Tag: automation

Your Guide to Optimised Cardboard Box Designs

Posted on by definitionconsulting

Optimised packaging plays a significant role in reducing waste, lowering costs, and improving supply chain efficiency. With updated EPR regulations fast approaching, businesses are actively refining their packaging to enhance product protection, minimise excess materials, and lower shipping expenses.

At Ribble Packaging, with over 80 years of packaging expertise, we’re here to guide you through key design considerations, optimisation strategies, and the many benefits of improving cardboard box designs.

Choosing the Right Cardboard Box Design

The first step in optimising your packaging is choosing the right box size and fit for your product. Oversized boxes not only increase material use but also lead to higher shipping costs. A well-fitted box ensures secure transit and reduces the need for additional void fill.

Box Style

Different products require different box styles. Some common options include:

  • 0201 Regular Slotted Case (RSC): Cost-effective and widely used, suitable for various industries
  • Die-Cut Boxes: Custom-designed to fit specific products, reducing movement and improving presentation
  • Crash-Lock Bases: Quick to assemble, enhancing packing speed and reducing labour costs

Product Considerations

When choosing your box design, consider factors like product type, shipping method, and whether you’re shipping to customers or B2B. For example, shipping directly to end customers may require more focus on presentation. Additionally, the nature of your product, whether heavy, fragile or requiring special storage conditions, will influence the structural integrity and material choice for your box.

Board Grade

To understand box strength, you must first understand the available board grades. The strength and sustainability of a box depend on its board grade:

  • Single-wall: Suitable for lightweight products and cost-effective solutions
  • Double-wall: Offers additional strength, ideal for heavier items

Get a full breakdown of board grades, including details on the different types of corrugated boards and how flutes affect strength and functionality.

How to Optimise Your Packaging

Board Material

Selecting the right board grade allows you to balance strength with cost-effectiveness. Lighter materials reduce expenses while still maintaining product protection. A popular choice is fanfold corrugated board.

Getting Your Box Adjusted with 3D Technology

Optimising your packaging design can also involve the use of 3D scanning technology. This allows you to scan the product and design packaging with precise dimensions, eliminating unnecessary waste. Through 3D technology, you can create custom-sized boxes on demand, reducing excess material use and lowering shipping expenses by ensuring a perfect fit every time.

These designs can also be integrated with Panotec Automation, to create custom boxes on demand, streamlining the process and reducing manual labour. By setting the box dimensions, you can instantly produce custom boxes without waiting for long lead times, improving efficiency across the supply chain.

 

Why Change My Current Box Designs?

Making the shift to optimised packaging might feel like a big step, but the benefits far outweigh the effort. If you’re still using outdated box designs, you’re likely overpaying for material costs, wasting space, and even damaging your products during transit. Optimising your packaging doesn’t just save money; it also contributes to a greener and more sustainable supply chain.

 

How Ribble’s Design and Estimating Team Can Help

Many businesses we’ve worked with have already improved their packaging process by reviewing their board grades and product styles, as well as using Panotec’s cutting-edge 3D imaging technology.

The results speak for themselves:

  • Up to 30% reduction in overall packaging costs
  • 25% improvement in vehicle utilisation
  • More efficient use of warehouse space
  • Environmentally sustainable packaging process

Whether you need better product protection, cost savings or sustainable packaging solutions, Ribble provides expert guidance to ensure your packaging meets its intended purpose.

Talk to us about your packaging design at Ribble Packaging or call 0161 284 9000.

Your Questions Answered: Insights on Packaging Automation

Posted on by definitionconsulting

Packaging automation is revolutionising how businesses operate, offering unparalleled efficiency, cost savings, and sustainability. We are often asked about packaging automation, how does it work? Does it live up to the hype? What options are there? Etc. So we thought we would compile a list of the most common questions asked and answer them here. Read on to understand how this technology can transform your operations:

 

 1. In what ways can packaging be automated?

Automation can be implemented across various stages of the packaging process, it can be anything from box forming to labelling or palletising. Offering a wide range of solutions to optimise efficiency.

 

2. What are the key benefits?

Packaging automation offers a multitude of benefits that can significantly enhance a company’s operations and bottom line. It boosts productivity by streamlining processes and accelerating production times.

It leads to a notable reduction in costs, as automation minimises expenses associated with manual labour, material waste, and resource inefficiencies. What’s more, automation systems offer unparalleled flexibility, allowing companies to seamlessly upscale their operations to meet growing demands without major disruptions or additional resource investments.

In addition, by automating repetitive tasks, businesses can save on labour costs while reallocating employees to more strategic roles.

Automation technology also addresses common packaging process issues in real time, ensuring consistent, high-quality output with every box produced. Ultimately, packaging automation guarantees precision and accuracy, delivering perfectly packaged products consistently.

