Should Packaging Companies Invest in Automation or People First?

If you talk to enough plant managers or owners in printing and packaging right now, one question keeps coming up:

Should we invest in automation, or should we invest in people first?

It’s not just a talking point. It’s something companies are actively trying to figure out as they deal with labor shortages, tighter timelines, and more complex jobs.

But the way the question is usually framed misses something important.

This industry has always been built on skilled people. That hasn’t changed. What has changed is the environment they’re working in.

Why Automation Is Getting So Much Attention

There’s a reason automation is everywhere right now.

Whether it’s flexo, digital, corrugated, or cartons, companies are investing in things like automated setups, color control systems, robotics, and faster digital equipment.

A lot of it comes down to a few realities:

• It’s harder to find experienced people than it used to be

• Customers want shorter runs and faster turnarounds

• There’s less room for error

• Companies need to produce more without constantly adding headcount

For a lot of operations, automation isn’t about replacing people. It’s about keeping up.

Why People Still Matter Just as Much

At the same time, anyone who has spent real time on a production floor knows this:

A press doesn’t run itself.

Even with the latest equipment, you still need people who understand how things actually work.

• Operators who can spot issues before they become bigger problems

• Maintenance Technicians who understand how a press behaves, not just how it’s supposed to behave

• Supervisors who can keep production moving when things don’t go according to plan

That kind of experience is hard to replace.

In fact, as equipment gets more advanced, that experience often becomes even more valuable.

Why This Is Such a Big Topic Right Now

This conversation is happening more now because the industry is being pulled in a few different directions at once.

You’ve got shorter runs, more SKUs, and more frequent changeovers. Digital printing is growing. Customers expect faster turnaround times.

At the same time, a lot of experienced operators are getting closer to retirement, and there aren’t as many people coming in behind them.

And on top of that, equipment is getting more advanced and more expensive.

So companies are trying to decide where to put their time and money, and how to set themselves up for years to come.

The Problem With Treating It Like a Choice

Where companies run into trouble is when they treat this like an either-or decision.

If you go all in on automation without the right people in place, you end up with equipment that isn’t being used to its full potential. Or worse, it creates new problems that no one is fully equipped to handle.

On the flip side, if you rely only on people but don’t improve systems or invest in better tools, you can end up with burnout, inefficiencies, and a hard time keeping up with demand.

Most companies don’t fail because they chose the wrong side. They struggle because things aren’t aligned.

What the Best Companies Are Doing Differently

The companies that seem to be doing this well aren’t choosing between automation and people.

They’re building their approach around both.

A few things stand out:

They lean on their experienced people

Operators are still the backbone of production. They’re also the ones helping train newer employees and keep things steady when things get unpredictable.

They use automation to support the team, not replace it

The goal is to take repetitive or frustrating tasks off people’s plates and make the job easier to manage.

They invest in training, not just equipment

New technology only works if people are comfortable using it. The companies that put time into training tend to get much better results from their investments.

They hire for mindset, not just background

Mechanical skill is still critical. But being open to learning and adapting is just as important now.

So What Should Come First?

If you’re looking for a simple answer, there really isn’t one.

But if there’s a practical way to think about it, it’s this:

The better your people are, the more value you’ll get out of any investment in automation.

The newest equipment in the world doesn’t mean much if you don’t have the right team behind it.

Final Thoughts

This industry isn’t moving away from skilled operators. If anything, it’s asking more of them.

The fundamentals are still the same. You still need people who understand the work, who can troubleshoot, and who take pride in what they do.

What’s changing is how that skill gets applied.

The companies that figure out how to combine strong teams with the right technology are the ones that are going to keep moving forward.

At Flexo Finders and PrintConvert Network, we work with companies across printing and packaging to help them find the people who keep operations running.

If you’re trying to build a stronger team or thinking through your next hire, we’re always happy to have a conversation.  Contact us today to learn more!

Flexo Finders: www.flexofinders.com

PrintConvert Network (our new industry-specific job board): www.printconvertnetwork.com