It started out with elation in mid-November 2019 when we won the order for a unique Cotton Strapping solution to be sold in Australia. Signode Australia did not readily have a strapping solution for HD (High Density) cotton bales which make up more than 95% of the Australian market.
Much work was needed to develop the HD version of the cotton strapping machine. In addition to a more compact alignment of the modules, the Australian market was demanding a solution that would complete a strapping cycle of six straps placed simultaneously in about nine seconds. The team at Glenview did an excellent job in adapting the Z20 sealer unit to the cotton application as one of the major developments needed. A new feature known as the Flipper allows the chutes to pivot into strapping position quickly while protecting the chutes from being damaged.
A team of experts from Signode USA were to assist with the installation, commissioning and training of this newly designed strapping machine. The rapid spread of COVID-19 forced local and international borders to close and with that cut off the planned support that we were to enjoy from our colleagues in the US. By now there was no turning back as the gin had decommissioned their old strapper. We had to forge ahead! |
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| Undaunted we set to work developing plan B for the installation and commissioning of the machine. Multiple meetings were held to transfer knowledge of the USA team, from electrical and mechanical design engineers through to service technicians that undertake the installations. Manuals were being developed, firmware transferred, laptops and mobile internet connectivity established with backup units for redundancy, we were heading into the unknown but felt confident that we had all our bases covered. |
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One of the key challenges was lack of access to food as restaurants were shut during the lockdown.
On a sunny winter’s day in April, the installation got underway. Just as important to the success of this project as the prep work was, so too the can-do attitude and cooperation that we enjoyed from the customers installation team. Like every install there were bits and pieces that needed adjustment along the way. Each day the Signode team on the ground in Australia produced a progress report that documented the process, picking out the details where our overall design and components could improve.
We have a happy customer who has invited Gin Managers from all around Australia to visit his gin and see the Signode Z634 in action. It will be a small season following many years of devastating drought in Australia. This project is an excellent example of how Signode unifies across the globe to achieve a single focused goal and succeeds!
Significant contributions to the final success were made by Michael Ryan, Andre de Wet and Shabbir Moosajee in Australia, Kevin Bruzzesi, Chris Krohn and John Jablonski from the team based in the USA.
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