SUN Automation Group Welcomes Two New Members to the Senior Leadership Team

SUN Automation Group® (SUN), a global leader in providing innovative solutions to the global corrugated industry, is proud to announce two well-deserved promotions within its organization to expand its Senior Leadership Team. Aaron Schlothauer has been promoted to VP of Engineering, and Gokul Gopakumar has been promoted to VP of Technology and Business Development, both will support SUN’s relentless commitment to provide the highest level of technology and services to its customers.

“Adding Aaron & Gokul to our Senior Leadership Team strengthens our entire organization and gives SUN tremendous momentum and stability for many years to come,” says Chris Kyger, President at SUN. “Aaron and Gokul continue to exceed my expectations with their intellect, dedication, and passion to drive innovation and continuous improvement across the entire organization. Their desire and ability to connect with and mentor their colleagues and peers puts my confidence level in our leadership team at an all-time high.”

Aaron will lead SUN’s global engineering operations, he will oversee production & retrofit engineering, new product development, and innovation. With over 15 years of industry experience, including previously serving as the Director of Product Development at SUN, Aaron’s depth of product knowledge combined with his technical, design, and application expertise will provide SUN’s customers with the assurance that the equipment they receive will help them exceed their production goals.

Gokul will lead SUN’s technology development & implementation and business development activities. Gokul will continue to develop and lead Helios, SUN’s OEM-agnostic IIoT solution designed by corrugated experts for the corrugated industry. “Gokul’s previous experience as the Senior Director of Electrical Engineering at Sun and his extended experience spanning 10 years of designing, maintaining, and innovating solutions in different capacities in industries including Oil & Gas, Food & Beverage, and power infrastructure is an asset that will allow him to continue to serve as an innovation leader at Sun Automation. In this new role, Gokul will be identifying, and bringing to Sun’s repertoire new disruptive technologies, product ideas and business opportunities that will grow Sun’s ability to continue serving its customers as the industry-leading provider of solutions for the box plant today and in the future.”

“Aaron and Gokul have demonstrated great collaboration with our customers, integrating the Voice of the Customer along with their own creative expertise into solutions that bring great value to box making operations,” said Greg Jones, Executive Vice President at SUN. “I have personally witnessed, on many occasions, the confidence they give our customers in our ability to improve their operational efficiencies. We, as an organization, are very excited for Gokul and Aaron and look forward to how this will ultimately benefit our customers and the industry at large.”

For more information about the new leadership team and the equipment, parts and service from SUN Automation Group, visit www.sunautomation.com.

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2022 Equipment & Service Catalog Now Available

SUN Automation Group ® (SUN), the global leader in providing innovative solutions to the corrugated industry, is announcing the publication of their 2022 Equipment & Service Catalog featuring a new design and expanded product list.

Click to Download the New 2022 Equipment & Service Catalog

The Equipment & Service Catalog includes more than 30 corrugated industry equipment and machinery, parts, and service available for ordering through SUN. Featuring an extensive range of products, such as rotary die cutters, flexo folder gluers, and IIoT solutions, and other corrugated industry items, the SUN portfolio of solutions is crafted to help box plants improve their versatility and flexibility to meet challenging supply chain trends.

Equipment & Service Catalog Chapters Include: 

For customers that would like to request a copy of the new 2022 Equipment & Service Catalog Now Available, copies will be available at SUN Automation Group® Global Headquarters in Baltimore, USA, SUN Automation Group, EMEA in Bristol UK, and Sun Automation Co., Ltd Asia Guangzhou, China – as well as available at all tradeshows SUN will be attending in 2022.

Download Your Copy Today

Upgrade your current workhorse or purchase a brand new one for delivery in 2023. Browse through SUN’s full line of corrugated converting, feeding, and printing equipment. With our unmatched service offerings and equipment spanning RDC and FFG options, SUN has got you covered.

