Boxing Clever – Packaging workshop at the Automotive Logistics Conference, Bonn

In what ways can innovation and new packaging techniques add value in the automotive logistics industry?

This will be the topic of the Packaging workshop that I will be chairing later this week at the Automotive Logistics European Conference in Bonn, Germany. How can we all raise to the ever evolving challenges and demands being set by the OEMs?

People want a lot of components and parts supplied on a global scale and at larger quantities than ever before. Everyone wants to receive their goods straight to line side, taking out unnecessary handling processes and saving time, and most importantly a one touch supply chain.

So how do we in the packing industry tackle these rising demands head on?

The session will be concentrating on delivering a viable system for returnable packaging on a global scale that not only meets but exceeds the automotive industry’s objectives for a modern day supply chain.

I invite all who are interested to come along to this informative, proactive workshop that we ensure will be controversial, interesting and will demonstrate methods never seen before  but will shape the supply chain in years to come.

The session will be on Thursday 11:00 – 12:15

So come along if you want to be part of the way we change the world of returnable packaging!

Is the automotive industry the sign of growth for 2014?

Can the automotive manufacturing lead the way for other industries towards financial growth? Or is it just a self contained green shoot for the coming year?

However it turns out, the growth figures from the end of last year for the industry make good reading for the manufacturers and good reading for returnable packaging.

Going into a New Year there are always predictions for the coming twelve months, over the last few years these predictions have increased in importance due to the economic downturn.

Keith Barnes, who is Packaging Advisor to Mintel Group, was quoted in the Materials World magazine saying that the packaging industry is “among the first to see an upturn as companies stock up again and look to product development”.

After the period of downturn where manufacturers made cut backs and cost savings they are going to want to capitalise on the predicted growth whilst also making efficiency savings by developing their methods and manufacturing processes. One area that can aid them in becoming more cost effective is returnable packaging.

Having a packaging solution that helps to reduce cost and increases capacity as well as being environmentally friendly is one way of improving the supply chain in the coming twelve months.

Integrating a reusable packing system is also a step in the right direction for years to come.  It provides greater value for money as there isn't a continuous expense of packing materials that are then thrown away. A manufacturer will see increases in efficiency in terms of better use of weight and capacity restrictions and fewer damages. Another efficiency saving is being able to remove unnecessary operations if the packaging solution is able to go straight to the assembly line. This saves on time and money.

Looking to make improvements now can aid the manufacturing process for years to come and returnable packaging is amongst those improvements. This area is increasing in importance due to the continued shift to international business models for the automotive industry.  

Can Packaging make your workplace a Safer Environment?

Health and safety is on the top of everyone’s list of priorities. When people talk about health and safety a number of areas spring to mind.

The question is, is packaging one of them?

The IsoBin, which has been designed by Macro Plastics, is for the automotive industry with safety at the forefront along with the crucial elements of weight and capacity.

The automotive industry has always been a leader when it comes to keeping high standards of safety throughout their lengthy manufacturing process.

Irrespective of how heavy something is components in the automotive industry pose some degree of risk to the safety of the handlers. This is where Macro Plastics have identified where they can help with a packaging solution that meets all of the industry’s requirements.

In recent years there has been a decline in the durability and safety of bins used in the manufacturing of automotive vehicles. This has been due to the cost pressures facing business, the price of virgin resin and the encouraging demand to recycle packaging.

Macro Plastics are now able to deliver the IsoBin which is stronger, more durable and lighter but more importantly safer than other designs already on the market. This delivers a cost effective package to transport components internationally which is integral in today’s market and ensures the safety of the contents and of the handlers involved in the process.

Automotive manufacturers are increasingly looking towards international business models which need to be effective at every stage. The IsoBin is exactly what they require in order to transport from continent to continent.

The IsoBin is a great alternative form of returnable packaging compared to cardboard and steel, the benefits include reduced noise pollution, contamination and damage to components arriving at the line.

A plastic IsoBin is able to go straight to the assembly line which improves time efficiency and reduces the cost as it reduces the processes required to handle other forms of packaging. Commonly when cardboard is used the components have to be unpacked before then being taken lineside.

The weights of the plastic bins add to the cost effectiveness as opposed to metal pallet boxes. Due to the weight of the metal boxes it reduces the amount of components you are able to transport in a sea container.

The Macro Plastics ISO Bin is also available as a “One Way Rental” option across all Deep and Short Sea Supply Chains. This means you can use a Returnable Packaging option but only pay for sending your goods one way. So for example an automotive part made in US to be put on a vehicle assembled in Europe can be sent from US to European assembly plant only paying for this one way passage. Compared to other methods where there is a cost for the package to be sent internationally and an addition cost for the package to be returned.

With the movement towards international models shipping requirements differ across continents. The IsoBin has been designed to meet US, European and Asian footprints. This is standard for use around the world, increasing safety, durability and capacity.

I find it crazy that up until now plastic has not been standardised for ISO sea containers. As a result of the IsoBin being the first use of plastic in this way we have had to put the design through rigorous testing to comply with all the regulations, this resulted in our testing budget being tripled.

The IsoBin will go a long way to improving the costs and effectiveness for returnable packaging for the global automotive industry.