Uhlmann strengthens its market position in Japan

Blisterlinie BEC 300: Kompaktes Komplettsystem aus Blistermaschine und Kartoniermodul für Chargen bis zu 70.000 Packungen. (Quelle: Uhlmann) / Blisterline BEC 300: a high-performance complete system comprising a blister and cartoning module for small and medium batches of up to 70,000 packs (Source: Uhlmann)

Vor einigen Monaten noch undenkbar, heute schon fast Routine: Uhlmann führte den Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) für seine Blisterlinie BEC 300 mit seinem neuen japanischen Kunden per Videokonferenz durch. Das Ergebnis: ein OEE von über 90 Prozent unter FAT-Bedingungen. (Quelle: Uhlmann) / Unthinkable just a few months ago, but now almost routine: Uhlmann conducted the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) for its blister line BEC 300 with its new Japanese customer via video conference. The result: an OEE of over 90 percent under FAT conditions. (Source: Uhlmann)

Vor einigen Monaten noch undenkbar, heute schon fast Routine: Uhlmann führte den Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) für seine Blisterlinie BEC 300 mit seinem neuen japanischen Kunden per Videokonferenz durch. Das Ergebnis: ein OEE von über 90 Prozent unter FAT-Bedingungen. (Quelle: Uhlmann) / Unthinkable just a few months ago, but now almost routine: Uhlmann conducted the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) for its blister line BEC 300 with its new Japanese customer via video conference. The result: an OEE of over 90 percent under FAT conditions. (Source: Uhlmann)

Michael Mrachacz. CSO bei Uhlmann. / Michael Mrachacz. CSO at Uhlmann.

Quirin Erbschwendner, Vice President Global Sales bei Uhlmann. / Quirin Erbschwendner, Vice President Global Sales at Uhlmann.

Many Japanese pharmaceutical companies prefer domestic packaging equipment. Now, for the first time, one of the country's top 10 pharmaceutical producers has opted for a non-Japanese partner: Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG. The first project will involve the purchase of a BEC 300 blister line, a high-performance complete system comprising a blister and cartoning module, which is supplemented by two end-of-line packers, "Uhlmann powered by pester pac automation". The customer's aim is to package its increasing production volume variably, efficiently and safely. The line received the customer's approval in June 2021 - after a successful Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) via video conference - in which an OEE of over 90 percent was achieved under test conditions.

The Japanese pharmaceutical market is the third largest in the world - and by far the most demanding. A level that corresponds to Uhlmann's understanding of quality. "We offer very high quality, reliable solutions for packaging solids and parenterals. We have been able to convince Japanese pharmacists of this time and again in recent years. Now we have added another customer, which will further strengthen our market position in Japan," says a delighted Uhlmann CSO, Michael Mrachacz. 

Easy to use for maximum safety and performance

The listed pharmaceutical company ordered a BEC 300 blister line at the end of 2020 for the efficient and safe packaging of its growing solids production. "The decisive factor for the decision was the excellent quality of the BEC 300 and the packaging it produces. In addition, the stable performance and easy operation of the line played a major role," reports Quirin Erbschwendner, Vice President for Global Sales at Uhlmann. Until then, the customer had only used machines from a single Japanese manufacturer, but the aim here is for the production staff to also be able to work intuitively and safely with the new equipment. The BEC 300 blister line scored here with its SmartControl operating system: the graphic interface design helps operators to quickly become familiar with the system and guides them through format changes.

The BEC 300 blister line is designed for small and medium batches of up to 70,000 packs - with format changes of less than 30 minutes. A special feature is the separation of the line into two clean room zones. As is customary in Japan, the blister module is housed in a Class D clean room, the cartoning module outside the clean room. With the line, which is normally about 8 meters long, this separation is already provided for and can be implemented without additional effort or expense. Furthermore, additional cameras were installed to allow the filling line to be inspected not only from above but also from below - an example of the particularly high quality standards in Japan. The customer put these to the test in the FAT by placing small foreign particles in the blisters. A test in which the Uhlmann camera system not only fulfilled expectations, but even exceeded them.

The line is completed by two end-of-line packers from the "Uhlmann powered by pester pac automation" series: an EW 60 bundler and an EC 12 case packer.

FAT via video conference shows OEE at over 90 percent

In June, the customer approved the BEC 300 - via video conference. In order to be able to carry out the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) despite travel restrictions, Uhlmann established a digital connection to Japan and thereby included the customer in the five-day FAT. Three Asian Uhlmann experts provided on-site support. "We achieved an OEE of more than 90 percent and a very high quality of packaging under FAT conditions. This enabled us to meet the extensive and very detailed acceptance criteria that the customer had set for the BEC 300. This is a good start for the joint partnership, which will further strengthen Uhlmann in Japan," says Quirin Erbschwendner.