It is all in the Design

“Packaging is about so much more than designing a box or a crate” – Sam Ogle

There is a lot more than the design process of packaging but that is where the real benefits are realised whether that is in the form of cost, environmental or efficiency. It all begins at the outset.

A key element of the design process is gauging the amount of materials required, this can then have a considerable impact on the benefits when the packaging is in use. The less plastic used leads to lower costs; this is a quick fix to making savings before the customer experiences the other financial benefits of using containers in their supply chain.

As well as reducing production costs by using less plastic, it also means using less resin which reduces the weight and has environmental effects. Ensuring that a design looks at the maximisation of weight is essential as it is now important to ship as much as possible in a short space of time. Using fewer raw materials is environmentally friendly in the production of the packaging and also being able to transport more per container will help to reduce transportation costs which are directly linked to the effects on the environment.

Looking towards bespoke returnable packaging is the movement away from off-the shelf options. Returnable packaging is now offering innovative methods of transporting goods. There is a perception that off-the-shelf returnable packaging is has stagnated and seeing a drop in quality.

So now there is no reason to say no to returnable packaging.

Do away with your Cardboard Boxes

Where is the fresh produce market going in terms of packaging?

The two key questions that contribute to this are along the lines of – what do they require to grow and how you do you deliver on these requirements and make savings?

As a grower of fresh produce, how would you feel if you could transport your goods with using cardboard?

Cardboard is an age old packaging material that has been used to transport a whole manner of goods in all shapes and sizes.  Have you looked at alternative solutions that you could move to for the same costs but improve all round efficiency and quality?

Fresh produce are a delicate yet heave good to pack and transport. The durability of cardboard is an issue when weight is concerned.

The other concern with cardboard and its durability is when it is stacked or becomes damp. This then has a direct impact on the products it contains. These disadvantages can become quite costly both financially and to a company’s reputation.

An additional issue is freshness and quality that is essential for the customer. If the packaging is susceptible to collapsing or deforming when in transportation there is going to be a negative impact on the quality of the product as a result of damage which incurs costs. As cardboard boxes wither have solid surfaces or slight perforation at best and then an open top, therefore there is a restriction to the air flow which has a knock on effect in reducing the freshness.

At Macro Plastics we have an affordable one trip plastic merchandising box which goes straight onto the shelves of supermarkets. This is a direct alternative to the cardboard packaging, which is exactly what the supermarkets are looking for.

With the solution that we provide also fits in with the supermarkets desires of limited contact in the supply chain process. The application ensures that the produce is only touched once in the supply chain which is the grower before being purchased by the consumer. This removes the whole process of handling, which saves costs and reduces the chances of damage. A perfect alternative to cardboard.

Macro Plastics are continuously looking at how efficiency and quality can be improved, looking towards new plastic alternatives is continuously on the agenda.

Plastic is the packaging material of choice for the coming period of logistics. How would you like a packaging solution that provides the following elements?

·         Ensuring your produce is fresh for up to three days

·         Cooling produce 60% quicker than cardboard

·         Stop the crushing of products on the bottom layers

·         Zero contamination

·         Option for 100% recycle of reuse

·         Direct merchandising solution

Fruit Logistica – What exactly is it?

Fruit Logistica isn’t too far away now, so that means that the launch of the Macro Plastics Hybridbin is nearly upon us.

Fruit Logistica is running from the 5^th – 7^th February in Berlin and is the largest exhibition in the fresh produce industry. It is not just about the fruit and vegetables, the event brings together anything connected to the industry into one hub.

There will be in the region of 2,500 companies being represented in Berlin, me being one of them as the front for Macro Plastics. The large number of companies attending will range from producers to packaging, press to internet solutions. Any function that is involved with fresh produce from growing all the way through to the end of the process in arriving to the consumer will be present.

That is why this is the ideal location to launch the Hybridbin to the fresh produce market. In this day and age in business as well as in life there are two main aims. Firstly, to save as much money as possible and reduce costs. Secondly, get as much for your money as possible. The Hybridbin delivers both of these to the fresh produce industry.

People attending Fruit Logistica are looking for the new additions to the market and getting value for money. For producers looking to get value for money Fruit Logistica is the best shop window in the world, with everything on offer. If a product or service associated with the fresh produce industry isn’t at the exhibition, it is not worth considering. This goes back to why I am launching the Hybridbin in Berlin.

I will be in the US Pavilion in Hall 23 Stand A03, come and see how the Hybridbin can improve your fresh produce supply chain, saving you money and improving quality of your product.