Automotive Logistics, Europe Conference - is the automotive industry actually going to look at cube utilisation?

With the Automotive Logistics Europe Conference in Bonn taking place in March, cube utilisation in the automotive supply chain is bound to be a topic discussed again - why is the industry doing so little about this?

Over a number of years cube utilisation is something that has been covered by conference after conference across the globe yet it appears that nobody within the automotive industry has bothered to look further into cube utilisation or act upon the information that is discussed at these conferences.

In the overview of the conference taking place from 15th - 17th March there needs to be a number of goals outlined -

●     reduced handling

●     less labour

●     fewer delivery delays

●     no damage

Firstly, why isn’t cube utilisation on this list of goals? Secondly, if those who work in the sector take a closer look at the returnable packaging options that are currently available on the market they could have already made significant improvements towards achieving some of these goals - cube utilisation being one of them.

I am looking forward to the discussion in Session 3 on Wednesday afternoon called Feeding the Line as ‘What is the role of packaging in part protection and cube utilisation?’ will be up for discussion. I am keen to hear about people’s thoughts on this but, more importantly, why there appears to be little activity to address cube utilisation. I would like to stress that this is an issue throughout the global supply chain, not solely in Europe.

By paying more attention to cube utilisation throughout the whole supply chain and acting upon this information, the industry would be able to drive down costs and significantly improve efficiencies. By the whole supply chain I mean inbound journeys to manufacturing plants, return journeys, continental and global trips as well as transporting spare parts.

The IsoBin from Macro Plastics cubes out at ISO Container to 97.2% of floor space and can be stacked three high when carrying components. Without looking at the how the IsoBin can help you to achieve the goals set out above, you can significantly reduce the space you require in transportation. The simple fact that reduced space means reduced cost, which goes straight to the bottom line, this should be enough for the automotive supply chain to do something about cube utilisation.

One OEM has saved $1 million by integrating the IsoBin throughout their global supply chain by improving the cube utilisation of the ISO Containers. These savings have been made on 3 parts on Northern to Southern hemisphere trips and the opposite way as well travelling from East to West and back across the Atlantic. This proves the potential impact of one solution on a global supply chain.

It is so important for top Automotive Supply Chain decision makers to understand what services are about and how Returnable Packaging now works on a Global scale.

Top 10 Tips to improve your Supply Chain for 2016

Having worked in the returnable packaging industry for over 30 years , I have come across a number of challenges that face the global supply chain across a number of industries. In recent years these challenges have both increased and intensified.

Here are 10 key areas that I believe need to be addressed in order to ensure that a supply chain is performing for your business.

Space Utilisation - in a global supply chain space = money. Making the best use of space in containers is essential to increase value for money whilst reducing costs at the same time. Packing as many units into a container increases value for money and reduces the amount of containers required. Increased space utilisation has always been an area that the supply chain has strived to improve, this has increased in importance as supply chains are now on a global scale and more items are required in more locations at a higher frequency than ever before.

Reducing damages & higher quality standards - the need to reduce the cost of damages to parts during transit in the automotive industry is paramount. The margin for error is now virtually nil. Achieving this target is down to the quality of your packaging. Expendable packaging is commonly used through the supply chain which is not the sturdiest of materials especially when transporting heavy parts in a Global Supply chain. This type of packaging is susceptible to collapse when exposed to moisture. Container rain is a common issue with cardboard collapsing when being transported across a number of continents with varying climates resulting in damaged goods. Damages are both a monetary and time cost. Solid returnable packaging delivers on all of the quality requirements, therefore helping to reduce costs.

Reducing operating costs - as supply chains become ever more complex and increase in size, keeping a lid on the costs of a global footprint is key. Increasing overall efficiency and sustainability are top of agenda. Reducing the reliance on expendable packaging can help to make a huge step towards reducing costs, expendable packaging has been used for decades but now it is increasing becoming less viable. Looking towards other alternatives is now a necessity - returnable packaging is a cheaper more viable option that provides sustainability over a number years on a global scale. Reducing the costs in a supply chain can have a direct effect on your bottom line, so with returnables available on a Global “one trip” rental basis, through poolers, then target costs can be met.

