Category: Blog

Seven Benefits of A Packaging Automation Process

Posted on by definitionconsulting

One of the biggest causes for concern in business is the rising costs and the best approaches you can take to help combat increasing expenditure and make savings where possible. Fortunately, there are ways to keep your business sustainable and ensure a healthy bottom line, one of these is through automation, particularly in the packaging sector with packaging automation processes.

An important consideration for businesses is how to ensure a packaging process provides a respectable return on investment. So often, the cost of staff leads to non-value-added processes that are wasting both time and money. What companies need to do is find ways to be greener, more sustainable, reduces costs and eliminate wastage. One of the best ways to do this is through automated packaging machinery and automating packaging processes.

What is packaging automation?

Packaging automation uses packaging machinery at various stages of the packaging process such as filling and sealing boxes, wrapping and labelling machines and coding and strapping products. Machinery can be both automatic and semi-automatic, covering a range of tasks but, as the name suggests, semi-automatic packaging machinery will require more labour.

Depending on the return on investment you can receive will play a part on the type of automated packaging machinery that will provide the most benefits and least costs to your business.

Seven benefits of packaging automation

  •  Productivity

Typically, automated packaging machinery will process goods much faster than the manual methods. Depending on the type of automation and the number of products you need to package, a machine will be able to wrap hundreds of items a minute, for example into blister packs. With packaging machinery, you can dramatically increase productivity to save time and ensure a faster production line.

  • Safer working conditions

If the items that you are packaging are bulky, cumbersome and heavy, then there can be a risk for health and safety. If your business employs personnel to package products that are heavy, then you have the chance of injury and costly time off work as well as the cost involved with ensuring rigorous health and safety compliance. Automated packaging takes away this problematic issue and creates a safer working environment.

  • Meticulous quality

With automated packaging, you can be sure that every package is well-protected through a standardised packing process. With automated packaging, each product has a tailored packaging design and shape so that you can be sure of the same level of protection for each item, and there is a routine use of stock.

  • Saving the planet with reduced wastage

One environmental benefit of packaging automation is that a packaging machine will only use a set amount of material and will be economical in its use of material, cutting to size and creating an efficient pattern that maximises protection out of the minimum level of material. This method can also save your business a considerable amount in packaging costs by reducing the amount of waste and streamlining the types of packaging you need to prevent over-ordering of various materials.

  • Specialised packaging

Whatever your product is, you can find an automated solution that is tailored to your item. Whether is vacuum packing, pressure filling, sterilised or inflatable, you can find the right piece of equipment to suit your bespoke needs. If you package many different products, then an on-demand solution that tailors each package to suit the shape of the product is ideal.

  • Lower costs

Labour intensive processes can be expensive but also fluctuating, making it hard to calculate the budget required for your packaging sector and the cost of packaging per product. Fortunately, automated packaging solutions are standardised, typically with a fixed price for the machinery as a set amount of packaging per product that can be calculated easily. By reducing the labour requirements, you can find a use for staff in value-adding areas elsewhere in the business.

  • Efficiency

Automated packaging can serve as a double benefit, covering the role that is too repetitive and straining for staff to undertake happily and also take on the tasks that are too difficult for a human to do. Whether it’s a large item, monotonous smaller jobs that are the same day in, day out or a job for multiple people, then automation may be the best way to combat these problems and have an efficient process. Rather than struggling with employing staff or worker retention, you have a reliable packaging machine that can take on the work and isn’t afraid of a repetitive task.

If you would like to speak to one of the Ribble team about our environmental standards or find out how packaging automation could help your business, get in touch.

Is Plastic Packaging Destroying Our Environment?

Posted on by definitionconsulting

Plastic, a material that has now caused worldwide controversy after a global spread of pollution across our oceans; all thanks to its poor bio-degradable properties, human misuse and overall promotion of irresponsible environmental initiatives. Plastic packaging is causing issues for the environment.

Plastics that contain virgin resins, are a cheap alternative produced from petroleum or natural gas into small pellets known as ‘nodules’. The manufacture of these pellets alone is contributing to the depletion of natural resources, consuming 4% of the world’s oil supply. Although, it should be identified that plastic materials can be energy efficient, as it takes less energy during its manufacture then its rival glass material, including low transportation costs due to being lightweight and results in 40% less fuel for transportation.

Is there a more sustainable solution to plastic packaging?

It is without doubt plastics are a ‘wonder material’ they are adaptable and durable for most products, which has accelerated their production, but is there a more sustainable solution?

Over the last 65 years or so scientists have predicted 8.3 billion tonnes have been produced, with approximately 70% of this production present in our current waste streams – mostly sent to landfill.

Half of this material has been made within the last 13 years and current trends point to 12 billion tonnes of plastic waste by 2050. Waste deposited in landfill can reach harmful chemical levels, that spread into groundwater resources and contribute to contamination of the natural environment. When plastic products enter a water source whole, it can float around almost forever and endanger marine life.

It has been identified that most commonly used plastics are not biodegradable, providing few alternatives for disposal, following a decomposition process known as either pyrolysis or incineration through a thermal recovery facility. Although, the latter is further complicated by health and air quality concerns. Many animal studies suggest a developing link between exposure to chemicals and negative health outcomes, with findings of ‘micro-plastics’ in the bodies of marine life which demonstrates the reality of our environment.

Packaging is a short-use product that has poor recycling statistics, with only an estimated 9% of disregarded plastic being disposed of environmentally.