 

 

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Global Partnerships Shine as LMC and PARA Appear at ExpoACCCSA 2022

Latitude Machinery Corp. (LMC) and PARA are set to appear together at the 40th Annual International Convention and Exhibition ACCCSA in the capital city of San José, Costa Rica from June 14-16. Held at the Hotel Real Intercontinental, ExpoACCCSA will feature more than 90 vendors, the largest display of the latest technologies and solutions for your business in the Latin American corrugated industry.

The expo provides the corrugated industry in Latin America with a platform to continue proposing solutions that improve efficiency, effectiveness and competitive capacity. As LMC and PARA expand their reach into the Americas through strategic partnerships, such as that with SUN Automation Group, their presence at ExpoACCCSA showcases their commitment to providing the highest level of service and innovative corrugated solutions on a global scale.

“Our goal is to speak directly to our customers in Latin America to understand the challenges they face and provide the right solutions for their operations. With such a broad portfolio of corrugated equipment­­ across these partnerships, we aim to service their needs above and beyond a ‘one size fits all’ approach,” said Brian Kentopp, Vice President of Sales at SUN Automation Group.

At this year’s expo, LMC will be highlighting their Flexo Folder Gluers and Rotary Die Cutters. Known for their reliability, LMC equipment is a global success with machine sizes ranging from Mini to Jumbo. PARA will be showcasing their ELEVA palletizer and satellite system designed for Rotary Die Cutters and Flexo Folder Gluers. ELEVA is a high-speed palletizer with bundles turner, doubler, and layer disposition, installed on a unique monoblock, taking significantly less real estate. Its compact design allows facilities to optimize loading and shipping times, maximize their shop floor and increase safety for operators, and installation time has been shown to be reduced tremendously.

To learn more about how LMC and PARA can up-level your corrugated operations, visit booths 70 and 72 at ExpoACCCSA, and visit www.sunautomation.com. For additional information about ExpoACCCSA, visit http://www.acccsa.org/Convencion/15.

 

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SUN Automation Group Highlights Innovative Corrugated Converting Solutions at CCE International

SUN’s latest solutions and global partnerships will be showcased in Hall A4, Booth 2534

SUN Automation Group ® (SUN), the global leader in providing innovative solutions to the corrugated industry, will be showcasing its latest technologies at CCE International, March 15-17 in Hall A4, Booth 2534 at the Munich Trade Fair Centre.

SUN will be highlighting the Electra-Flow Electric Ink Pump, a patent-pending, electrically powered, double diaphragm ink pump that has all the qualities of an air-powered ink pump while offering a cleaner, safer, and more cost-effective operation. With multiple placements already in Europe, the inherent design not only lowers maintenance and material costs, it also eliminates the need for costly air consumption and associated pneumatic plumbing and valves required for air-powered pumps.

“We are pleased to introduce this innovative solution to the global corrugated market and look forward to meeting with attendees to discuss all things corrugated under SUN – including recent partnerships and investments that have helped us to best serve box plants worldwide,” says Rob Dal Lago, Managing Director, EMEA at SUN.

As such, experts will also be on hand to discuss the newly released Helios machine learning/IIOT platform and SUN’s strategic partnerships like that with PARA Machinery. PARA is a leading supplier of corrugated material handling systems and solutions with over 15,000 products installed worldwide, featuring an extensive product range of pre-feeders, palletizers, RDC stackers, bundle breakers, pallet inserters, vertical storage solutions, paper mill roll transports, and unit conveyors systems from corrugator to converting equipment using smart carts.

Additionally, visitors can visit the booth to learn more about SUN’s renowned lead edge feeders, Microgrind® anvil trimmers, EZ covers, and other retrofits and upgrades will also be showcased at the event. These proven solutions can help box plants maximize productivity while minimizing costs.

“We are excited to gather with customers and colleagues at CCE to showcase these renowned products and collaborate to integrate efficient and sustainable solutions into their operations,” says Dal Lago.

