Consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturers are under increasing pressure to do more with less.
Product portfolios continue to expand. Retailers are requesting more display-ready packaging, variety packs, and promotional formats. At the same time, manufacturers are expected to increase throughput while minimizing labor, reducing downtime, and making the most of available floor space.
Rather than adding standalone equipment for every new requirement, many manufacturers are turning to combination packaging systems that integrate multiple packaging functions into one coordinated solution.
The right combination depends on your products, packaging formats, production goals, and future growth plans.
Here are five of the most common system configurations manufacturers are evaluating in 2026:
For manufacturers packaging cartons into shipping cases, combining cartoning and case packing can simplify product flow while reducing manual handling.
This system is commonly used for:
Benefits include:
Bringing these processes together helps manufacturers eliminate unnecessary transitions while maintaining production speed.
Case packing and palletizing are often two of the most labor-intensive operations at the end of the line.
Integrating these functions allows manufacturers to:
For high-volume production environments, this combination creates a more efficient path from finished product to warehouse.
Retail-ready packaging continues to grow as retailers seek faster shelf stocking and improved product presentation.
Modern systems can automate:
Rather than relying on manual assembly, manufacturers can produce retail-ready packages at production speeds while improving consistency and reducing labor.
Not every manufacturer needs a complete packaging line on day one.
Modular systems allow companies to begin with the automation they need today while providing flexibility to expand later.
A modular approach can help manufacturers:
For growing operations, modularity provides flexibility without requiring a complete line replacement as production needs evolve.
For manufacturers looking to optimize the entire packaging process, turnkey systems provide a fully integrated solution from product infeed through palletizing.
These systems may include:
With one coordinated system, manufacturers benefit from streamlined communication between equipment, simplified controls, and improved production efficiency.
No two manufacturing operations are exactly alike.
The right combination depends on factors such as:
Evaluating these factors early helps ensure your packaging investment supports your operation both today and in the future.
At Aagard, we don't believe manufacturers should have to fit their operation around standard equipment.
Our engineering team works with customers to understand their products, production goals, packaging requirements, and long-term plans before designing an integrated packaging solution.
Whether the need is cartoning and case packing, retail-ready packaging, or a fully integrated end-of-line system, our focus is helping manufacturers simplify operations, improve efficiency, and prepare for future growth.
If you're considering a combination packaging system, our engineers can help identify the right configuration for your products, production goals, and facility.
Contact us today to discuss your application.
The right packaging equipment depends on your products, package formats, production volumes, available floor space, and future growth plans. Evaluating these factors helps determine the combination of technologies that best supports your operation.
Yes. Modern combination packaging systems can run a variety of package styles—including shipping cases, variety packs, retail-ready displays, and mixed-SKU packages—with quick, repeatable changeovers.
Choose flexible, scalable equipment that can accommodate new products, additional SKUs, changing package formats, and future production growth. Modular system designs can also make future expansion easier.
Look for a partner that takes time to understand your operation, designs solutions around your production goals, provides integration expertise, and offers long-term service and support after installation.
Bottlenecks often occur when manual processes or disconnected equipment can't keep pace with production. Integrated combination systems improve product flow by reducing handoffs and coordinating multiple packaging processes.