Safety standards - health and safety is now a huge part of the working life and improving safety standards in the supply chain is constant. Containers and packaging now play a role in helping to improving health and safety. Earlier in this post I mentioned the risks of using expendable packaging; if stacks are collapsing or weakening during transit this presents a significant risk when they are being moved and unloaded. Returnable containers are designed with interlocking feet and rounded edges, ensuring they can be stacked safely when in use and reduce the risk of catching on clothing or people.

Increasing awareness of pooling companies - investing time into looking at the benefits of using a pooling company is something I would advise all businesses to do. I have seen how partnering with a pooling company can help to reduce costs, improve efficiency and transform the performance of a supply chain but I find that a lot people in the industry have ignored poolers so far and simply don’t realise how they can help you. With the pressures of a global supply chain, renting containers from a pooling company and employing their services to transport your goods across the world solves a lot of headaches especially when it comes to costs and responsibilities.

Need for standardisation -There is a huge need for standardisation in the global supply chain as I have mentioned several times already and I am going to bring it up again. Moving to a global standard footprint especially in the automotive supply chain would make everyone’s life more easier. Agreeing on a global standard for returnable packaging will remove all of the problems that OEM’s and tier suppliers currently face when moving components across several continents and countries. One packing size and shape may be ideal for being transported around Europe but may not be the most viable option once it reaches other continents. If there is a standardisation, value for money increases, larger quantities of goods can be transported quicker and it improves the overall supply chain.

Space Utilisation (Storage) - As we see more parts/ components being required in multiple locations at a higher frequency means that storage and space is now more important than previous years. Tailoring your supply chain to improve performance at every stage even includes warehouse storage - saving space means saving money whilst at the same time improving safety. Using containers that can be safely stacked at height can save a considerable amount of floor space, allowing your to store more components at any one time. Also storage when not in use is a consideration that needs to be factored in - solutions that nest neatly and safely helps to reduce risks and costs again.

Reduce handling - within the automotive industry reducing the amount of times that the people come into contact with parts is an ever present target. This helps to again reduce operating costs which have a direct impact on the bottom line, reduces the risk of damages and makes the process a lot smoother. In an ideal world, OEM’s would like a part to be placed into a container and not touched again until it reaches the assembly line. In order to achieve this target, a standardised container is essential due to the global footprint which complies with the requirements in order to be allowed to go line side. Expendable materials cannot do this; the attention then turns to plastic returnable packaging.

Part protection - using fabric dunnage within your returnable packaging solutions helps to maximise the pack out of the container, but more importantly protect the contents. As I have mentioned above, parts and components are being shipped in larger quantities across larger geographies therefore there is risk of damage. Using fabric dunnage specifically made to order, ensures that the contents of the returnable packaging solutions arrive at the line side in the desired quality. This helps to reduce replacement costs and reduce hold up time spent in the assembly process.

Keeping up-to-date with returnable options - returnable packaging is an area which is constantly changing with the rapid developments in design and manufacturing innovation. In the automotive manufacturing and supply chain industry it is surprising the amount of people are unaware of the different types of returnable packaging and the benefits. Therefore, my final tip for people in the automotive industry is to keep up-to-date with developments to the returnable packaging options on the market as you may be missing a big opportunity to make savings to your bottom line and drive up the performance of your global supply chain. It is important to seek the correct advice from the right people and when consulting from a Packaging Supplier this can be biased towards their products - ALWAYS seek an independent consultant

What do you want Returnable Packaging to do for you? – Packaging Discussion, Auto Supply Chain Congress, Liverpool.

During the Auto Supply Chain congress in Liverpool, I will be chairing a discussion on packaging and what the automotive industry wants it to do in the global supply chain. I am keen to know what the industry is currently using to package their components, the issues they have with the materials they are using and most importantly, their plans for the future.

I want to understand the industries thoughts on those areas because packaging’s role is growing in importance within the global supply chain and overall manufacturing process in the automotive industry.

