Keeping up with the ever-evolving consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry is challenging, especially for engineers working with packaging equipment. Much of the knowledge needed to design, integrate, commission and operate equipment is shared informally or learned through experience, making it difficult for new team members to catch up and for seasoned engineers to reference past lessons.
Haskell’s Manufacturing Integration (MI) group created the Equip-opedia to bridge this gap, compiling detailed equipment descriptions, design guidelines, troubleshooting insights and lessons learned into a single, structured resource.
The idea struck Ginna Pratt, the group’s Manager of Quality & Training, in 2019 when she and a colleague were commiserating about the lack of accessible technical resources available for their new hires. While many team members have deep expertise, a lack of standardization complicates training and knowledge retention.
Initially, the project focused on ancillary components – small but essential systems like coders, hose reels, print & apply labelers and rejectors, which are often undervalued in project planning. The team expanded its focus to include more commonly used equipment to make the resource more impactful and ensure a broader foundation for engineers working on more complex projects.
The first entry, published in November 2022 by Pratt and Strategic Sourcing Manager Rob Fineman, set the standard for new additions by capturing insights into the equipment’s function, installation challenges and significant lessons learned. This entry detailed laser coders based on Fineman’s experience working on a high-speed bag-in-box line project. The repository has grown significantly, with contributions from MI’s engineers and project teams.
Today, the Equip-opedia includes 39 entries spanning more than 450 pages and is regularly updated as teams return from projects and share their learnings. Engineers attending Pack Expo Chicago in 2022 and 2024 were assigned specific equipment types to research, gathering insights from vendors and colleagues to expand the database further.
More than just a training tool, Equip-opedia serves as a technical reference that helps MI teams work more efficiently and avoid common design and installation issues. By documenting and continuously refining equipment knowledge, the team can improve project execution, streamline decision-making and ensure valuable expertise stays within the organization. The group plans to prioritize conveyor system entries in 2025, continuing to build a resource that evolves alongside industry advancements.
“The Equip-opedia has become a key part of MI’s commitment to continuous improvement and knowledge-sharing,” Pratt said. “By systematically capturing knowledge in a structured and accessible way, our team is helping engineers work smarter and more effectively on every project.”
Haskell's subject matter experts consistently maintain a holistic and innovative approach to problem-solving, which means they regularly participate in solutions-focused discussions across disciplines and industries. Contact our team to leverage that thought leadership on your next project.
