Across the packaging industry, companies are announcing partnerships, equipment, and end-effector technologies designed to help manufacturers increase output and support changing production needs.
In this edition of On the Line, we look at three recent developments across packaging, including machinery, flexible formats, and robotic end-of-line handling.
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BW Packaging expands automation reach through Crown Packaging partnership
Manufacturers are increasingly looking for integrated packaging solutions rather than standalone equipment.
BW Packaging’s new partnership with Crown Packaging combines packaging machinery, automation, and technical support to help customers streamline end-of-line operations and access a broader range of packaging technologies.
“Customers today are looking for more than individual products or standalone machines; they want integrated solutions and trusted partners who can help optimize their entire packaging operation,” said Rich Benkelman, executive vice president of Crown Packaging Corp., in a statement. “By partnering with BW Packaging, we’re strengthening our ability to deliver world-class packaging machinery, technical expertise, and long-term value to our customers.”
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WeighPack adds duplex pouch machine to Swifty Bagger lineup
Flexible packaging continues to gain momentum, and WeighPack recently introduced a higher-capacity addition to its Swifty Bagger portfolio.
The new duplex premade pouch machine is designed to increase throughput while maintaining flexibility across multiple pouch styles and product applications.
“The Swifty S-3600 Duplex extends the Swifty Bagger portfolio with a higher-capacity platform for manufacturers looking to increase throughput while maintaining flexibility and ease of operation,” said Luis Pilonieta, sales director at WeighPack Systems, in a statement.
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Destaco targets robotic heavy bag palletizing
At Automate 2026, Design World’s Lisa Eitel spoke with Gary Labadie, global product director at Destaco, about the company’s latest end-effecting technologies.
Labadie highlighted a configurable robotic gripper designed to handle heavy bags in end-of-line packaging applications. The gripper supports multiple bag sizes and is intended to simplify integration while reducing engineering time for OEMs.
The unit on display at Automate is fully pneumatic, but Destaco has plans to release an electric version and a box gripper based on the same construction.
“We also put covers on the unit to keep contaminants away from the mechanisms and I/O, and protect the valves. If someone has to service it, they pop the cover off and everything inside is clean,” said Labadie.
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Final takeaway
Partnerships, machinery, and robotic tooling are giving manufacturers more ways to automate packaging operations. We’ll continue to follow how those technologies are implemented across the line.