For more information on SUN Automation Group and presence at CCE International, visit  www.sunautomation.com/events/

 

 

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New LMC Jumbo Rotary Die Cutter Installed at Gerrity in Ontario

SUN Automation Group Installed a Jumbo Rotary Die Cutter (RDC) at Gerrity Corrugated Paper Products Ltd. in Concord, Ontario, Canada

SUN Automation Group (SUN), a global leader in providing innovative solutions to the global corrugated industry, is proud to announce it has placed Latitude Machinery Corporation’s (LMC) Jumbo Rotary Die Cutter (RDC) P-Series at Gerrity Corrugated Paper Products Ltd. in Concord, Ontario.

Gerrity chose the LMC Jumbo P-Series RDC because of its size, LMC’s reputation for quality, and SUN Automation Group’s reputation for service and support.

“We needed to replace an older machine of similar size and the LMC Jumbo RDC fits perfectly into our bay and customer mix,” says Chris Maisonneuve Operations Manager of Gerrity.  “From delivery, to install and service, everything has gone well and we couldn’t be happier with our experience and the machine’s output.”

The machine is integrated with an AG Stacker, an Alliance pre-feeder, and C & M conveyer.  The machine was sold by Mikah Thorne, SUN Automation Group’s partner in Canada.  SUN Automation Group will provide service, parts and technical support for the machine, as it does with all LMC equipment throughout Canada, the US, Mexico, and Central America.

LMC is a rapidly growing and world-class manufacturer of Rotary Die Cutters, Flexo Folder Gluers, and other solutions to the corrugated industry, with now over 100 machines in the field across North America.  SUN entered into an exclusive strategic partnership agreement with Latitude Machinery Corporation (LMC) in 2019, and since then has been the exclusive North and Central America representative of all LMC machinery and supports its current customers with parts and service.

“Gerrity is an excellent partner and we are confident in the success of the LMC Jumbo for their needs,” said Greg Jones, Executive Vice President, SUN Automation Group. “We are honored to work with LMC and provide sales, service and support to customers in the North American and Central American Market.”

 

 

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Highcon signs with Sun Automation to accelerate digital finishing for corrugated in North America

Press release first posted on HighCon news site HERE

As the world starts to emerge from the effects of the pandemic, Highcon has taken strides to expand its ongoing investment and commitment in North and South America, to better support a rapidly growing customer base and accelerate growth of the digital finishing market.

Taking advantage of the IPO that floated Highcon on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange at the end of last year, Highcon has doubled its headcount in North America during the first four months of 2021. It has expanded its sales, support, and customer success teams to take advantage of the growth in the folding carton and corrugated packaging and display markets.

Highcon General Manager and VP Sales, Americas, Mike Ciaramella said: “One of the effects of the pandemic has been a greater demand for, and appreciation of, the benefits digital finishing offers. Highcon’s ability to turn jobs around fast and support local supply chains with differentiated, high quality packaging and displays allows clients to rapidly expand their production to service and meet growing market demand for short to medium run packaging and display.  Highcon is expanding to meet the needs of its growing customer base.” 

To further extend its reach, Highcon has also partnered with Sun Automation who will be promoting and selling Highcon digital converting solutions for corrugated in North America.

Paul Aliprando, Vice President, Digital Technologies at SUN Automation Group® said: “We are excited to be adding the Highcon digital converting systems to our extensive range of innovative equipment for corrugated box plants with the aim of increasing production, efficiency, and profitability. “

As Covid-19 restrictions start to ease, Highcon CEO, Shlomo Nimrodi is back in the USA meeting customers and supporting their business growth – another encouraging sign.

Within the past six months Digital Room, Boxes Inc, and The BoxMaker have all purchased multiple Highcon digital converting machines and have ramped up into production in record time with expert assistance from the Highcon Customer Success team. And, there are more new customers on the way.

According to Jason Mueller, Sr. Vice President and General Manager, Boxes Inc. and Mid-America Display. “Our entire team has been excited about the introduction of the Highcon Beam 2C alongside our two EFI Nozomi C18000 Printers. We have been able to boost our Xceed, print-on-demand e-commerce solution for corrugated production, attract new customers, streamline workflow and remove bottlenecks.“

Highcon will be exhibiting on the Sun Automation booth at the upcoming Supercorr Expo to be held Aug 7–Aug 11, 2021 at the Orange County Convention Center in Florida, USA.

