What Can Liquid Packaging Solutions Do For You in 2022?

For those familiar with Liquid Packaging Solutions, and even those packagers that have only visited our website, it is obvious that LPS manufactures a wide range of packaging equipment for an even wider range of products. Whether looking for turntables, conveyor systems, filling or capping machines or custom equipment, packagers familiar with LPS know they can call to get a quote on any machine or combination of machines. But LPS offers much more than just equipment.

This is necessitated by the fact that almost none of the equipment manufactured by LPS comes off the shelf. To be efficient, consistent and reliable, packaging equipment must be built for the product, bottle, caps or other components used in producing each specific item. So before any equipment is even started, Packaging Specialists from LPS will consult with the company or packager to ensure that the best equipment solutions are identified for the needs of the company and the components being used on the project. Depending on all of the factors and components involved, including automation, space, budget and more, this consultation may simply consist of a phone call to understand the project. In other cases, LPS may visit the packager's production area to better understand the project.

After the best equipment is identified based on the packagers wants and needs, other steps may be taken prior to the manufacture of the equipment as well. Line layouts can help a packager understand how a packaging line will sit in their building, to locate ideal spots for electric drops, air drops and even the best positioning for shipping, receiving or storage. Samples will almost always be requested for new packagers working with LPS to ensure bottles, caps and other components are what were described and expected, and to avoid any surprises during testing or after delivery. Once these, and other tasks depending on the project, are completed, manufacturing of the machinery will begin.

Once completed, LPS always suggests a Factory Acceptance Test, or FAT, which allows the packager to see the equipment at work. For this test, LPS will run the product, packaging and components of the packager whenever possible for several reasons. First, this allows both LPS and the packager to identify potential issues, if any, during the test. The FAT normally take place at LPS with the packager or those that will operate the equipment for the packager, present allowing the packager to get their first informal training and understand the controls and how the equipment works. Remote FAT's have taken the place of in-person tests over the last couple years, but the same goals are achieved. Finally, by running an FAT at LPS, any necessary or desired modification, changes or additions can be made before equipment is shipped to the production floor, saving both LPS and the packager time and money.

LPS also integrates and installs equipment to allow packagers to procure all of their equipment needs in one place. Installation allows the equipment to be set up properly from Day One while also allowing the operators of the equipment to understand that set up. Training at the packager's facility will be more in-depth than the FAT training and allows the packager to run the equipment with confidence and efficiency after the LPS representatives have left.

However, even after the equipment has been installed and the company takes over operation, LPS will continue to partner with each packager to ensure a long and useful life for all machinery. Technical service is always just a phone call away for unexpected issues or simply for a refresher on the operation of equipment due to employee turnover, new products or any other reason. In addition to technical service, LPS maintains a well-stocked parts division for wear and spare parts. From filling machines to bottle cappers and more, wear parts are a necessity in the packaging industry. Wear parts are those parts on equipment that may contact product, bottles, caps or other items. Over time, these parts will need to be replaced. While packagers are encouraged to keep the most common wear parts in stock, LPS strives to keep crucial parts in stock to reduce down-time should a packagers inventory hit zero.

In 2022, just like every other year, LPS works not only to manufacture packaging machinery, but also to provide a partner for each of our packagers to ensure success in this and every year that follows. As true in our first year as in the current year, the success of LPS truly depends on the success of each member of our packaging family.