Galdi’s product development approach

In the past two years, we have launched two new packaging machine models: the innovative RG80 and our top-of-the-line RG280 filler.

Remarkably, both packaging systems were created to respond to actual and present market requirements.

This was possible because our development approach enables us to be faster, more flexible and responsive in coming up with solutions for our customers.

Our project development process is based on the Agile methodology, which we adapted and fine-tuned to fit our manufacturing needs, incorporating the key elements that represent our identity and give us a competitive advantage, namely:

• Customer participation: the Agile methodology ensures high responsiveness during project development, so we can detect market needs early and quickly turn them into solutions. The innovation drive that inspires our work always starts from listening to customers and is designed to adapt to their changing needs.
• Flexibility: since our work progresses through incremental developments, we can modify specifications on the go. This gives us a competitive advantage, because we can respond swiftly to our customers' needs and any (regulatory) changes in scenario during the development process.
• Shortened development timelines: by engaging the whole value chain, including customers, suppliers, sales and procurement departments, we get very quick feedback. This reduces the time it takes to design and develop a new solution.
• Robustness: Learning cycles based on rapid prototyping enable us to grow more knowledgeable about the product as we progress. Hence, the machines we manufacture and take to market respond more easily and quickly to customer needs.

After identifying a business idea, the strategic Product Inception stage begins. We build a development team, with specific roles assigned (Product Owner, Project Leader, etc.) and activities planned according to the Scrum framework, a typical Agile method.

The cross-functional team uses tools such as Canvas to review and develop the project further.

During the first stage, customers and specialists from different departments (service, sales, and technical people) work together on a value proposition, or product concept.

Looking at a number of variables, such as product and packaging type, desired production capacity and costs, the concept is then translated into potential machine features.

Each feature is analyzed in-depth, using an iterative approach, in order to define both the functional modules that make up the machine and the relevant technical specifications (dosing pump type, dosing accuracy, machine layout, hygiene level, cleaning mode, etc.).

Once the main design activities are identified and stored in a Backlog, the Product Inception stage ends and the actual Project Execution phase begins.

Each activity is linked to the concept of specific machine functionalities.

Sometimes innovative solutions require a level of know-how Galdi hasn’t yet achieved. This is where our Innovation Lab comes into play.

Within the lab, ideas and new solutions are tested through physical testing or simulations (speaking of which, an interesting project for the development of a Digital Twin system is currently underway).

The process ends with two fundamental stages of the development cycle:

• Verification: Acceptance testing is carried out to verify whether the packaging machine meets and complies with the specifications and performance requirements defined in the Product Inception stage.
• Field Test Validation: an on-site test serves to verify whether the machine meets the performance requirements within the customer's working environment.

Once the machine has been in operation for several hours, feedback is collected. We also assess the machine's performance robustness, making corrections and adjustments where needed.

At the end of the process, the product is validated.

Galdi uses this methodology to develop both new packaging systems and applications for packaging machines that are already in use, working in close cooperation with customers.

In this case, two key elements make the development cycle even more agile:

• A dedicated Life Cycle Engineering team, made up of top technicians from different departments. Striving for continuous improvement throughout the product's life cycle, they make sure that Galdi solutions are always up-to-date, adapting them to regulatory changes and any new applications the market may require.
  
• The platform concept: Galdi packaging machines are designed to easily adapt to changing needs, different applications or packaging configurations (for instance, the RG270 packaging machine can be adapted to handle 2-litre Gable Top cartons).

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