Labelling technology “Made in Germany” is in increasing demand worldwide: HERMA’s Labelling Machines division is breaking one sales record after another. Until 2020, revenues of HERMA’s smallest division to date are expected to rise to 55 million euros from 38.2 million euros in 2014, which was a 10 percent increase compared with 2013. Until late 2015, moreover, the division’s number of employees will rise to 156 – in early 2012, the total was only 110. The self-adhesives expert has now set the course for further growth at its Deizisau location: for the first time, not only label applicators but also complete labelling machines are manufactured in a synchronized production line. Implementing this form of serial production, HERMA takes one more step towards assembly automation. Depending on customer requirements and the respective industry, the complex labelling machines may combine, for instance, several label applicators, printers, inspection cameras, and rejection units. “Until now, we had a typical box assembly where all production steps took place at the same work station and all required parts and modules where transported there”, explains Martin Kühl, head of the Labelling Machines division.
Leading edge through excellent processes
In the now-implemented flow line assembly, there are four different stations with standardized cycle rates – a set-up that covers everything but the production of special machines. “We were able to considerably reduce production times through minimizing material flow paths alone – for some machine types, the times were even halved. Even though we are now producing more machines, our customers benefit from shorter delivery times that make planning easier”, adds production manager Willi Hack. Additionally, the production changeover creates positive effects for quality assurance since all work steps are now clearly defined and standardized. “Excellence in processes and production is becoming a more and more important USP, especially in sensitive branches such as the healthcare and food industry”, says division head Kühl. “In this regard, Deizisau now surely ranks among the state-of-the-art production sites worldwide.”
Well-utilized capacities
Thanks to the new flow-line assembly, HERMA is now also able to considerably increase the output of labelling systems while its production space remains the same. “Despite the well-utilized production capacities in Deizisau, we are able to gain additional assembly time. This allows us to concentrate on optimally meeting the currently high demand before a necessary expansion”, stresses Kühl.
