lbs. Distribution implements automated packaging systems, increasing production from 1,500 to 6,000 units daily while improving accuracy and compliance.
lbs. Distribution, a cannabis distributor based in West Sacramento, California, has significantly invested in automation to enhance the efficiency of its packaging operations. Founded in 2017 to establish a robust supply chain for legal cannabis in California, the company initially relied on manual processes, packaging approximately 300 pre-made bags per person daily. With a team of five, this equated to about 1,500 units per day.
In 2020, lbs. Distribution implemented a 14-head combination scale from High Tek, enabling operators to manually hold pre-made bags under the scale’s discharge funnel and seal them using a heat-sealing system. This upgrade increased output to 2,200 units daily with the same five-person team.
The most significant advancement came in January 2023 when the company installed a High Tek bagger integrated with the existing combination scale. This automated system uses suction cups to pick a pre-made bag from a magazine feeder and place it on a conveyor platform. The bag is mechanically opened, receives an air blast to expand the bottom, and is ready to be filled from the combination scale’s discharge funnel. After filling, the bag is vibrated to settle the product, and zipper-closing wheels apply a heat seal. With just two operators, this system can package approximately 6,000 units daily, increasing efficiency to 300 units per hour compared to the previous 40 units.
Additionally, lbs. Distribution incorporated a check-weighing system to ensure package weight accuracy and a coding system to mark essential information such as expiration dates and lot numbers. These enhancements have not only boosted productivity but also ensured compliance with industry regulations.
lbs. Distribution’s adoption of automation reflects a growing trend among cannabis entrepreneurs seeking to optimize operations. By investing in advanced packaging technologies, these businesses can increase production, reduce labor costs, and improve product consistency and quality, positioning themselves competitively in a rapidly evolving market.
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