Bradford & Bigelow Integrates Solema Pluton Palletizing System
Palletizing systems Pluton
Bradford & Bigelow (B&B), a leader in the North American book manufacturing industry, has recently made a $7 million investment in automation and advanced production technology to enhance efficiency and maintain its competitive edge. As part of this initiative, the company has integrated Solema’s Pluton Palletizing System, a cutting-edge solution designed to streamline material handling and improve workflow across its high-volume operations in its Newburyport, Massachusetts facility.
Simply put, by Imanol Cortazar, President of Bradford & Bigelow with an engineering background, “Solema makes great palletizing equipment, which creates manufacturing efficiency."
The Solema Pluton Palletizing System is now fully operational at B&B, seamlessly integrating into the company's existing production lines. Designed to handle a wide range of printed products—including hard and softcover books, sewn and glued book blocks, magazines, catalogs, shrink-wrapped bundles, and carton boxes—the system optimizes material handling, reduces manual labor, and increases overall throughput. With the ability to process 25 products per minute, the Pluton system is significantly enhancing production speed and efficiency.
Cortazar emphasized the necessity of continuous investment in automation to remain at the forefront of the industry, "The industry is all about automation and innovations. You see how automation can make your manufacturing more efficient, but it also gives you a chance to retrain employees for higher-paying jobs and higher skill sets, so automation is a win-win for all involved. This is a capex industry, and if you don't invest in capex, then you will fall behind.”
One of the key advantages of the Pluton Palletizing System is its compact footprint, allowing it to fit into B&B’s production environment without requiring major facility modifications. The system ensures continuous product handling through jogging during transitions, maintaining a smooth workflow while minimizing handling time and reducing the risk of damage. Its linear transport movement simplifies integration into existing production lines, making it a reliable solution for high-volume manufacturers.
The Pluton system is designed for minimal operator intervention, featuring an automatic timing station, accumulating conveyor, and automated slip-sheet and pallet feeding system to further streamline production. Additionally, its servo-motor-driven size change feature allows for effortless transitions between different product dimensions, reducing downtime and maximizing efficiency.
Bradford & Bigelow’s investment reflects a broader commitment to innovation, automation, and workforce development. By implementing advanced systems like Solema’s Pluton Palletizing System, the company continues to position itself as an industry leader, ensuring long-term sustainability and operational excellence.
The preceding press release was provided by a company unaffiliated with Printing Impressions. The views expressed within may not directly reflect the thoughts or opinions of the staff of Printing Impressions.
