Broaden your knowledge of returnable packaging at Auto Logistics Global Conference, Detroit.

In September the Auto Logistics Global Conference is taking place in Detroit and we will be there showcasing the opportunities that Macro Plastics’ ISO Bin can provide you in your global supply chain.

The key areas of the conference will be Big Data and the internet of things and both of these can be utilised by the industry to improve sustainability and create opportunities for the coming years.

If the industry understood the potential of returnable packaging in a global supply chain, they would realise how they can make their operations more sustainable and help them realise opportunities they have on the horizon.

I believe that there is a lack of awareness within the automotive industry about the opportunity for Global returnable transit packaging. Due to the lack of knowledge there is a fear to try something new in the supply chain which is the only way that the individuals responsible for logistics will be able to get a better picture of how these type of solutions can benefit them in the long run.

I recently came across an infographic by Control Hub highlighting that supply chain and logistics mangers believe that costs could be better controlled. There were two statistics that drew my attention. Firstly, 43% were concerned about identifying the most efficient shipping routes and reducing miles. Identifying the shortest or most cost effective route to transport components from tier suppliers and OEM’s is always going to be on the agenda. The interesting element of this statistic was the reducing miles part. Fully understanding the opportunities of using returnable packaging, 

such as the ISO Bin, helps to increase pack density. Therefore, shipping more parts per load which in turn reduces the number of loads and therefore reducing the miles.

Secondly, only 28% of the managers were concerned about the optimisation of the transportation network with pooling points. This again raises my main angst about supply chain and logistics managers not fully understanding the potential pooling companies can provide when using returnable packaging in a global manufacturing footprint. The Control Hub article concludes that on the whole companies agree that logistics costs can be better controlled yet less than a third of those questioned are interested in looking at the efficiency improvements and cost savings pooling providers can deliver.

This is an industry growing on a global scale looking to reduce costs, increase quantities and improve the bottom line. Utilising a pooling company in the global supply chain using a market leading returnable packaging solution can answer two of those objectives and contribute the third which is also the ultimate one – improving the bottom line.

During the Auto Logistics Global Conference, one of my aims is to open the eyes and ears of supply chain and logistics providers to the benefits that a product like the ISO Bin can bring them. The industry is consistently innovating the vehicles they produce, they should be thinking innovatively about their internal processes too. 

The ISO Bin should be the industries returnable of choice, see why at Auto Supply Chain, Liverpool

How much does it cost you to dispose of your packaging? Or if you do happen to use returnable, do you think there could be competitive alternatives?

With the ISO Bin from Macro Plastics, sponsor of the AutoSupply Chain Congress, there are no costs to disposing of packaging as there is nothing to dispose of. Installing dunnage inside the ISO Bin removes the need for cardboard and plastic packaging, therefore no rubbish means no cost.

Then you have concerns about the cost of shipping back to the OEM or tier supplier? Have you encountered extortionate costs for return journeys previously?

Pay me a visit whilst in Liverpool at the congress so that you can see why this type of packaging is a viable alternative to your current method solely on the benefits of returning the bins.

Purchasing cardboard and assembling the packing is a recurring cost that is removed when using plastic returnable. Plastic returnable packaging also removes the costs associated with processing components in cardboard packaging. There are no storage costs, there is no need for picking and repackaging at the plant as the ISO Bin can go lineside. Then there are disposal costs that you incur with cardboard. This sustainable product not only helps your bottom line but also ensures that your supply chain is environmentally friendly, especially as we are now in a time when green standards are high on the agenda.

The ISO containers can be stacked 8 high on their return journey, this significantly reduces the space that is needed in comparison to current returnable options on the market. Therefore you can increase the number of units per container and reducing the cost of returning the bin.

With regard to the dunnage, a dedicated container is used to return the dunnage used in the delivery of the components to the plant. The bulk of the ISO Bins can then be collapsed down and stacked to either be returned to the tier supplier or can be used elsewhere in the supply chain.

The ISO Bin can be safely stacked in a warehouse 6 high when fully loaded, again reducing the space required in comparison to alternatives and reducing the storage costs.

Potential cost downs couple with improved performance of your growing supply chain cannot be ignored. This is a solution that delivers on the two key areas of the logistical process having a direct impact on the bottom line providing a ROI.

But then why do you need to be concerned about ROI when there are options that do not require capital investment?

Come and see the ISO Bin at the Auto Supply Chain Congress, Liverpool

In June Macro Plastics are one of the sponsors of the Auto Supply Chain Congress in Liverpool and we will be exhibiting the ISO Bin.

During the congress the bin will be there so come and see for yourselves what it can do for your automotive supply chain. Saving time and money whilst helping you to improve the efficiencies throughout your logistics process, you can’t afford to ignore what this product has to offer.

What are you currently using in your Global supply chain to transport components from tier suppliers and OEMs?

Are you using returnable packaging at all? If not, why not?

As with anything new, there is always a little hesitancy and apprehension which is understandable but, when it comes down to business and an industry which is as fast paced as the automotive manufacturing, hesitancy can result in being left behind.

Therefore, Liverpool is the ideal opportunity to come and look at the ISO Bin first hand to gain a better understanding of returnable packaging and the ISO Bin in particular.

As the industry increases in complexity on a global scale the need to increase volumes and frequency whilst reducing costs is heightening. You have to ask yourself, are your current packaging solutions going to be up to the tasks you are facing?

