UK-based sports fashion retailer JD has invested in an advanced right-size auto packaging system from Sparck Technologies, a controlled vacuum packaging (CVP) automated solutions provider.

The machine, called CVP Everest, has been installed at JD’s fully automated e-commerce distribution centre in Derby.

The high-speed CVP Everest machine at JD’s new Derby fulfilment centre can create and box around 1,100 single or multiple item orders every hour.

JD Automation and Engineering head Paul Stokes said: “Having experienced the speed, reliability and performance of Sparck Technologies’ CVP Impack machine at our Rochdale DC, we are confident that right-size boxing technology is a key capability for the future – offering major benefits in fulfilling e-commerce orders in a cost-efficient and sustainable way.”

JD’s latest investment in Sparck’s machine comes as part of the ongoing partnership between the two companies.

In 2021, JD invested in Sparck Technologies’ CVP Impack machine at its distribution centre in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, England.

The machine is used by JD to pack online orders at a rate of up to 500 boxes per hour.

Sparck Technologies said that this machine is capable of automatically creating made-to-measure boxes accurately as per the optimum dimensions requirement of every specific order.

Sparck Technologies UK business development manager Jo Bradley said: “We are delighted to be partnering with one of Europe’s largest retail brands and we look forward to working with them on fulfilling their growth objectives for the future.”

Both CVP Everest and CVP Impack packaging machines have been designed to provide automated solutions for e-commerce operations and to deal with rising order volumes and demand for sustainable packaging solutions.

The CVP machines create, fill, fold and label each box in a single process, thereby minimising package volumes by up to 50%.

They also help in reducing overall cardboard usage by nearly 30%, while eliminating the requirement for void fill.