Every business has a sweet spot in their operations, making the best use of both human and automated resources. You want enough human eyes on your product so you can have quality control, but some automation is cheaper to operate than paying for skilled labor. Here are some things to consider when choosing the right automation for your business.
Compare the costs of operation.
Compare the cost of automation to the cost of labor. Here is one example of how you could calculate this:
- Calculate how many man hours you will need to run fillers of varying automation.
- Calculate the cost of those man hours. (may be different than hourly rate, depending on benefits)
- Estimate the increase in utility costs for each level of automation.
- Compare these costs to the cost of labor.
This will give you a clear picture of what level of operation is most financially sound.
Know exactly how much space you can afford to dedicate to a filler machine.
If you have a smaller factory, you may be quite limited on how much space you can dedicate to a filler machine. Machines with more automation are going to be bulkier. You may not have enough room to put in a fully automated filler. Even larger operations should carefully consider the most efficient use of their space.
Research the cost of equipment.
What type of filler you get will also be determined by the consistency and nature of your product, as well as your packaging. The costs of filler equipment can vary quite a bit. Contact our office to get assistance determining your needs and estimating a cost.
Compare the cost of training for different levels of automation.
Even if you don’t hire new employees, you have to have some comprehensive training whenever you bring new equipment into your operation. Even if you do it in-house, training costs money. You’ll have to pay for at least one person in your organization to get in-depth training so that they can train others. You’ll then have to pay that trainer for their new job duties and also pay employees for factory downtime. Calculate all of these costs and compare them for different levels of semi- or full automation.
If you need any assistance deciding which filler machine is right for you, we are always here to answer your questions and provide information. Contact us today for a consultation.
