Value-added packaging formats like retail-ready or shelf-ready packaging make it easy for retailers to quickly shelve products. It also builds an additional layer of branding to help snack producers and bakery companies deliver a strong message to shoppers.

Retail-ready packaging (RRP) solutions range from large corrugated boxes with loose packages to smaller, notched paperboard holders for stand-up display of carded packages. Retailers benefit from RRP because it gives them shelf-ready inventory in seconds, cutting the time it takes to check in and stock shelves.

New stackers and loaders not only handle a wide range of product shapes and sizes, they also offer more loading flexibility, compact footprints and easy operation.

Automation boosts stacking and loading capabilities to facilitate packaging tasks, reduce labor and speed up production. Equipment must be flexible, in order run a variety of package sizes, shapes and materials.

More bakery products and snacks must be packaged to be shelf-ready for retailers, so product-handling equipment must offer flexibility for the changing marketplace. To meet this need, equipment manufacturers are developing more systems incorporating advanced robotics and sophisticated transport systems. Even plastic pallets are now multifunctional.