JBM creates innovative packaging for GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline is a science-led global healthcare company with a mission: help people to do more, feel better, and live longer. Headquartered in Brentford, London, GSK produces pharmaceuticals, vaccines, oral and nutritional products, and over-the-counter medicines.
CHALLENGE
GlaxoSmithKline was in need of an accelerated production process in order to get more product out the door and into the hands of their customers. In order for GSK to move forward with a new investment, it was critical for JBM to increase their throughput, uptime, and overall production volume for GSK’s powdered headache medicine packaging.
SOLUTION
STEP 1: COLLABORATION AND DISCOVERY
GlaxoSmithKline was in need of an accelerated production process in order to get more product out the door and into the hands of their customers. In order for GSK to move forward with a new investment, it was critical for JBM to increase their throughput, uptime, and overall production volume for GSK’s powdered headache medicine packaging.
STEP 2: SOLUTION DEFINITION
By working collaboratively, the team was successful in developing a new solution for packing the envelopes. They designed a sleeve type packaging that would automatically load the envelopes into the filling machine and eliminate the lid. Throughout the concept phase, the team followed a specific process called “Plan-Do-Check-Act”. This allowed the team to use multiple iterations of problem solving to produce a solution for the customer.
“I thoroughly enjoyed partnering with GSK to create a more efficient packaging solution. Something really special can happen when you are hands-on with the customer working as a team.”
– KYLE ANDERSON – JBM TEAM MEMBER SINCE 1997
SOLUTION CONT.
STEP 3: DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING
The initial packaging sleeves were tested on GSK’s machine, and it was quickly discovered that the operators had a difficult time knowing exactly how to assemble the packaging, as well as which direction to load the sleeves in the filling machine. Fortunately, further testing of the boxes was very productive. Our testing revealed that if the packaging was able to interlock, the envelopes would stay flatter and load easier into the filling machine. The next version of the sleeve was reviewed and our team brainstormed solutions to further increase production speed. We decided to make the inner carton flap smaller to allow the envelopes to easily slide down the sleeve and into the filling machine, which increased the filling rate.
RESULTS
The team’s solution made the product available to the consumer at a lower cost. GSK and JBM reached a solid solution which greatly improved GSK’s envelope packaging design and ultimately decreased the cost and handling time. As a result of the production process being accelerated, GSK was able to move forward with their investment and distribute more product to their consumers.
ABOUT JBM PACKAGING
JBM began in 1985 as an envelope brokerage business with just three employees. From the beginning, we were focused on developing a culture of quality, innovation and problem solving.
Today, JBM remains family owned and operates in a 100,000 square foot manufacturing facility. Our mission is to provide meaningful, unique solutions that solve our customers problems. We are committed to our customers success by being a collaborative partner that can be counted on to solve a problem or support in new product development.
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