Gemini Industries Boosts Efficiency, Quality with Enhanced Automation at El Reno Wood Coatings Plant

Gemini Industries, a top employee-owned wood coatings manufacturer, completed a major upgrade at its El Reno, Oklahoma facility by installing a new, fully automated, state-of-the-art packaging line.

The company added a new, fully automated packaging line to streamline end-of-line operations, from filling containers to preparing final shipments. This upgrade significantly deepens Gemini’s commitment to advanced manufacturing, expanding its use of FANUC robotic solutions to include sophisticated tasks like box erecting and robotic pallet packaging. This strategic move reinforces Gemini's vision to be a pioneer in coatings technology, efficiency, and customer service.

Features of the new system include:

• Upgraded packaging: A Combi Case Erector 2-EZ HS now forms and bottom-seals box cases, significantly increasing line efficiency and throughput.

• Improved palletizing: An additional FANUC robot was added specifically for Gemini’s application of specialized case packing and palletizing that handles wood coatings packaging with precision.

• Enhanced product coding: An upgraded inkjet case coding system now prints product and lot numbers directly onto boxes, improving traceability and eliminating the need for sticker labels.

• Advanced quality assurance: A custom Cognex vision sensor array verifies both the presence of bail handles and the accuracy of labeling, ensuring every product is packaged correctly before leaving the line.

“Expanding our automation is not just about speed,” said Jason Melton, Chief Operations Officer of Gemini Industries, Inc. “It’s about safety, consistency and scalability. Every improvement allows us to deliver a higher-quality, more reliable product to our customers while also supporting our employee-owners’ well-being and creating more efficient workflows.”

Automation is critical to Gemini’s long-term strategy, enabling the company to meet growing customer demand, uphold rigorous quality standards, and strengthen its competitive edge in the coatings industry.

Source: Gemini