Customized packaging appeared as a natural response to the demands of various industries for something special. Some businesses need to ship very delicate products. Others manufacture heavy and bulky machines and components. In other cases, the physical size of the product, though not particularly large, does not fit any type of standard container, box or shipping tote.
The First Solution: Larger Packaging Materials
If one size won’t fit, let’s go one size larger. Many companies resorted to this solution and found out soon enough that it is not a good one. Inside the larger containers, the products would wobble, hit the walls and become damaged.
To solve this problem, distributors and manufacturers demanded protective accessories to place between the products and keep them safe. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) was seen as a quick fix to the problem. Now the product could not wobble anymore and the shipment was safe.
This Type of Safety Came with a Price
The price, of course, is represented by larger shipment fees. The larger and heavier the containers are, the more will charge a shipping company. This state of facts was acceptable for a while – until the economic crisis hit the planet. All companies had to find ways to cut their costs and maintain their profits or face extinction.
Cutting costs became the mantra of sales and logistics managers across the world and many solutions were tried – with more or less success. For companies like Logistic Packaging the challenge was to help their clients cut costs in a way that does not compromise the safe delivery of their products.
This is how many types of customized packaging were invented, and continue to be invented. Here are some thoughts on how these specially designed and manufactured packaging materials help businesses save shipping costs.
1. The First Step: Assess the Specific Packaging Requirements for the Products
The packaging specialists at Logistic Packaging have helped many customers with the most difficult and atypical projects. From valuable products that need extra safety in transit, to delicate items that need maximum protection against dust, scratches and vibrations, our team has found a unique solution for every challenge.
This is why you must start by telling your packaging provider everything about the product: sensitivity, temperature tolerances, dimensions, what type of material they are made of, etc. This is the only way of getting the right packages for your products.
2. Replace EPS Accessories with Custom Made Returnable Foam Packaging
Foam packaging is not placed between products in a container. Instead, the products are placed within their unique cut-out shape within the foam material. This type of packaging is lightweight, occupies a minimum extra volume and keeps your products safe from any kind of physical shocks.
Foam packaging is returnable – meaning that you can reuse it for several shipments and save money on your packaging materials, as well.
3. Need Dividers? Opt for Customized Ones
At Logistic Packaging we understand the need to reduce the volume of your shipments by packing as many products as possible inside a container. In many cases, though, we noted that our customized packaging was used together with dividers procured from other sources. This false economy led to more losses: the ill fitting dividers damaged both the containers and the products inside them.
A custom made set of compartments takes into account the size of the container, the size of the product and the specific requirements for safe packaging. For instance, we use textile dunnage as dividers for sensitive product.
4. Opt for Double Safety with Thermoformed Trays
Thermoformed trays are rigid and shaped in the negative image of the product. This means that the product will not move inside the tray and it will also benefit from the extra protection of the rigid material of the tray.
These customized packaging materials are ideal for small parts – such as various tools and instruments placed in cases. The thermoformed trays are reusable and have a long useful life.
5. Better Is the Enemy of Good
Last but not least, remember that customized packaging materials are professionally designed and manufactured to fit your needs. You do not need to make them better by adding other accessories and extra packaging to them.
In doing so, you only revert to the issue you started with: large shipping fees for overly large and heavy packages.
At Logistic Packaging, we believe in professional solutions that solve your problems and fit your needs. Send us your special project by email or schedule a Skype video chat with one of our experts!