Logical planning and implementation of packaging solutions can help deal with the pressures of the overall manufacturing process from tier suppliers, OEMs and the 4PL’s through to the manufacturer.

So think about this – are your materials delivering value for money and, secondly, are they sustainable enough to cope with the increasing demands related to time frames and quality?

With increasing demand on a global scale, packaging is required to be robust, agile and cost effective. Are your packaging solutions meeting these expectations?

Plastic returnable packaging is one solution that caters for all of the demands of the automotive industry, driving down costs and improving efficiencies in the global supply chain. Plastic is increasingly becoming the material of choice for the automotive industry when looking to improve their packaging, the main reason behind this is the fact it can produce the results manufacturers require time and again.

Moving to returnable packaging offers a variety of options and benefits compared to expendables such as wood and cardboard. Plastic returnable packaging helps to streamline the handling process from tier supplier to plant reducing both costs and timescales.

You can mould the returnable packaging solution to suit your requirements by using pooling companies which also helps to reduce the costs of packaging. Using pooling companies in a global supply chain improves efficiencies without the need for capital investment as you only pay for the outbound trip. When using a pooler there is no charge for the return journey as the company uses it for another customer in the same area. There is no ROI as there is no investment in the first place when using pooling companies.

I have been surprised at the lack of knowledge of pooling companies offering returnable solutions in the automotive industry. Even more surprised to hear that some in the industry aren’t even aware of the viable options now available.

The packaging discussion at the Auto Supply Chain Congress is all about hearing your ideas and thoughts on what you want your supply chain to do for you. 

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. 

The Taxi Journey

Within the Global Automotive supply chain and packaging industry, I have been surprised at the lack of knowledge and awareness of the role returnable packaging can play in these ever increasing and sometimes complex supply chains.

Everyone is concerned about cost savings wherever possible and squeezing all areas in order to reduce the money spent throughout the manufacturing and supply process. Then the second train of thought is how to cope with the growing demand across the globe to ensure they keep up with the demand of sales and deadlines. 

Yet there is a lack of awareness at the one solution that can help the automotive conquer both of these tasks, ‘one trip returnable packaging’ however when I speak to supply chain professionals there is a great number that don't grasp this idea.

I describe the concept of ‘one trip returnable packaging’ as simply a taxi service. One trip returnable packaging is the taxi service for the global supply chain. The Taxi is the packaging.

You call a taxi when you require it. The taxi arrives  you get in, or in this case the Component parts, the taxi proceeds on the journey dropping you, or in this case the component parts at the location. You pay the taxi driver the fare for the journey. Then the taxi moves onto the next job.

The plastic/steel returnable totes play the role of the taxi which are requested by the tier supplier to transport parts to the automotive manufacturer. The owner of the taxi is the pooling company, 4PL or OEM/Tier.

As a taxi takes you to the door of your location, returnable packaging can be taken directly to the assembly line. It does not require the handling processes associated with expendable packaging which could be likened to being dropped at the end of your street as opposed to outside your door. 

The client then pays for the journey that the parts have travelled. Then the returnable totes can then be used by someone else in a similar location. 

Therefore, the costs compared to expendable packaging are significantly reduced as there are no unpacking and repacking processes required as well as disposing of cardboard and wood from the expendable packaging.

Let’s discuss this in Bonn at the Automotive Logistics Conference.

Looking to save time and money in your supply chain? Returnable packaging can help you address that objective.

Global returnable packaging strips out the unnecessary packaging and handling processes. One solution fits all when you are looking to save money and time at the same time as improving the quality of your products.

At the Automotive Logistics Europe conference in March I will be interested to hear the industry’s thoughts on how they are looking to improve efficiencies and reduce costs in their global supply chain.

The automotive industry need to look at the opportunities “one trip” returnable packaging can offer them in a global market, especially when OEM’s and tier suppliers are exporting parts at an accelerating pace. An increasing number of parts are required in a growing number of manufacturing plants across the globe in larger quantities and more frequently.

Then the question arises, can your current handling processes handle these demands? Do you have the capacity to facilitate the demands? And lastly, have you considered the increased costings that are attached?