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SUN Automation Group Announces 100th LMC Machine Placed in the US Market

-SUN Installed a Flexo Folder Gluer (FFG) at Premier Packaging in Pedricktown, NJ–

Glen Arm, MD (April 15, 2021)—SUN Automation Group (SUN), a global leader in providing innovative solutions to the global corrugated industry, is proud to announce it has placed Latitude Machinery Corporation’s (LMC) hundredth machine in the US Market.  The LMC Flexo Folder Gluer PP1230 was installed earlier this year at Premier Packaging’s newest facility in Pedricktown, New Jersey.   This is the second PP3 FFG placed in Premier Packaging facilities, the first, was in Indiana late last year.

“After the success of the LMC PP3 in our Indianapolis plant last year, we knew it would be a great fit for our Pedricktown production plant,” says Dennis Wood, Corporate Director of Manufacturing at Premier Packaging.   “The equipment brings significant value to our operations with increased uptime and output. We can easily and quickly change from order to order and the operation is easy and user friendly.”

LMC is a rapidly growing and world-class manufacturer of Flexo Folder Gluers and other solutions to the corrugated industry, with now over 100 machines in the field across North America.  SUN entered into an exclusive strategic partnership agreement with Latitude Machinery Corporation (LMC) in 2019, SUN and since then has been the exclusive North and Central America representative of all LMC machinery and support its current customers with parts and service.

“Premier Packaging is an excellent partner and the success of the LMC PP3 in their facilities is well noted,” said Greg Jones, Executive Vice President, SUN Automation Group. “We are further honored to work with LMC and look forward to placing the next 100 machines in the North and Central American Markets.”

“Just like with our customers, service is paramount to success and we rely on partners like SUN to help us deliver that,” says Wood. “We are looking forward to working with them again this fall for the install of our third LMC in Kentucky.”

For more information on SUN Automation Group or to learn more about LMC, visit www.sunautomation.com

 

 

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Introducing Helios, The New Corrugated AI/Machine Learning Platform

(Glen Arm, MD February 26, 2021)  — Helios, the new AI and Machine Learning platform tailored specifically to the corrugated converting industry, launched today. The platform is OEM-agnostic and engineered to provide corrugated manufacturers access to robust, actionable insights into the performance of their machines — enabling minimized downtime, optimized maintenance schedules, and maximized profit. Helios is a product of SUN Automation Group.

“IIoT makes every bit of data actionable,” says Helios Director of Technology Matthew C. Miller. “So many corrugated plants rely on human intuition and experience to drive their decisions. With Helios, anomalies that are imperceptible to even the most well-trained operators can be detected in real time and acted upon. And the machine learning capabilities will mean that the platform only gets smarter the more data and user reactions that it is able to process.”

The new platform is designed to minimize downtime, maximize profitability, and decrease the opportunity cost associated with only taking machines offline for preventative maintenance (as opposed to for major malfunctions). These high-level benefits manifest themselves in specific cost and resource-optimizing operational benefits and actionable insights. 

Some of the most beneficial insights are preventative/proactive parts ordering, knowledge about the exact time and cost of parts replacements, the ability for operators to pinpoint the source of slowdowns and other issues, and operator-efficiency training to help machine operators learn and adapt to best practices.

“We understand that data is only as powerful as the actionable insights it can provide,” says Chris Kyger, President, SUN Automation Group.  “That’s why we are so excited to bring Helios to the corrugated industry. This incredible technology will help box plants increase productivity and efficiency while reducing costs and downtime.” 

Helios provides core insights from an accessible, user-friendly dashboard enabling three key benefits: remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, and anomaly detection. 

Remote monitoring provides deep insights into current and historical machine operation and performance that can be seen and accessed in real time from any device. Predictive maintenance optimizes machine maintenance intervals using artificial intelligence that adapts based on the machine operation and usage. Anomaly detection notifies users about abnormal machine states that allow operators to react to a potential issue before the failure occurs. More robust predictive analytics will be phased into the platform over time.

