Douglas Pharmaceuticals, New Zealand’s leading pharmaceutical manufacturer, has taken a major step forward in product quality assurance by installing CI Precision’s latest high-performance weight sorting equipment. The project, completed earlier this year, is already delivering efficiency gains and supporting the company’s commitment to the highest regulatory standards.
The challenge
Douglas Pharmaceuticals needed a robust, high-accuracy solution to weigh and sort batches of humidity-sensitive soft gel capsules. These products require precise weight control to maintain dosage consistency, patient safety, and compliance with stringent global regulatory frameworks.
In addition, the company was seeking to improve operational efficiency, streamline in-process checks, and minimise waste — all while ensuring seamless integration with its existing manufacturing workflows.
The solution
Following a rigorous vendor selection process, Douglas chose CI Precision’s next-generation weight sorter for its proven accuracy, reliability, and ease of operation. CI Precision worked closely with Douglas’s operational technology and industrial automation teams to configure the system for optimal performance with soft gels in a controlled humidity environment.
The equipment was delivered, installed, and Site Acceptance Tested (SAT) without disruption to production, reflecting the strong collaboration between the two companies.
The results
With the CI Precision system now in operation, Douglas has:
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Enhanced compliance confidence – consistent capsule weight control ensures alignment with strict GMP requirements (PIC/S) across international markets.
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Improved operational efficiency – faster throughput and reduced manual intervention streamline production.
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Minimised product loss – precision sorting reduces overfill and waste, contributing to cost savings.
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Strengthened quality assurance – every batch meets Douglas’s gold-standard quality benchmarks before leaving the factory.
Barry Williams, Operational Technology and Industrial Automation & Controls Manager at Douglas Pharmaceuticals, praised the project’s execution:
“It was a pleasure working with CI Precision from start to finish, and you have really set the gold standard as a vendor that all others will struggle to meet.”
A model for partnership
Nik Rainbow, Aftersales and APAC Sales Manager at CI Precision, said:
This project was a true example of partnership in action — aligning engineering excellence with a shared commitment to quality and efficiency. Working with Barry, Damian, Larry, Grace, and Jachin was a real pleasure, and we’re proud to support Douglas in maintaining its reputation for product integrity and regulatory compliance.