Using cardboard and wood is currently the norm and has been for many years and because of this the supply chain is ignoring all of the costs of one trip packaging. Currently OEM’s are employing 4 LPs and specialist repack companies to receive in component parts in wood and cardboard.

The classic hidden costs that are ignored by the supply chain are purchasing, procurement and making up of cardboard boxes, wood, dunnage and strapping.

Do you know what your damage costs are from one trip packaging in your global supply chain?

Returnable packaging allows the parts to go straight into the plant and to the line side. This is compared to cardboard packaging which has to be unpacked and then repacked at a handling centre near to the plant before being transported to the assembly line. Then there are the attached costs of disposing of the cardboard and plastic.

OEM’s – how much do you pay your repack company to unpack from one trip and then pack again into returnable packaging? And, by the way, what are your disposal costs?

These processes are unnecessary with the evolution of plastic returnable and will eventually become defunct. At a time when the automotive industry is looking to reduce costs and looking to 5 to 10 years ahead in improving their manufacturing and supply chain methods.

Look out for my next blog when I explain what the taxi service is. 

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. 

“The Bin of the future” - Dubois Agrinovation

From harvest, handling and storage in the field, warehouse and factory, the Macro Bin is exactly what Dubois Agrinovation have been looking for.

Dubois Agrinovation calls it “the bin of the future” because “quality products require quality containers”.  The bins are made of high resistant injection moulded plastic, meets all the modern requirements of food product handling.

1.       Food product handling

2.       Food quality preservation

3.       Environmental health

4.       Ease of handling

5.       Durability / impact resistance

6.       Work safety

The Macro Bin preserves quality during and after harvest which is something wood could offer but only to a certain standard. The quality requirements by customers and consumers of fresh produce are on a continuous rise, wooden bins can no longer fulfil these requirements.

A key point to make is that the top lip and corners are round which reduces bruising and damage to the produce compared to wood. With ventilation slots on 4 sides and base, cooling becomes more efficient with constant air flow and products will remain fresher longer.

It is easier to create more uniform stacks leaving gaps between each stack which increases air flow during storage helping to maintain an even temperature in all bins.

The cleaning process is a lot easier than wooden bins, disinfection is also made a lot simpler as the plastic is non-porous which is FDA approved. No chemicals or water are absorbed ensuring no organisms or pathogens can be carried like wood which reduces the risk of contamination of the produce.

The Hybrid Bin is coming to Interpoma, Bolzano – The capital of Apples in Europe

Next week I will be exhibiting the Hybrid Bin from MacroPlastics at the Interpoma trade show in Bolzano, Italy.

Where better to exhibit and demonstrate this market leading packaging solution than in Europe’s largest apple growing region.

The Hybrid Bin is a perfect fit for Interpoma, a revolutionary product improving the efficiency of the transportation of apples. The aim of the show is to act as a forum for the latest trends and products; the Hybrid Bin is where the fresh produce is going.

The Hybrid Bin is the first of its kind, merging plastic and wood for the first time to bring the logistics of fresh produce into the 21^st century.

The freshness and taste are the two fundamentals when consumers are purchasing fresh produce. Therefore, handling and packaging are integral to maintaining the quality of apples.

I will be exhibiting the Hybrid Bin at the Interpoma trade show in Bologna from the 20^th -22nd November. This is a perfect opportunity for the apple growers in the region to see the Hybrid Bin first hand, giving you a clear idea of how this product can perform for your business.

Had enough of the old wooden bins and cardboard? Are they no     longer suitable for your needs?

The perforations on all sides of the bin reduce the cooling time considerably quicker than those that are in wooden and cardboard bins. The reason behind this is to maintain consistent air flow through the apples during the storage process; this aids the quality and shelf life of the apples. With increased attention being paid to hygiene standards, using plastic makes it easier to clean and maintain therefore reducing contamination compared to cardboard which absorbs moisture.

Removing cardboard or wood from your packaging process allows you to reduce your costs through a longer life cycle and reduced waste of a plastic alternative. The Hybrid Bin has an increased pack out which is another financial gain in terms of transport costs. The Hybrid Bin can be safely nested into stacks and removed from the wooden frames, reducing space and costs on the return journey back to the grower.

