Bulk bags are one of the most commonly used types of industrial packaging, mainly because of their versatility and cost-effectiveness.

If you’re in the business of using bulk bags on a regular basis to transport your goods, you will probably want to invest in a filling machine to make the job of filling them so much easier. But what do you need to take into consideration, when choosing a bulk bag filler?

Here, we look at six vital points you need to consider:

1. The first thing you have to work out is how many bulk bags you will be filling each week.

Machines are available with the capacity to fill between one and 20 bags an hour, so you should know how many you are likely to need filling on an average day, before making a choice.

Getting a machine with the capacity to fill more than you need may pay dividends in the future. Should your business grow, you will not then need to buy a larger machine, but bear in mind this will cost you more.

2. You will need to decide which type of filling machine to buy – manual, semi-automatic or fully-automatic.

This will depend on a variety of factors, including how many staff you have or want to employ, how many bags they can safely handle in a given shift and the output of your business.

For example, if you only need to fill a few bags a day, you’ll probably make do with a manual filler, but if you handle a large number of bags on a regular basis, an automatic or semi-automatic filler may be more efficient.

3. If your business uses other types of industrial packaging apart from bulk bags, such as boxes or drums, then you may be better off investing in a multi-function filler, which can do all of the jobs for you.

Buying a multi-function filler which can switch from one type of packaging to another in seconds will help you boost production and efficiency, as well as taking up less space in your warehouse.

4. When choosing any type of machine, you should bear the health and safety of your staff in mind at all times.

One of the most important considerations in bulk bag-filling is the containment of any dust produced by the goods you are using.

If your products are likely to produce dust, you should ensure you buy a machine which contains a dust collector and filter, which will vacuum the particles away from the operator.

5. Certain types of goods, such as food, will require extra sanitary considerations when deciding on the appropriate filling machine.

Ensure the filler you choose meets any industry standards for hygiene purposes, by checking with national bodies and health and safety regulations before buying.

6. Finally, you will need to make sure your new filling machine is compatible with the feeding system you have in place.

High capacity, automatic fillers will only be slowed down by outdated, slow feeding systems.