Irish toy retailer Smyths Toys has adapted Sparck Technologies’ advanced ‘right-size’ auto packaging technology to increase the throughput of its e-commerce business.

The retailer has installed three of Sparck’s CVP automated packaging machines at its distribution centre in Corby, Northamptonshire, England.

Out of the three machines, two are classed as CVP Impack and the other as CVP Everest.

The Impack system features a high-capacity model and helps in forming and sealing up to 500 tailor-made cardboard boxes every hour while the Everest machine can make up to 1,100 boxes per hour.

Smyths' latest move comes as part of a major investment in the warehouse automation capabilities of its Corby distribution centre.

The retailer said the new machines will help in packing more than 70% of its orders automatically.

Currently, Smyths owns and operates more than 100 stores across the UK, along with its online platform that offers a wide range of toys, outdoor items, and gaming products for children of all age groups.

Smyths' warehouse manager Stephen Kearney said: “We needed to increase throughput for our fast-growing online business and the most obvious means of achieving the performance required, particularly for peak, was to leverage the speed and efficiency of right-size packaging technology.

“We could also see how fit-to-size packaging would help us further improve our position on sustainability through optimising package size and removing the need for void fill.”

All three machines installed at the Corby centre feature dual induct stations and double corrugate feeders that are designed for 600mm and 800mm card material.

The retailer claimed that it uses paper tape when sealing the packaging, which helps in the recycling process of cardboard.

Sparck UK's business development manager Jo Bradley said: “We are delighted to be working with one of Europe’s most respected toy retailers and we look forward to developing a close partnership with Smyths Toys, supporting its growth objectives for the future.”