In today’s fast-paced manufacturing environment, particularly within the food industry, the focus of smart packaging has evolved beyond mere speed. Modern operations now prioritize traceability, sustainability and data-driven decision-making. Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) have become essential tools in achieving these goals, offering real-time insights and control over production processes.
The Evolving Role of MES in Packaging
MES platforms serve as the bridge between enterprise-level planning and shop-floor execution. They provide real-time monitoring and control of manufacturing processes, ensuring that each step, from raw material intake to final packaging, is optimized for efficiency and compliance. While fast packing remains important, it’s no longer enough in a landscape where accuracy, traceability and quality are equally critical. High-speed lines that produce overweight, underweight or mislabeled products can lead to financial losses, customer complaints or regulatory issues. By integrating MES into packaging operations, manufacturers gain the tools to move beyond speed- achieving precise control over product weights, minimizing waste, improving labeling accuracy and maintaining full traceability with confidence.
Reducing Giveaway and Controlling Product Weight
Product giveaway- the excess amount of product packed over the target weight- remains a hidden cost in many operations. While a few grams may seem minor, over time and across thousands of units, it results in significant loss (see the blog post with a real case study of lost money because of the overweight). MES systems installed at packing stations offer precise, real-time weighing data that alert operators or supervisors when weights consistently exceed or fall short of specification. Overweight packages trigger opportunities to fine-tune filling processes, while underweight detections help catch potential compliance issues before they reach customers- who today have little tolerance for inconsistency. With an MES in place, manufacturers make smarter decisions based on trends, avoid fines or returns and reduce unnecessary product loss.
Strengthen Traceability and Compliance
Traceability has become a non-negotiable aspect of food manufacturing, driven by stringent regulations and consumer demand for transparency. MES systems enable comprehensive tracking of products throughout the production cycle. This capability ensures that, in the event of a recall or quality issue, specific batches can be quickly identified and addressed- without needing to pause or cancel the entire production line. Instead of blanket shutdowns, operators can isolate only the affected time window or batch, minimizing downtime, reducing product loss and maintaining smooth operations. This level of granularity not only protects brand integrity but also strengthens customer trust through responsible, data-backed decision-making.
Sustainability Through Data-Driven Decisions
Sustainability is no longer just a corporate social responsibility buzzword; it’s a critical component of operational efficiency. MES platforms provide the data necessary to identify areas of waste, optimize resource utilization and implement continuous improvement initiatives. By analyzing production data, manufacturers can make informed decisions that align with both environmental goals and bottom-line objectives.
Spotlight on ScanPlant NG
ScanPlant NG, developed by Accuratech, exemplifies the capabilities of a modern MES tailored for the food industry. Its modular design allows for customization to specific production needs, ensuring seamless integration with existing systems. The platform offers real-time management of packing, weighing and labeling processes, supporting unique item numbering for full traceability. It can automatically detect weight deviations, interface with a wide range of equipment- from basic scales to advanced industrial terminals- and provide intuitive dashboards to keep operators and managers informed. ScanPlant NG doesn’t just collect data- it transforms it into actionable insights for better quality control and operational precision.
Conclusion
The paradigm of smart packaging has shifted to encompass more than just speed. With the integration of MES systems like ScanPlant NG, manufacturers can achieve enhanced traceability, sustainability and operational efficiency- while also significantly reducing product giveaway and packaging errors. Embracing these technologies is not merely an option but a strategic imperative for staying competitive in today’s increasingly data-driven and quality-focused manufacturing landscape.
Learn more about the digitalization in the webinar!
We want to share our knowledge and experience on how to unlock the full potential of these machines through smart digitalization.
Join us for an exclusive webinar where we’ll explore how digitalization helps manufacturers connect their end-of-line equipment to improve efficiency, reduce product giveaways and ensure full traceability.
Join our free online webinar:
📅 Date: 24. April
🕒 Time: 10:00 Baltic time (EET)
🌐 Language: English
🎤 Speakers:
- Guntis Dlohi, Head of Sales at Peruza
- Stuart McBride, Sales Director at Accuratech
In this session, we’ll focus specifically on end of line equipment- weighing units, labeling systems, packing lines- and demonstrate, through real-world case studies, how manufacturers are gaining actionable insights and operational improvements by digitalizing even stand-alone assets.
You’ll learn how to:
✅ Connect and collect data from your packing, weighing and labelling machines
✅ Reduce product waste and improve giveaway control
✅ Achieve compliance and traceability with ease
✅ Make smarter decisions with real-time production data
👉 Register Now: register here
