Handle with care

The growing incidences of freight claims relating to damaged goods is a significant and very unwelcome expense for logistics companies. With the increase of online retailing, this is likely to increase further, costing companies dearly in terms of lost profits as well as a loss of reputation.  

Whether handling high cost items or relatively inexpensive ones, by the time they are palletised ready for shipment, the load takes on a significantly higher value. All too often, however, secondary and transit packaging is overlooked or viewed simply as a necessary evil.

But, if this load becomes damaged or ‘shifts’ during transit, the whole pallet can be rejected, with costly repercussions for the logistics company. This is especially the case with the increased use of highly automated and sophisticated warehousing systems where even the slightest movement of a pallet can be detected, resulting in rejection of the entire load. Therefore, when you consider what savings can be made by avoiding unnecessary freight damage claims and the cost of pallet rejections, it is well worth taking the time to get it right.

The key to achieving safe and secure delivery of goods is to first undertake a complete audit and review of all aspects of your warehousing and packaging processes to examine the overall efficiency of the operation as a whole. By taking this approach, and working alongside your packaging solutions provider, their expert consultants can identify areas that can be changed to optimise efficiencies and deliver significant cost savings. This might include the introduction of technically improved packaging consumables or investment in more automation or the latest technologies, the cost of which can often be self-funding based on the savings they introduce.

Take, for example, the introduction of FiberFilm, our new reinforced cast stretch wrapping film. This high efficiency film acquires its increased strength and performance through the integration of polyethylene banding running lengthwise, which increases strength and performance. FiberFilm is much thinner than standard heavy duty films, but can stretch up to three times its normal length, offering improved and consistent load integrity and potential material cost savings in excess of 40%.

This advanced stretch film is proving particularly beneficial to customers in the drinks sector, where liquid is inherently unstable and therefore one of the most challenging items to transport. Not only has the introduction of FiberFilm increased the integrity and security of their containments, it has also delivered significantly in terms of cost savings as well as having a positive impact on the company’s carbon footprint.

Choosing the right products to optimise protection in transit at the right price is of course an essential element of running a successful logistics operation, where the fixation and cushioning of the goods in a stable container being the first step. The container, which should ideally be sized to fit the pallet, should allow sufficient room for the best void-fill solution to pack around and protect the product when containerised. And, with a huge range of void-fill products to choose from ranging from crumpled paper, polystyrene, foam cut outs or air-filled plastics, your packaging partner should be best placed to advise on the best one to suit your requirements.

Further cost savings in terms of preventing damaged goods claims or load rejections can also be achieved by automating previously manual tasks. The efficiency of automatic or semi-automatic wrapping systems offer the lowest cost of wrapping loads while providing maximum load integrity. This combined with the fact that these systems can also extend the yield of the wrapping film by up to three times presents another cost saving, especially for higher volume users.

Advances in technology and packaging equipment has given warehousing operators the opportunity to maximise efficiencies and improve load integrity while also minimising costs and wastage. However it’s fair to say that with so much advancement in new products and packaging solutions, it can present a confused picture when it comes to choosing the right solutions. But by taking a wider and longer term perspective on the whole logistics supply chain, simple changes that can be introduced to secure and protect your shipments, can ultimately safeguard a lot more than just the products. It will safeguard your company’s reputation, its brand and its future business.