overall packaging consumption.
