Berry Plastics
System Summary:
Berry Plastics, formly known as Kerr Plastics, manufactures and distributes prescription vials for several drugstore chains and superstores. Headquartered in Lancaster, PA, they are a leading provider of specialty plastic closures and containers to the pharmaceutical, healthcare, and food and beverage industries.
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Business Challenge
- Update Kerr’s manual process of distributing prescription vials.
- Reduce labor time and cost.
- Keep the plastic injection molding machines running.
Key Technology
- ASAP routing and production inventory tracking software
- Interface to MATTEC manufacturing scheduling software
- High speed communication protocols – Profibus, RS232, Devicenet
- Automatic vial singulators Interface to mold injection machines
- Weigh verification for quality control
- Air conveying system uses blowers to gently transport vials from high production vial mold injection machine
- Automatic carton erectors “Print and Apply” on Demand
Results
- The new system interfaces with J.D. Edwards ‘ERP’ and has saved a tremendous amount of labor from the previous manual process.
- ASAP’s solution allowed Kerr to singulate vials as they came out of the injection molding machine. They were able to be immediately counted into routed cartons, automatically verified, and sealed and labeled for shipment.
- Quality Control Tracking.
