IPMMI: Wurth proposes lean inventory for packaging

Amit Gajjar, deputy sales director of Wurth Industry India, presented a suite of lean manufacturing solutions designed to transform inventory management for packaging machinery manufacturers at Envision 2025 in Goa. Gajjar outlined how the company's Quasimac, Kanban and Refilo systems could significantly reduce costs while improving operational efficiency.  

The German-owned Wurth Group, which operates in India through warehouses in Pune and Bengaluru, specialises in supply chain solutions for industrial components. Gajjar emphasised that traditional inventory practices are no longer sustainable. "Maintaining months of stock simply doesn't make financial sense in today's market," he told attendees. "Our systems can reduce inventory cycles from 90 days to just seven while maintaining production continuity."  

Central to Wurth's proposition is the Quasimac vending system, which controls access to consumables like lubricants and fasteners through digital authentication.

For direct materials, Wurth's Kanban replenishment system offers just-in-time delivery tailored to consumption patterns. "We design custom bins that trigger automatic restocking when levels fall below predetermined thresholds," Gajjar explained. He cited case studies where manufacturers reduced inventory values from INR 1.2-crore to INR 18-lakh without compromising production schedules.  

The Refilo chemical management system completes Wurth's lean trifecta, addressing both cost and sustainability concerns. The reusable container system can withstand 1,000 cycles, dramatically reducing packaging waste and hazardous disposal fees that typically cost INR 50 to INR 100 per litre in India.  

With 12 existing clients among the 226-member Indian Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute, Wurth has already demonstrated the viability of its solutions in the local market. The company's approach aligns with global Industry 4.0 trends, combining physical infrastructure with digital monitoring capabilities.  

Gajjar's presentation concluded with a compelling value proposition for an industry facing squeezed margins and sustainability pressures. "This isn't just about cutting costs today," he remarked. "It's about building operational resilience for tomorrow's challenges." As packaging manufacturers seek competitive advantages, Wurth's integrated systems offer a roadmap to leaner, more responsive operations.