Introduction
Are you struggling to keep up with growing demand for variety packs—without ballooning labor costs?
Have rising SKUs and packaging formats made manual systems impossible to scale?
In this article, you’ll learn which type of automation is right for your production scale, space, and SKU needs—whether you’re packing beverages or assembling snack assortments.
We’ll walk through key factors to evaluate: output goals, labor, budget, and layout, plus real options for entry, mid, and high-volume operations.
1. Start With This Question: What Output Do You Need?
Before you look at equipment, define your production goals. You’re not just buying a machine—you’re investing in uptime and flexibility. Start here:
PRO TIP
The more SKU combinations you run, the more critical your changeover speed becomes.
While beverage remains a major driver of variety pack innovation, food producers—from snack brands to frozen assortments—are also being pushed to expand SKU offerings and need the same automation scalability.
2. Key Resources to Consider Before Choosing Automation
Automation decisions hinge on more than just throughput. You also need to plan for:
3. Which Variety Pack Automation is Right for You?
Not every line needs the same level of automation. Are you scaling for the first time, or optimizing a multi-line operation? Here’s a quick breakdown:
4. Why Producers Choose Douglas
You don’t need another vendor—you need a partner who gets your goals. At Douglas, we help producers:
We walk with you from early research to post-install support. No assumptions. No hard sells. Just the guidance you need to hit your production targets and grow with confidence.
Next Step: Design the Right System for You
Whether you’re dealing with rising SKUs, labor challenges, or tight floor plans, automation is a strategic decision—not just a technical one.
Now that you understand the landscape, your next move is to schedule a discovery call. If you feel Douglas is the right fit for your variety pack goals, please give us a call. We’ll walk your floor, help you model your payback, and simplify your automation journey so you can build with confidence.
Ready to design the right system for you?
Let’s work together to make your next project the smoothest one yet.