 

3. Are there opportunities to scale up the solution?

The beauty of Panotec Automation is that businesses can start with a single module of automation, maybe addressing a specific packaging challenge, and as the company grows and operations expand it has the ability to scale up to a fully automated solution.

 

4. How does automation enhance sustainability?

Firstly, it promotes efficient resource usage by reducing energy consumption and minimising waste, it does this by optimising packaging dimensions, producing the perfect sized box every time, conserving valuable materials and avoiding the need for excess void fillers and plastic packaging.

Secondly, automation also contributes to improved product quality by ensuring consistent packaging, resulting in fewer damaged products and returns, which ultimately saves both money and resources.

Furthermore, when partnered with suppliers like Ribble, who exclusively utilise 100% recyclable, environmentally sustainable packaging materials, it further reinforces sustainability initiatives by ensuring that the entire packaging lifecycle aligns with eco-friendly practices.

 

5. How has the reception been so far?

The reception has been overwhelmingly positive. Ribble has received fantastic feedback from several of our clients who have experienced remarkable results. For instance, one client managed to slash their packaging spending by an impressive 50% within the first 12 months, leading to savings of £200,000. Another client anticipates producing half a million boxes on-site annually, with the automation equipment projected to recoup its costs in just two years.

 

6. How will independent retailers benefit?

Independent retailers stand to gain numerous benefits, automation can significantly enhance operational efficiency, allowing retailers to streamline their packaging processes and fulfil orders more quickly. This increased efficiency translates to faster turnaround times, enabling retailers to meet customer demands promptly and maintain high levels of customer satisfaction.

By automating repetitive and labour-intensive processes, retailers can allocate their workforce to more value-added activities, ultimately maximising productivity and improving overall operational effectiveness.

Automation also has the ability to minimise losses associated with product damage and mishandling. We’ve all experienced the frustration of receiving damaged products in the post, which can significantly impact customer satisfaction. By leveraging automation, retailers can enhance the consistency and protective measures of their packaging, reducing the likelihood of damage during transit. This not only preserves the integrity of products but also fosters positive customer experiences.

 

Panotec Automation provides customised solutions to suit all your packaging needs. Whether you require a variety of different size boxes for your products, or you are looking to remove void fillers from your packaging process, Panotec has a solution suitable for all sizes of business. Speak to the team about implementing Panotec Automation into your business. Contact us or call 0161 284 9000.

Solving the Furniture Industry’s Damaged Goods Dilemma

Posted on by definitionconsulting

Furniture manufacturers face a common challenge; goods becoming damaged during transit.

The logistics of shipping bulky and irregularly shaped items often result in them arriving at their destination in less-than-ideal condition. However, a growing number of manufacturers are discovering a solution to this problem through investment in Right Size packaging technology, with companies like Panotec leading the charge.

The Damaged Goods Dilemma

For furniture manufacturers, damaged goods represent more than just a financial setback. They impact customer trust, harm brand reputation, and disrupt your supply chain. The nature of furniture, large, heavy, and often fragile makes it particularly susceptible to damage during transit. Traditional one-size-fits-all packaging methods often fall short of protecting these items, leading to an alarming rate of returns.

Right Size Packaging

Right Size packaging has changed the way furniture manufacturers approach packaging. Instead of using standardised boxes that leave unused space and excessive void filler, Right Size packaging involves customising packaging to fit each product’s exact dimensions. This tailored approach minimises wasted space, reduces the risk of product movement during transit, and enhances overall protection.

Who Are Panotec?

Panotec is a leader in automated packaging solutions, offering various systems that enable furniture manufacturers to optimise their packaging processes. By leveraging Panotec’s automated systems, manufacturers can produce custom-sized boxes on demand, ensuring that each item is packaged securely and efficiently. This not only reduces the likelihood of damage during transit but also streamlines operations and cuts down on material waste.

Benefits Beyond Damage Prevention

Investing in Right Size packaging with Panotec offers a host of benefits beyond mitigating damaged products. Manufacturers can enjoy cost savings through reduced shipping expenses and material usage. The efficiency gains achieved through automation enable companies to allocate resources more effectively, improving overall productivity and profitability. Additionally, embracing sustainable packaging practices aligns with consumer’s growing preference for eco-friendly brands.

Work with Ribble Packaging

Ribble Packaging has already been able to enhance the speed, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness of furniture packaging processes for the likes of Wren Kitchens, One Call Furniture, Magnet and BA Components to name but a few by adopting Right Size packaging with Panotec.

As the furniture industry continues to evolve, packaging will play an increasingly important role in shaping the customer experience. By prioritising investment in Right Size packaging technology, manufacturers can stay ahead of the curve and position themselves for long-term success.

If you would like to discuss the possibilities of Panotec, get in contact.

Copyright © Ribble Packaging Ltd.