The Hybrid Bin is the first of its kind on the packaging market and has been designed with the fresh produce growers’ needs at the forefront of the process. 

I look forward to attending Interpoma this week and meeting the fresh produce growers in Bolzano and being able to showcase a product that can transform their packaging and logistics of their goods.

Keep Up With the Fresh Produce Industry

An industry as competitive as the fresh produce market requires innovative solutions to feed the requirements that growth demands.

I will be exhibiting the HybridBin, the latest product to come out of Macro Plastics, at the Fruit Attraction trade show from 15^th -17^th October in Madrid. Macro Plastics have delivered the most innovative packaging solution to be seen on the fresh produce market, with combination of plastic moulded bins and wooden frames.

The Fruit Attraction trade show is the perfect venue to showcase the HybridBin. The fruit and vegetable market in Europe is the ideal location for the HybridBin to be put to use and experience the results it can provide for growers that wooden crates can’t.

With demand continuously increasing the need to move large quantities and reduce timescales are two of the important requirements of fresh produce buyers. Two requirements that are beyond wood. Two requirements that the HybridBin can deliver on.

The Macro Plastics stand will be in Hall 3 on Stand 3F05C, I will be at the trade show for the duration from 15^th – 17^th October. If you would like more information on the HybridBin come along to the stand I can explain to you exactly what the bin can do for your supply chain.

Having visited Eurasia Packaging in Istanbul, Macfruit in Italy and the London fresh produce shows the HYBRID is unique in its design and concept and there is nothing to touch it for value and innovation. Probably the only really new Returnable packing product you will see at Fruit Attraction.

Transportation & Storage of the Hybrid Bin

In our previous blogs on the Hybrid Bin we have looked at the benefits to the quality of the fresh produce.

The benefits that the Hybrid Bin delivers to the logistics and transportation of fresh produce as well as the storage are revolutionary to the market. The design process not only focused on the fresh produce but also the handling and usage of the returnable packaging solution.

Shipping and transportation costs are on the increase and there is a great need to reduce costs where possible and drive value for money.

The Hybrid Bin is the first product in the world to combine wood and plastic bins that can be safely nested on the return journey therefore reducing the space required. This method reduces the delivery costs, providing the cheapest plastic returnable compared to what is currently available on the market.

The interlocking design has improved the safety element when stacking with fresh produce in. The bins can be securely stacked ten bins high, ensuring the contents is safe with a bruise buffer and reducing the risk of toppling over and causing injury. With health and safety being a hot topic it has to be a fundamental area of the product.

The secure stack and nesting improvements in comparison to products already on the market are also focused on when the Hybrid Bin is not in use. Secure stacking allows growers to have higher stacks therefore reducing space required for storage. They are less susceptible to be damaged by the wintery conditions or blown over.  

The Cost Down Alternative to Wood in the Fresh Produce Industry

Driving down costs at any point during the supply chain will draw attention. This is where the Hybrid Bin enters the frame in the fresh produce industry.

Wood has been the main material used in the transportation of fresh produce for decades and because it has been used for so long there has been little thought about alternative materials.

The nature of market pressures and evolution is now forcing the fresh produce industry to look into alternatives. The main market pressures are cost and achieving value for money, in order to comply with these areas new materials are the only way forward. Plastic is the only sensible option in choosing a new material.

Using the Hybrid Bin as returnable packaging for your fresh produce is the most economical way of replacing wooden bins. The Hybrid Bin is more environmentally friendly, hygienic and easier to wash than wooden bins. This is coupled with the Hybrid Bin being more durable and having a longer lifespan than current wooden bins which automatically reduces the overall cost for growers.

The pack out of the Hybrid Bin compared to the current wooden bins is a marked improvement, increasing value for money in comparison to wood and then, in the long run, reduced costs as you will require less bins. The reduction on cost is considerable and the availability to nest in transport.

All aspects of the Hybrid Bin point to financial improvements over the existing wooden bins.

