ePac Flexible Packaging announces ePacONE

ePac Flexible Packaging has launched ePacONE (One Network Everywhere), creating the world's first and largest integrated network of packaging plants across the globe to serve all brands, regardless of run length.

ePac Flexible Packaging has launched ePacONE (One Network Everywhere), creating the world's first and largest integrated network of packaging plants across the globe

ePacONE is a proprietary cloud-based manufacturing platform that enables all ePac locations to be connected and managed as a single manufacturing plant. With ONE, jobs are automatically produced at the optimum locations based on proximity to the customer, size, plant capabilities and capacity. ONE also enables ePac to split jobs and produce them simultaneously in multiple locations.

‘With ONE, we are again revolutionizing the packaging industry through a one-of-a-kind proprietary platform, which allows us to extend our value to brands beyond the SMB space,’ commented Parag Patel, ePac’s CIO. ‘As one virtual flexible packaging manufacturing plant, we unlock ePac’s ability to print up to 8 million linear feet per day, increasing to 17 million linear feet per day with our ongoing expansion. ePacONE is a natural evolution of our technology infrastructure as we continue to lead the flexible packaging technological revolution and scale our solutions.’

Jack Knott, ePac CEO, added: ‘ePacONE does for the flexible packaging industry what the internet did for connecting stand-alone devices. ePac will be able to operate as one company with interconnectivity between all assets. Over the course of my career leading flexible packaging companies, I’ve never seen such an eclectic group of specialists coalesce around developing new technology like ePacOne. It took a few years to develop and get everything in place globally, and I couldn't be more excited about how this will improve all brands’ ability to go to market faster, at a lower cost, with minimal inventory write-offs and with the least amount of environmental impact.

‘This technology should be fully operational by the end of Q1, 2023. It will include the ability of any customer to securely log on to ePacOne, look for new packaging, and get instantaneous structure recommendations and pricing. Customers will be able to upload artwork, and get automatic customizable die-lines, evaluate different options, see a 3D rendition of the new package, and place the order - no matter how small or how large. Given that there are no plates or cylinders, the order can always be changed up to the production time.’

ePac has recently revealed its growth and transition plan for the next 18 months, with 11 new sales and manufacturing locations to be established across Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East/North Africa, and North America bringing the company’s footprint to 36 locations. The company has also made headlines with the investment in 50 new HP Indigo digital presses, the largest ever sale deal for HP Indigo.