IMA Group announces the establishment of a new division dedicated to automated packaging solutions for the e-commerce industry

BOLOGNA, ITALY – IMA Group, world leader in the design and manufacture of automatic packaging machines is proud to announce the establishment of a new division specifically dedicated to the E-Commerce market, in response to the increasing demand for online shopping and growing importance of that segment in today’s economy.

E-Commerce has become a vital part of the retail industry, and it is projected to continue its rapid growth in the coming years. Advanced packaging automation is becoming more and more important to help e-tailers improving both throughput and cost position as labour market remain tight.

To compete in this fast-moving market, and thanks to its over 60-years packaging expertise, IMA has designed advanced technologies to automate the packaging process.

The first machine introduced on the market is the E-CO Flex: this equipment simplifies e-fulfillment packaging by selecting the best-fit to size box for the products to be packed connecting to the customer’s WMS system.

Once the most suitable box is identified, the blank is automatically picked from the magazine, erected and the box’s bottom is then taped using water-activated tape through IPG’s proprietary Water Activated Tape dispenser, inside the E-CO Flex.

The result is a pre-assembled container presented to the operator, who simply inserts the items to be shipped and secures them with the required amount of dunnage. The operator reinserts the open-faced box back into the machine where the remaining void is measured: if necessary, the E-CO Flex is capable of automatically reducing the height of the box and then close it, adapting the flaps folding to the new box dimensions.

Automated packaging solutions, such as the E-CO Flex, with right-sizing capabilities allow e-tailers to combine multiple stations into one unit. By reducing the cubic footage of cases to a minimum, dimensional (DIM) weight pricing can be safely implemented, resulting in reduced material usage, including less corrugate, and often eliminating the need for void fill in compliance with the latest Sustainability policies that IMA Group adopted.

IMA E-Commerce Division has established a partnership for the exclusive distribution in US and Canada with Intertape Polymer Group Inc. (“IPG”), a global leader in packaging and protective solutions.

“We are excited to present this new division and to offer our customers cutting-edge e-commerce solutions,” commented Dario Rea, Director of Research & Innovation with IMA. “IMA keeps investing on new market opportunities and technologies; E-commerce is an essential part of the modern economy and we are committed to being at the forefront of this rapidly evolving market.“

The IMA E-COMMERCE website will be soon released, stay tuned!

For sales enquiries regarding E-CO Flex1, please contact Simone Capponcelli, Sales & Division Coordinator with IMA Group at simone.capponcelli@ima.it.

For Marketing & Communication enquiries, please contact Monica Cervellati, Corporate Communication and Exhibitions Director with IMA Group at monica.cervellati@ima.it  and Eleonora Sarti, Marketing Assistant with IMA Group at eleonora.sarti@ima.it.

About IMA

Established in 1961, IMA is world leader in the development and production of automatic machines for the processing and packaging of pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, tea and coffee products, as well as in the automation of industrial processes. The IMA counts more than 6,800 employees, of which about 38% abroad. The Group is present in more than 80 countries and relies on 53 production facilities and holds more than 3,000 active patents and patent applications worldwide.

About IPG – Intertape Polymer Group

Intertape Polymer Group Inc. is a recognized leader in the development, manufacture and sale of a variety of paper and film-based pressure-sensitive and water-activated tapes, stretch and shrink films, protective packaging, woven and non-woven products and packaging machinery for industrial and retail use. Headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, IPG employs approximately 4,200 employees with operations in 34 locations, including 22 manufacturing facilities in North America, five in Asia and two in Europe.

For more information about the Company, visit http://www.itape.com