Don’t take all of this as gospel, come and experience the financial efficiencies for yourself. I can arrange the opportunity of a FREE trial of the bins to see first-hand and compare to your existing bulk packaging. 

Why are Fresh Produce Growers still using Wooden Bins?

Macro Plastics’ Hybrid Bin is the perfect packaging solution for the fresh produce industry at every stage from harvesting, storage to shipping. Plastic has to be the material of choice for the produce industry as it ensures the quality of its contents from field to supermarket.

Wood is no longer a viable option for the fresh produce industry due to increased risk of contamination and required hygiene standards. Therefore, plastic is the only solution with the Hybrid Bin being the first on the market.

The Hybrid Bin uses both plastic and wood together to create the most cost effective and efficient returnable bulk bin of its kind. The plastic bins sit inside wooden frames that the growers are able to make from their existing wooden bins. This reduces waste as the old materials are not just thrown away, reducing the cost of moving to the new plastic alternative.

The reluctance to use plastic has always been down to the increased costs over using wood. Now with the blend of both, the Hybrid Bin is able to offer fresh produce growers all the benefits of plastic at an affordable cost. The Hybrid Bin answers all of the issues that wood and cardboard have never been able to do.

Reducing damage is one of the pertinent issues for growers, driving down the cost of damages to their produce has a direct effect on their bottom line. Wood has been one of the main materials used to ship fresh produce but is susceptible to splinters and contamination. Macro Plastics’ Hybrid Bin offers a strong alternative.

The Hybrid Bin with its smooth edges is able to increase the pack out reducing the risk of bruising and damage compared to using wooden bins. The Hybrid Bin is perforated therefore keeping the contents fresh and is able to cool the produce effectively.

When being returned the bins are nested inside each other and the wooden frames can be placed inside ready for the grower to use again in the field.  These features are considerable financial improvements over the basic wooden bins.

When not in use over the Winter months, the growers can nest them in straight stacks. This reduces both the storage space required and damages from being blown over in wintery conditions, something that cannot be said for the current wooden bins.

The Hybrid Bin is now being used in the US as a direct replacement to wooden bins which are no longer viable. They have been designed in response to fresh produce grower’s demand for a cost-effective solution.

This is the answer to European growers packaging problems.

And it is available on a FREE trial.

We invite you to trial the Hybrid Bin in your own environment and experience all of the benefits for yourself. 

Take a Closer Look at Returnable Packaging

So how robust do you believe your supply chain is and how are you looking to manage and increase your capacity in the growing global market?

I will be taking part in a panel discussion on the capacity and robustness of supply chains at the Automotive Supply Chain Congress in Liverpool.

Over the next two days the executives from the leading automotive manufacturers will be attending the annual conference to discuss where their supply chain is heading and how they can keep up the growing market, returnablepackaging being one key area of interest.

On the panel there will be Jonathan DiMambo from Bentley Motors, Richard Horswill from Stena Freight, Cengiz Kabatepe of Ford Otosan, Timothy Nickel of Surgere, Mike Silvio from Cooper Standard Automotive and Stewart Robertson from DHL.

With today’s demand and capacity restraints due to fast and accelerated movements through the supply chain no one has time to waste with waste.

The procurement of one trip packaging and disposal is completely unnecessary when the offer of hiring/ renting quality returnable solutions on a one trip basis is available regionally and globally.

The automotive industry is surprisingly unaware of the opportunities that returnable packaging presents to their supply chain. The amount of options that are now available to OEM’s and tier suppliers are endless.

Development of the returnable packaging market and the emergence of new companies now provide OEM’s and tier suppliers with solutions that they could only dream of previously.

Returnable packaging solutions can help solve your issues around capacity and robustness in order to improve the performance of your supply chain. This one simple change can transform your whole supply chain.

Intercontinental supply chains have grown significantly and will grow even further in the future, the need for more components required in more locations and more often is rocketing. Bringing costs down and improving capacity utilisation is integral, returnable packaging using plastic improves cubed utilisation allowing you to ship larger quantities for lower costs.

With the speed of supply chains growing and quality standards going in the same direction there is little room for error, plastic returnable solutions are built to ensure quality and reduce damages.

