Packaging Automation Forum 2008 Details Released

Nov. 27, 2007

The May 20 event will feature presentations covering a wide range of topics related to packaging controls and information technology.

Automation World and Packaging World have announced the date for their jointly produced conference on packaging controls and information technology. Packaging Automation Forum 2008 (www.packworld.com/paf) is scheduled for May 20, 2008, at the Chicago Marriott Schaumburg. An evening reception will be held the day before, at the Marriott, as will an optional Make2Pack Workshop training session for attendees. Professionals from consumer packaged goods companies such as General Mills, PepsiCo, Schering- Plough and Sara Lee attended last year’s sold-out event to hear their peers share automation strategies employing state-of-the art packaging equipment and technology. The 2008 program will include presentations on packaging standards and how they enable the flow of real-time data between packaging lines, Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems; transitioning data acquisition to an electronic model; methods to improve line efficiency; and efficient integration of processing and packaging, among other topics. Unilever keynoter Keynote presenter David Atherton, director of TIMQ and Supply Chain Engineering at Unilever, will discuss how today’s technology can maximize asset utilization, reduce unplanned downtime, and leverage packaging machinery to increase overall supply chain efficiency. This year’s Forum also offers an optional standards training session for attendees. Dave Chappell, chairman of Make2Pack and former corporate technical section head at Procter & Gamble, will facilitate the Make2Pack Workshop. The Make2Pack project aims to develop conceptual models and terminology for industrial automation that can be consistently applied to the total manufacturing process, including packaging. Implementation of standards will enable end-users to reduce overall costs and enhance responsiveness to changing business requirements. Workshop attendees will gain a better understanding of the intent of the standards, the benefits, and implementation details. Packaging Automation Forum registration is now open at Packworld.com/paf. For sponsorship information, please contact Events Manager Adriene Cooper at 312-222-1010, ext. 136.