Corrugated manufacturers will have access to a free Helios demo, allowing them to experience the platform. The site also provides a Return On Investment calculator that can showcase the benefits that Helios can offer to operations of all sizes and scales. Visit the Helios website to view more: https://gohelios.us/ 

SUN Automation Group is a corrugated converting industry leader in innovative solutions and aftermarket support and services. Since 1986, SUN has led the way for automated production solutions in the corrugated manufacturing space. 

 

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SUN Automation Group Enters Exclusive Strategic Partnership Agreement with PARA Srl

SUN to become exclusive Agent and service provider for PARA Srl

Glen Arm, MD (February 9, 2021)—SUN Automation Group (SUN), a global leader in providing innovative solutions to the corrugated industry, is proud to announce it has entered into an exclusive strategic partnership agreement with the Italian material handling company, PARA Srl. Effective February 2021. SUN will be the exclusive representative of all PARA equipment for the United States, United Kingdom and Ireland.  In addition, SUN will be the service provider for all PARA equipment and the distributor of PARA parts in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

PARA offers a variety of material handling and machinery solutions for the corrugated industry and has installed 15,000 products world-wide. PARA’s extensive product range includes; pre-feeders, palletizers, RDC stackers, bundle breakers, pallet inserters, vertical storage solutions, paper mill roll transports and unit conveyors systems from corrugator to converting equipment using smart carts.

“SUN continues to deliver the top corrugated industry solutions to box plants around the world,” said Chris Kyger, President of SUN Automation Group.  “On behalf of our board, senior leadership team and our employee-owners, we welcome PARA to the SUN Family.”

“We are honored to work with the PARA team and look forward to promoting its technology solutions to the corrugated industry,” said Greg Jones, Executive Vice President, SUN Automation Group.  “PARA’s extensive product portfolio is an excellent addition to our customer offerings and PARA’s commitment to innovation and customer service are perfectly in-line with SUN’s own ethos and our customer’s needs”

This partnership agreement is just the latest example of SUN’s revolutionary ‘culture of listening and responding to customers needs’ at work– which enables SUN to invest in innovation and devise customized customer solutions.  SUN Automation Group currently fields dozens of internal parts and service coordinators, field service technicians, and the largest inventory of parts in the world which will be on hand to support PARA’s current and future customers.

For more information on PARA or to see its current installations and product offerings,  visit www.parasrl.com

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About SUN Automation Group®

SUN Automation Group®, as an OEM, services the corrugated industry with innovative new equipment to customers around the world.  SUN engineers and builds the SUN625® Rotary Die Cutter and SUN is also the OEM source for Langston/Staley equipment parts and service and sells and services Latitude Machinery Corporation (LMC) and PARA Srl equipment.  With 24/7 on-site technical support, SUN is known for its exceptional service and customer support. SUN is headquartered in their 184,000ft2 facility near Baltimore MD, with service centers throughout the globe. To keep up to date with SUN Automation’s innovations and news, visit www.sunautomation.com or follow the company on Twitter @SUN Automation.

 

 

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Premier Packaging Ups Capacity With New Latitude Machinery Investment

Article first published in the April 2020 issue of Board Converting News

About Premier Packaging

Premier Packaging began in 1994 in Louisville, Kentucky, as a single sheet plant. Increasing demand from the Indianapolis/Chicago region led the company to open its new facility in Indianapolis in 2016. From an order-quantity standpoint, the Indianapolis plant is far from the average sheet plant–its average order quantity is around 5,500 pieces,where most sheet plants are averaging orders of around 1,000 or 1,500 pieces. In the 2018 peak season between October to December, the company was producing boxes using a 50-inch Serenco, which was running seven days a week, 24 hours per day in Indianapolis. The staff was running shifts around the clock: two 10-hour shifts during the week and two 12-hour shifts on the weekends.

The ability to manufacture inside/outside print boxes has allowed Premier Packaging to meet the needs of the massive e-commerce market.