Reducing damages and ensuring the quality of components is high on the agenda, using returnable packaging solutions can reduce these risks associated with the expendable packaging such as cardboard. By reducing the risk of damaged goods this in turn reduces the costs and aids the speed of the supply chain.

With the progress that has been made by the returnable packaging industry it is now easier than ever to justify the shift to using these new methods as opposed to using old and inefficient packaging solutions.

Now, the automotive industry has all of their needs catered for in terms of packaging. All they need to do is try returnable packaging for themselves to experience the benefits first hand.

London Produce Show – Where is the fresh produce market going?

Everyone from the growers, the retailers, and the catering industry through to the consumer all want one thing when it comes to produce – freshness. The importance of freshness and the quality of fruit and vegetables is at its highest level and looks set to grow, this is the challenge for the fresh produce market.

In order to deliver the freshest produce supermarkets and fresh produce retailers are looking to reduce the contact points of their goods from the grower to the shelf to one touch. This is where shelf ready packaging is now in high demand and to maintain the freshness and increase the shelf life it is imperative to reduce the supply chain timings. The handling of fresh produce only once before the end consumer buys it is vital. The responsibility of the grower to also be the processor and packer into shelf ready bins / totes is a must. With the correct packaging at the correct prices this is now manageable and available.

Using plastic as opposed to cardboard cools the produce 60% quicker and protects the contents throughout the supply chain which reduces damage. Handling is also reduced as the 2^nd handling process in the country of destination is cut out.

Improving the freshness and quality through speeding up the supply chain adds to the shelf life of the produce and this in turn dramatically reduces the retailer’s waste costs.

When it comes to looking at alternatives in anything to do with business often there tends to be areas that are left behind.  There are now returnable packaging options available that meet all of those above requirements to the highest possible standards leaving no stone unturned, and at the competitive pricing as a result of one trip.

The plastic 5-FV tote and 330 Shuttle Bin are designed for ease of use for the grower to place their produce in and to ship them effectively, hygienically and reducing damage that can then be placed straight onto supermarket shop floors.

 Both of these products are available as one trip options which is the beauty of plastic. The fresh produce industry has commonly used expendable packaging, the collapsible tote and bin are a returnable alternative that reduces packaging costs and improves return on investment.

The tote then complies with the usual requirements of a packaging solution. The reinforced corner edge allows them to be stacked confidently 10 high per pallet, this is opposed to cardboard that is commonly used and is susceptible to collapse due to moisture.

I look forward to visiting the London Produce Show to understand what the market is after and to show them how I can help them improve the performance of their supply chain by delivering top quality produce. 

One trip returnables – why don’t you just have a go?

The one thing that strikes me about the automotive supplychain is the reluctance to try something new for the first time.

There is a lot of talk around where logistics and the supply chain will move with technology and how savings are made. This was a topic of discussion at the Automotive Logistics Conference in Bonn last week, looking to what lies ahead and how they can improve.

It is all well and good talking about it but it is actions that will help the industry realise how they need to move forward in an expanding market.

This is where I encourage the automotive tier suppliers and OEMs to look at where they would like to go with returnable packaging and commit to doing a free trial.

A lot of people are put off when looking to make the shift from expendable to returnable solutions. There is the impression that you have to make your decision and stick to it. Stop using expendable one day and begin using returnable’s the next. This is far from the truth as you trial new returnable methods alongside the existing ones to give you a real flavour of the benefits of using returnable packaging.

One trip solutions are a great benefit of using returnable packaging. Irrespective of where you require your products all you have to do is rent the packaging, it is delivered to your desired destination and you don’t have to worry about the return journey. Then pooling companies arrange for the containers to be picked up after you have finished with them helping to reduce packaging costs. How easy it that?

All that is asked of the automotive industry who are looking to make the switch from expendable to returnable is to look into a free trial now so that you can experience the benefits first hand.

I encourage anyone who is looking into this or have any questions in how I can help to improve your supply chain to talk to me.

Communication is key, if I am where of your problems at the outset I can help you resolve them quicker, saving you time and money.

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.