Would you run a high-specification motor vehicle year after year without a service, proficiency test (such as an MOT) or even insurance? SUN Automation Group^®, a recognised leader in the global corrugated sector, is urging corrugated specialists to overhaul their policies on aftersales care in order to enhance production and profitability. 

SUN Automation, which celebrates its 30^th anniversary this year, provides corrugated box plants worldwide with technologies that assist with increasing production, quality, efficiency and profitability. The company’s extensive experience in providing 24/7 support via on-call engineers for corrugating and finishing machinery,  in some cases older than 40 years, puts it in a valuable position to advise customers on how to increase efficiency and productivity in order to improve their bottom line. 

Equipment downtime leads to damaging loss of production and potentially the loss of thousands per hour in revenue. Box plants or converters are rarely in a position to invest in sufficient on-hand spare parts, or in-house engineers to mitigate against breakdowns, but they can rely on third party support to effectively insure against such a loss. 

SUN Automation’s General Manager EMEA, Rob Dal Lago explained: “Customers are initially reassured by the fact that the basic structure of a machine retains its integrity over time, and are usually unwilling to allow for the wear and tear that is natural for equipment in its third, fourth or even fifth decade. Pushing machinery to the extent of its capability will indeed give short-term returns - but also medium or long-term challenges with likely breakdown and interruptions to productivity.” 

A number of service contracts are available from SUN Automation, offering customers almost instant support in the event of a breakdown,  including remote monitoring that can assist with quick fault diagnosis and, where appropriate, provide remote access  correction. Regular system reviews can identify potential future issues and allow box plants to plan accordingly.

Rob Dal Lago added: “Leaving maintenance until the last minute is common in our industry and unfortunately results in many instances of older machinery breaking down and affecting productivity. Box plants should think of their plant as they would their own motor vehicle: by taking a longer-term view on maintenance with a service contract that insures their productivity over several years, they can be far more confident in their long term profitability.”

With 30 years’ experience in retrofitting innovative technologies to transform corrugated equipment, SUN Automation can match its portfolio – which includes systems for machinery for almost every OEM – to a box plant’s objectives and, crucially, their budget to help improve quality and performance.