In order to reduce labor costs and the amount of overtime, and to meet the growing volume demand, Premier Packaging was in need of a machine that could produce very big truckload quantities for high capacity customers. Concurrently, they also required a machine capable of quick changeovers, as they field orders as small as 100 pieces that meet the needs of local mom-and-pop businesses as well. “We produce pretty much everything, from a full die-cut all the way up to inside/outside print boxes, regular slotted carton (RSC) boxes, full overlap (FOL) boxes, and beyond,” says Bryan Fitch, General Manager of Premier Packaging’s Indianapolis facility. “When we’re not in our peak season, we need to be able to change order to order so we can stay cost-competitive in the corrugated industry.”

An Investment in LMC

“We needed to invest in machinery in order to grow and keep our operating expenses down, and after installing our new Latitude Machinery Corporation (LMC) investment, the difference was immediate,” says Fitch. The Indianapolis facility was outfitted with a 3-color Latitude Flexo Folder Gluer PP1230. The increase in output since the changeover has been noticeable for the management of the facility and for the bottom line of the organization. Premier Packaging is able to run 37 to 38 million square-feet per month, while simultaneously decreasing the shifts they had been running. In the peak season of October through December of 2019, following the installation of the new LMC machine, the Indianapolis facility produced 25 percent more footage of corrugated while staffing only two weekday shifts.

“The Latitude machine has definitely helped our bottom line and has opened up capacity for us,” says Fitch. “In the past, a lot of items might have caused us to raise our inventory levels through peak season. But because of the speeds of the machine, the capacity it has and the quick turnaround time on setups, we are now able to get a lot more done in the same amount of time.”

The ecommerce industry is growing at 15 percent per year in North America–Amazon alone has more than 250,000 staffers in 110 facilities in North America alone. Premier Packaging’s investment in the Latitude machine helped them to meet the current needs of the e-commerce market while planning for future growth in this rapidly expanding vertical.

Support From SUN Automation

The installation of the new Latitude machine began in late August of 2019 with the goal of an October 1 start date. Because of the output demands of peak season for Premier Packaging, they needed to start off with a full understanding of the machinery so that they could run at maximum capacity and not compromise margin and output. Premier Packaging staff training with the SUN Automation Group and Latitude experts began early in the process, with the goal of maximum efficiency and profitability. Starting October 1, the machine was able to operate at top speed. This was a major factor in their record-setting three-month window during peak season in 2019.

Earlier in 2019, SUN Automation became the exclusive representative in North America and Central America for LMC., providing machinery, parts and support. LMC is a world-class manufacturer of corrugated converting equipment, specializing in flexo folder gluers and rotary diecutters. Known for its reliability, Latitude equipment is a global success with machine sizes ranging from mini to jumbo. The Taiwan-based company has partnered with SUN Automation to offer new and existing North and Central American customers like Premier Packaging the trusted service, support of a North-American based industry leader.

The intuitive Latitude machines are easy for the staff of Premier Packaging to use when setting up orders. And with the technology available with modern machines from Latitude, technicians are able to remotely access the machines to help troubleshoot in real time without always having to send a technician to the facility or explain solutions remotely. “The machine is very easily operated and self-explanatory. All of the buttons are self-explanatory–the dimensions and how to move the machine around are very simple,” says Dennis Wood, Director of Manufacturing at Premier Packaging. “Our crews picked up on the machine very well. And the communication with SUN Automation Group works very well. SUN has been very responsive–we have a 24-hour hotline to call if there are issues.”

The key to keeping the machine running at maximum efficiency is keeping it clean. The fixed-frame architecture of the Latitude machine, as well as the ease of opening up the machine for service and maintenance, keeps downtime to a minimum. Premier Packaging shuts the machine down for only six hours per week, typically Thursday morning or Thursday night. Timing straddles the shift changeovers, which means that crews from both shifts are able to split the cleaning duties up between them.

Helping Premier Packaging Deliver

Serving a wide range of industries and companies ranging in size from mom and pop to global brands have given Premier Packaging a reputation for quality and dependability. With its new Latitude machine and the training, service, and maintenance support from SUN Automation, Premier now has the tools and the capacity to continue to live up to its name.

Request a Quote

 

Watch the customer testimonial video:

 

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