LOTIS Technologies has been a provider in the returnable packaging industry for over 13 years. Providing expertise in injection molded returnable dunnage, stacking columns, and returnable packaging solutions.
Vantage Plastics and LOTIS Technologies have been partners for two years. The partnership has fostered many benefits including expanding their engineering and manufacturing processes, capabilities, and solutions. Together, the two companies solve customers’ complex problems with unique, cost-effective solutions.
We spoke with LOTIS Technologies Director of Design and Product Development, Gary Lovins to share more about LOTIS Technologies’ products and services, industry trends, and what solutions the company is offering to help exceed their customer’s job requirements.
“Our vision statement is, ‘Engineering Solutions and Relationships with Service’. We want to build relationships with our customers and suppliers that allow us to do what we enjoy most, and develop (engineer) solutions that help move us all forward” – Gary Lovins, Director of Design and Product Development, LOTIS Technologies
RETURNABLE DUNNAGE AND PACKAGING TRENDS
In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards automation in the dunnage industry. This push for automation is driven by the need to improve efficiency, reduce errors, and lower costs. It is important that companies are equipped and able to understand how to work with integrators to facilitate automation solutions.
RETURNABLE PACKAGING SOLUTIONS AT LOTIS TECHNOLOGIES
INJECTION MOLDED RETURNABLE DUNNAGE AND PACKAGING
Switching from disposable cardboard packaging to returnable plastic packaging can provide significant cost savings. LOTIS Technologies has nine machines from 14 – 360oz to successfully engineer dunnage for many projects.
Some custom returnable dunnage solutions that LOTIS Technologies has engineered are:
- Shipping trays and totes
- Rack dunnage
- Seat pallets
- Tote inserts
- Glass dunnage
- Automated pallets
STACKING COLUMNS
Stacking columns allow for protection from damaging class A surfaces, easier transportation during loading/unloading, and protecting other products from contacting each other. The design can be customized to the customer’s requests and needs. LOTIS Technologies has experience in injection molded, steel, extruded aluminum, and composite fingers for stacking columns.
Some products that LOTIS has packed safely with stacking columns are:
- Roof panels
- Hoods
- Doors
- Sunroof Housings
- Frame Rails
- Battery Covers
DOES LOTIS HAVE ANY NEW PRODUCTS OR SERVICES ON THE HORIZON?
“We are utilizing VanTech, which has historically been used as a copolymer extrusion at Vantage Plastics, as a TPU competitive material. Testing has shown that we can achieve some performance improvements and offer our customers better price savings compared to TPU”.
DOES LOTIS OFFER “SMART PACKAGING” OR OTHER SIMILAR TECHNOLOGIES?
“We’ve had customers refer to some of our products as smart packaging because of latching and holding components that will be automatically locked or released when placed in the automation cell. This eliminates the need for an operator to actuate the locking mechanism”.
HOW DOES LOTIS TECHNOLOGIES HELP COMPANIES WITH LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT?
“We work to maximize the quantity per container and maintain an inventory of standard components”.
HOW DOES LOTIS TECHNOLOGIES HELP COMPANIES IMPROVE THEIR SUPPLY CHAIN?
“We have been able to redesign and reduce the quantity of components in a customer’s design that allows parts to be made locally and with price savings. We also offer our own proprietary materials to use in place of similar long lead materials”.
WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE COMPANY?
“In the past year, we have added some great talent to our project management and design teams. We have also recently increased our injection molding capacity by adding more presses and will be adding larger machines in the near future”.
LOTIS TECHNOLOGIES CAN BE YOUR RETURNABLE PACKAGING SOLUTION
A strong design is critical to the success of any job. At LOTIS Technologies, the team will take the time to get to know you and your needs in order to develop a solution that will work for you. No two solutions are the same. At LOTIS Technologies, each solution is unique and tailored to each customer’s specific goals. Discover how returnable packaging can benefit you today.