For many businesses, packaging is a secondary consideration - merely the box that protects the product being delivered to a customer. However, as most of us in this industry recognise, that simply isn’t the case. Not only does packaging have a considerable effect on the shopping experience, it also plays a vital role in improving supply chain efficiency.
This is increasingly paramount to businesses as they seek ways to lower their environmental impact, manage warehouse complexity and reduce costs to help them grow successfully and sustainably. Logistics and operations managers are constantly looking for new ways to make savings, from more efficient practices, to streamlined transportation, to better internal structures. We need to start convincing companies and clients that packaging should become a core part of this conversation. It doesn’t just protect the product, it’s a fundamental part of the supply chain too.
As an extension of the production line, packaging companies see it all, from logistics bottlenecks to poorly fitted boxes. Over the years, this has created a wealth of valuable information that can help other businesses. Our packaging experts have collected this data and analysed it so that we can help companies make a real difference to their businesses through packaging optimisation.
Our analysis of over 50,000 different supply chains has enabled us to create a process that we call SupplySmart. Using this, we have helped numerous customers to improve the efficiency of their production – and save a lot of money in the process.
Our work with Topro is a great example of the difference that innovative, logical changes to supply chains can make. The Norwegian mobility aids brand challenged us with creating a smart transport packaging solution that minimised logistics costs and environmental impact. They also wanted to improve production efficiency and automate their entire packaging process.
Together with Topro, we tackled these challenges head on. By defining the exact packaging criteria and functionality, we delivered a new packaging concept. This took the form of a tapered box solution, which allowed for better pallet fill and in turn reduced logistics costs by 40%. On top of that, their packing line is now 100% automated.
Working with brands like Topro, we’ve used our SupplySmart process to uncover actionable insights that can really transform their businesses – from reduction in stock keeping units to improved efficiency and significant cost savings. Fundamentally, we encourage all those involved with the packaging industry to recognise that injecting creativity and innovation into the supply chain can have very real business benefits. When this is grounded in extensive analysis and reliable data the effect can be even more impressive and we should encourage our customers to take note.