Integrating the plastic ISO Bin into your global supply chain optimises pack densities utilising 97.2% of floor space in ISO Sea containers and can be stacked 3 high. The durability of the plastic used by Macro Plastics reduces the risk of damages during transportation. In comparison to using wood in your supply chain, plastic reduces the overall weight and in turn, shipping costs.

The ISO Bin has been designed so that it is able to go direct to line-side further reducing costs by removing the need for handling processes or repack. Having a packaging solution that allows components to arrive at the manufacturing plant and be transported directly to where it will be assembled onto the vehicle significantly reduces the risk of damages, improves speed and preserves quality in transit therefore reducing costs in the supply chain further.

Those are just some of the benefits of the ISO Bin concentrating on the first leg of the journey shipping the parts. We haven’t got into the results it can produce for you on the return journey; I will be covering this in my next blog.

As I have said earlier in this piece, the Auto Supply Chain congress is the perfect opportunity to get your head around the ISO Bin and have all of your questions answered. 

How can returnable packaging drive the performance of your global supply chain?

In March, I will be attending the annual AutomotiveLogistics Conference in Bonn, Germany, representing Macro Plastics.

To quote the beginning of the overview on the AutomotiveLogistics website of the conference – “Supply chain professionals at OEMs and Tier Suppliers across Europe are coming up with innovative – and contrasting – ways of improving the bottom line.”

This is exactly what returnable packaging provides and the ISO bin from Macro Plastics is both innovative and contrasting. Global returnable systems are currently in operation in the automotive supply chain.

Moving out of the financial difficulty which has shrouded the previous years, the automotive supply chain industry is looking towards refining their processes. Returnable packaging is one process that can be refined to make improvements to the supply chain immediately and making it resilient for years to come.

Reducing operating costs and improving efficiency are the two main aims of a supply chain. With the quantities, speed demands increasing on a continental and global scale returnable packaging is becoming a must.

The ISO bin is innovative in its design to a standardised international footprint, therefore it can fit in seamlessly into your global supply chain. Moving towards sustainable returnable packaging is inevitable as it is required to remain competitive in the automotive market. 

How far are we away from standardised packaging?

The myth that the automotive industry can’t standardise packaging on a global scale is an issue that is quite irritating.

We as an industry, in terms of automotive manufacturers and in supply chain and logistics, are increasingly talking about the shift towards global manufacturing. So how can some people still not entertain the idea of a returnable packaging solution that is standardised?

A manufacturing process that spans continents taking place in numerous countries which is growing is going to require more parts more often covering thousands of miles in various forms of transportation. So why not have packaging that complies with all guidelines, is suitable for all forms of transport and delivers on cost, efficiency and quality.

But then here is my point – so many of you are unaware of the opportunity in returnable packaging being charged on a one trip only basis across continents. Has the automotive industry turned a blind eye to the ISOBin solution and how this can be the FIRST EVER standardised packaging solution?

ISO Bin is tailored to the ISO Sea Container to optimise capacity for goods to be shipped globally. The ISO Bin cubes out to 97.2% of the containers – so this is a packaging solution for the only globally standardised shipping containers that are the market leaders in terms of optimisation.

With this in mind – are we really that far away from a standardised returnable packaging solution? Are we that far away from the automotive industry realising that with production growing and the shift to global manufacturing models, that not only require returnable packaging and not expendables but also a standard solution that can be used across their supply chain?

At Macro Plastics with the ISO Bin we could have the first ever recognised standard packaging that delivers on all requirements of a modern day returnable packaging solution.

All of this has stemmed through a detailed design process ensuring that all manner of requirements from cost efficiencies to environmental issues and it has led to a quality returnable solution. If you are shipping in cardboard then the content have to unpacked and then transported to the line, these are unnecessary handling processes when the ISO is able to go straight to the assembly line.

The ISO Bin is one quick fix that can be shipped globally, is the best on the market in terms of space utilisation helping you to ship more and reduce costs. This is an environmentally friendly solution that can be leased to help reduce shipping costs and is available as a one-way rental, further reducing costs and driving up efficiency and quality standards.

So with all of these factors, why is the automotive industry yet to have a standardised returnable packaging solution that produces results for them? 

Automotive Logistics Conference, Bonn 2014 – How are you Exploring Value?

The theme of this year’s Automotive Logistics conference in Bonn is the Exploration of Value. As the supply chain industry evolves value is becoming the main focal point.

How do we transport automotive components globally as cheap and effectively as possible? This is the burning question on the manufacturers’ minds.

The global automotive market is growing at a pace; this requires more components being required in more locations more often. Quality, time and cost are the three core objectives. With competition growing all three have to be delivered to a high standard. And these standards will only grow as time goes on.

So my question is – if you are not using returnable packaging how are you exploring value in your supply chain and logistics solutions?

Where are you currently making efficiency and financial savings as well as improving quality at the same time?

Macro Plastics’ ISO Bin is the perfect example of how to explore the value of your supply chain in the automotive industry.

Do you know of an expendable packaging solution that optimises the space in an ISO container to 97.2%? Macro’s ISO bin can be stacked 3 high in a container when full and 8 high when empty. Ensuring that you are able to transport as much as possible for your money is a fine example of ensuring value.

This is only 1 example of exploring value.