Smyths Toys has implemented Sparck Technologies’ advanced right-size auto-boxing systems to boost throughput for its ecommerce business.
Sparck Technologies has provided Smyths Toys with three of its ‘fit-to-size’ CVP packaging systems – two CVP Impack machines, each capable of forming and sealing up to 500 tailor-made cardboard boxes per hour, along with its latest high-capacity model, the CVP Everest, which can create up to 1,100 right-sized boxes every hour.
Smyths Toys has over 100 stores in the UK and a busy website offering an extensive range of toys for all ages, from baby and preschool products to outdoor items and gaming.
The introduction of Sparck Technologies’ CVP auto-boxing machines is part of a major investment into warehouse automation at the toy retailer’s Corby, Northamptonshire, fulfilment centre, aimed at increasing capacity and improving sustainability. The move will see over 70% of orders packed automatically by Sparck’s CVP machines.
“We believe in automation and have invested in advanced technologies where we can see it will bring significant results,” said Stephen Kearney, warehouse manager at Smyths Toys.
“We needed to increase throughput for our fast-growing online business and the most obvious means of achieving the performance required, particularly for peak, was to leverage the speed and efficiency of right-size packaging technology.
“Importantly, these packaging systems are highly flexible, capable of producing tailor-made packages at speed, whilst being able to cater for single or multi-item orders with differing product profiles,” he says. “We could also see how fit-to-size packaging would help us further improve our position on sustainability through optimising package size and removing the need for void fill.”
To optimise throughput and minimise waste all three CVP machines supplied to Smyths Toys have dual induct stations and double corrugate feeders for 600mm and 800mm card. Advancing environmental performance, paper tape is used for sealing packages, aiding the recycling of cardboard.
