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!

What will come out of the Automotive Logistics Bonn March 2014?

The purpose of the Automotive Logistics conference this year is to gauge where the automotive logistics industry has improved over the last year and to discuss where the industry is going in the next few years and beyond.

This will be the 12^th annual European conference held by Automotive Logistics Magazine and, like I mentioned above, it will be the same thing in terms of discussing the past, present and future. The obvious differentiation will be the content of the discussions.

After a difficult few years through the economic downturn the conference next week should be packed with exciting news and developments as the signs of growth appear to be flourishing.

During the downturn there have many cost down opportunities that have missed by tier suppliers and OEM’s , this appears to be down to being afraid to decisions. When it comes to returnable packaging solutions, a quick decision sanctioning a trial can prove to be effective in addressing issues you may have with your supply chain.

I would like to encourage better communication from tier suppliers and OEMs, if you have a problem then it is better to solve it now rather than later. This coming week at the conference there will be 350 people from the industry that all have problems and issues. It is a confidential event, so I would encourage people to communicate and then we can get on helping you.

“Exploration of Value” – logistics and the creation of a supply chain have always had value as a top priority. But now the issue has increased in importance due to other elements.

During economic difficulties when car sales plummeted the need to reduce costs was paramount to keep everything ticking over. Now there have been signs that an economic recovery could be in the pipeline, the need to keep those logistical costs down remains high. This looks set to continue as the automotive manufacturers will aim to recoup revenue to plug holes from poor economic performances over the last few years.

On the flipside, there has been an upturn in sales and production with manufacturers aiming to increase their margins, to capitalise on increased revenues and to prepare for what the future may bring.

Then there is the expansion of the global market. Investment in more models, investment in increased production and investment in new plants globally.

This all equates to large quantities of components and parts being required more often and in more locations. All of this heightens the competition and need to invest in logistics and supply chain solutions that provide maximum value for money.

All of these areas are then compounded by the increased expectations of quality by the customer.

Automotive Manufacturers – how are you looking to improve the performance of your supply chain and fulfil all expectations?

These are issues that need addressing at the present time but they will continue for the foreseeable future.

With all of these factors taken into consideration – Now there is No Reason to say No to Returnable Packaging.

All of the various elements of the issues facing the automotive industry and the supply chain can be catered for by using ReturnablePackaging.

I look forward to the discussions that the conference will bring up and delving into why all automotive manufacturers should shift to returnable packaging in order to enhance their business.  

Is Expendable Packaging too expensive?

In a recent article that I was quoted in Duncan Murcott, IPS Lando, claimed that expendable packaging is more than being a cheap solution which is a widely circulated point within the industry.

Duncan states in the article that the benefits include maximising cubic utilisation, minimising damage, minimising re-packing, choosing the right material then reducing production and handling costs.

There are other products on the market that do this, if not better. Ensuring that you are aware of all the information is key.

All of these benefits and efficiency improvements are delivered by the range of Macro Plastics’ products. They deliver on all of those mentioned above to their fullest potential making them a sensible returnable packaging solution.

In the article it states that Macro Plastics provide one-waytrip solutions. We supply the pooling and logistics companies who then offer one-way journeys. This is an additional reduction to the overall cost as the returnable packaging doesn’t require a returned cost.

Expendable packaging is not in line with the industry’s vision towards lean and low-cost. Cardboard does not only add handling procedures inbound as it cannot go straight to the assembly line. It incurs an additional cost & procedure as it is an extra outbound component when it is disposed.

Cardboard cannot go to line side as it creates dust and an unclean environment with the cars powertrain and electronics. So if you ship in expendable you have to ship via a transition warehouse who will unpack the parts from cardboard and into plastic before they go to the assembly line........so no 1TA (one touch assemble) as the parts are being handled twice and risk of damage. One touch assembly helps to reduce the risk associated with safety standards which is an important area. 

Yes, it is all in the design. Designing a product that reduces the carbon footprint, improves quality and efficiency, and reduces costs and the product can be used again. This comes in the form of ReturnablePackaging.

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.

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.