Ranpak expands packaging automation partnership with Medline

Ranpak, a sustainable packaging automation technology and solutions provider, has expanded its partnership with Medline Industries, the largest provider of surgical products and supply chain solutions serving all points of care.

Medline has integrated four Cut’it! EVO systems and five Form’it! systems into four outbound lines. The systems are also supported by a consolidated set of carton footprints at one distribution center.

The two automated packaging systems are designed to modernize end-of-line packaging, providing a scalable solution that aims to improve throughput and enhance labor efficiency across Medline’s high-volume outbound operations.

Bryan Boatner, Ranpak’s chief revenue officer, says: “Medline is a valued leader in healthcare distribution and Ranpak is proud to support its commitment to efficiency and sustainability through our automation technology.” 

“The deployment of the Cut’it! EVO and Form’it! systems demonstrates how intelligent packaging solutions can meaningfully benefit business and enhance customer experience at scale for customers across sectors and specialties.”

Improving efficiency

Ranpak recently enhanced its Cut’it! EVO automated in-line packaging machines with three digital tools that deliver an unrivaled rate of investment to end-of-line packaging applications, according to the company.

The system is said to optimize the height of shipping boxes after items have been picked and packed to reduce void, and automatically closes and seals them.

Form’it! automated case erector is developed for forming and sealing corrugated boxes from flat blanks to deliver “consistent, ready-to-pack cartons at high speed.”

Daniel Schwartz, vice president of Engineering, Operations at Medline, says: “When we can get our customers what they need using smaller and more sustainable packages, that’s a meaningful operational benefit.”

“Using Ranpak’s end-of-line solutions allows us to rightsize our packaging materials while also adopting packaging that uses recyclable paper, increasing the sustainability profile and lowering the shipped volume of our packages while providing convenience for our customers.” 

The company can now handle more than 10,000 cartons per day while maintaining operational flexibility to support future needs. 

These solutions also enable the company to reduce its carton assortment from 18 stock keeping units to four, while improving labor efficiency by streamlining repetitive manual tasks and promoting employee upskilling.