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Harry Potter Story: New Packaging System Works Like Magic!

In order to be on time for publication day, July 16th, one of Britain’s leading booksellers needed to pack more than 350,000 Harry Potter (VI) books between the witching hour of midnight of July 9th and noon on July 13th. The new packaging system chosen to cope with these high volumes has performed miracles!

The essential problem was that hand packing would not be able to cope efficiently with such high volumes in such a short period. The solution was three Angus & Wright 900 machines which were modified to form a tray and lid, creating what looks like a conventional box shaped pack. An easy open tear strip was added to the pack so the young fans could get their hands on this publishing phenomenon even more quickly.

The package itself uses Coldseal Packaging. Coldseal is latex coated corrugated kraft, ideal for the packaging of books, CD’s, DVD’s and many other items, providing a lightweight and totally reliable cushioning protection. Coldseal is manufactured by BSK, part of DS Smith Plastics.

David Silk of Angus & Wright explains: “This packaging problem has been solved with imagination and flair. The new system has produced packaging which looks good, provides the necessary level of protection for postal use, and is easy for the (mostly) young readers to open. It sets new standards for high volume book fulfilment.”

For more information on the machine systems and Coldseal® materials please go to www.anguswright.com