Central Lobão, A Success Story Of Automation With Stretch Hood To Protect Logistics Picking

The Stretch Hood system has become a benchmark in packaging systems due to its ability to adapt to different types of products, as seen in the logistics sector. A great example of Stretch Hood for logistics and picking is the installation by Innova at the Portuguese company Central Lobão, a distributor of machinery and hardware items. Central Lobão knew they needed a packaging solution like Stretch Hood to protect a multi-shaped logistics product, and Innova provided the solution with a Stretch Hood Packaging line installed at their main plant in Santa Maria da Feira, near Porto, which addressed their challenge of automating their end of line for picking.

Central Lobão is one of the leading companies in Portugal in the commercialization and distribution of tools, machinery, equipment, and various accessories for construction, DIY, gardening, and lighting. With exclusive brands and thousands of items in its catalogs, it is a privileged and highly competitive supplier on an international scale.

The challenge: automation and special packaging for logistics

Central Lobão approached us with a project to fully automate their end-of-line processes. They were currently using a manual packaging system, which was inefficient and causing delays in their logistics operations. With the company’s expansion, they required an automated solution for their advanced logistics facility, which spans over 20,000 m² and includes a robotic warehouse.

Central Lobão’s challenge was to find an automated solution that could adapt to all their different load formats and sizes, providing full protection for a product destined for direct delivery to the end customer. This was a case of a product with unique protection needs that could not be fully addressed by other packaging systems.

• Stretch Wrapper system: Although this system is generally recommended for picking, Central Lobão’s load is very uneven and has protrusions that need to be protected from external elements during international transport. Due to the various irregular loads, it was often impossible to apply the top cover of the wrapper to provide complete protection and sealing.
• Shrink-hood system: This is also a common system for picking and multi-shaped loads. However, in Central Lobão’s case, shrink-wrap is not as suitable because the film can adhere to loads containing plastic products. This system is also more expensive in terms of consumables, as it requires a gas installation for the shrinkage process.

The solution for Central Lobão was the Stretch Hood system, which applies a tubular film that conforms to the uneven size of their loads, is respectful of their products, and provides full protection. The Portuguese company also expressed their preference for this system, with which they already had references due to its advanced technology and adaptability.

Central Lobão’s Stretch Hood packaging line

The installed line consisted of a Stretch Hood system with conveyors and accessory complements. For this project, a special adaptation of the conveying line was made to accommodate the different types of pallets used by Central Lobão (in half-Euro pallet sizes). The installation consisted of:

Conveyor line composed of:

• Gauge detection system for detecting the height of special pallets, which sends information to the Stretch Hood system to adjust the hooding to the size of the load.
• Lifting platform with pallet centering before the hooding process.
• Special roller conveyor in the hooding machine adapted to half Europallet formats.
• Outfeed conveyor line for the exit of the wrapped pallets.

Stretch Hood Pro1-S2 System: The Stretch Hood machine is equipped with two film reels to adapt to the different pallet formats used by Lobão. In addition to providing full protection, it offers stability to the load for transport and logistical handling.

Results for Central Lobão: a state-of-the-art packaging line

Central Lobão has achieved an automated end-of-line that is fully connected to their modern logistics warehouse. The company was not only looking for a solution tailored to its product but also chose the innovative Stretch Hood technology for its efficiency, connectivity, sustainability, and savings in consumables.

Central Lobão has expressed its satisfaction with the project and the protection results. They chose Innova Group for the proximity and technical assistance we provide as a reference manufacturer in the neighboring country.

“We at Innova Group are proud to have completed the unique and specialized project presented to us by Central Lobão. It has been a pleasure to work with this leading and renowned company in Portugal, and we hope to maintain a good relationship with them for many years to come.”

Thank you, Central Lobão, for trusting Innova!