With raw material prices increasing, it is becoming more financially viable to recycle polymers. Including investment into innovative engineering and biological initiatives to create a more sustainable solution.

What is the solution to improving plastic packaging?

One solution is to treat plastic as a reusable material rather than a disposable commodity that can be carelessly discarded. Efforts towards increasing recycling facilities for this material and providing treatment to ensure it is suitable for its next process. Creating a sustainable culture through knowledge is highly advantageous and would increase recycling efforts for all our materials to ensure we reducing pollution rates.

What Is Inbound Logistics In Retail?

Posted on by definitionconsulting

Inbound logistics is an integral step in a supply chain as it is an essential value-adding element. In retail, inbound logistics refers to receiving your inventory or raw materials that your manufacture to create a new product. Being at the beginning of your supply chain and one of the first steps in your business process, inbound logistics are a critical step. To avoid problems further along in the supply chain, having a robust inbound logistics process is vital.

Why is inbound logistics so important in retail?

While inbound logistics have always played a prominent role in retail, the importance has grown dramatically in the last decade. With a demand for real-time data and instant delivery for both inbound and outbound logistics, having a well-coordinated inbound logistics strategy is essential.

For retail businesses, it is essential for their inbound logistics program to have visibility, with aspects such as real-time dashboards and shorter delivery times. Data analysis and trend monitoring are also necessary so that it can assist processes further down the supply chain such as during outbound logistics and reverse logistics.

For businesses looking to speed-up the supply chain and increase customer satisfaction, inbound logistics is an important aspect of reviewing and making for a leaner operation. It is critical to evaluate the task used for inbound logistics and eradicate as many of the processes that don’t add value.

What is the difference between inbound and outbound logistics?

In simple terms, inbound logistics is between suppliers and the business and outbound logistics. Inbound logistics for retailers doesn’t just have to cover raw materials to make products; it could be stock as well as tools, equipment and business essentials. Anything that you add to your inventory from a supplier can be considered inbound logistics.

Outbound logistics are the processes in place to get your retail goods to your customers; this may be via post, delivery lorries or freight to other businesses who use your business as a supplier. Whether business to business or business to consumer, outbound logistics is another important aspect of the supply chain that can be hampered by delays in the inbound logistics process.

Inbound and reverse logistics

Another aspect of logistics is reverse logistics, whereby customers return items back to your business through damage, fault, end of life or repairs. With e-commerce and a change in customer, attitudes mean that returns are becoming more and more popular.

Reverse logistics can be a way to find value through returns. For example, Ribble Right Size allows you to repack returned items in a perfectly size box on demand. What’s more, this process also helps to speed up the returns process meaning you can get the product back on the shelf ready for a customer purchase.

In many ways reverse logistics need to be treated in the same way as inbound logistics as the process for receiving items is similar. With a beneficial returns process where you create value from a return, the way you can efficiently turn the item around from goods receiving into goods departing is a sign of a robust and managed inbound logistics process.

Inbound logistic considerations for retailers

Without a reliable inbound logistics process, it can be disastrous for businesses. A slow and unpredictable supply of goods can cause problems with customer dissatisfaction and lose revenue. Other considerations that retailers must consider for their inbound logistics processes include;

Automation

Just like your customers, your business should be looking for speedier and more efficient ways to receive goods from suppliers. Automation services that can not only increase capacity and loading but also track packages can be vital in giving your customers an appropriate lead time for their goods.

Technologies that automate tasks such as the labour involved will also need a review to help get your goods moving quickly and cost-effectively.

Processing

Once goods are received from inbound logistic process how quickly are they added to your inventory and put away ready for sale? Processing can be an aspect which can be improved through a better inbound logistics process. By knowing what you’re going to receive and when, your warehouse and team can be prepared, reducing congestion and ensuring that your inventory is meticulously up to date.

Reverse logistics

Receiving returns as well as new stock can cause challenges for processing and storage. With correct identification labels, staff can receive, process and add items back into the inventory quickly. Another benefit of a more efficient returns process is the speed the customer sees, allowing them to be credited quicker and improving their perception of your business.

If you want to improve your reverse logistics process as part of your inbound logistics strategy, then get in touch with the team at Ribble.

How To Streamline Manufacturing Processes With Packaging Automation

Posted on by definitionconsulting

Every business needs customer satisfaction in order to be profitable and successful. Taking a look at your manufacturing processes will help but ensuring customer satisfaction can be tricky. Consumers are constantly on the lookout for three key criteria;

  • Better product
  • Lower price
  • Quicker delivery

These customer demands only increase, and with more competitors to rival, this can put a strain on manufacturing businesses to keep their customers and stay competitive in the market place. To increase the efficiency of a product, both in cost and time, companies need to streamline their manufacturing to keep up with the growing demands.

How to streamline manufacturing processes

There are many ways to streamline manufacturing processes. One of the best ways to analyse how to simplify the process to increase its efficiency is by evaluating every task in the process and deciding whether it is a step that is value-adding or non-value-adding.

Value adding: this refers to tasks that usually changes or transforms the product, essentially adding a value to the product by adapting it to suit your needs. Steps such as quality control may not change the product, but still, can add value so be mindful of the activities that confirm value too.

Non-value adding: these tasks are ones that do not change the product and don’t necessarily need to be performed to ensure value to the product. They may, however, need to be performed due to the setup of production, for example moving parts from one part of the factory to another, or storage where parts are waiting for work to be performed.

To streamline the process as a whole, a good method is to focus on the non-value adding tasks first by stripping away any that are unnecessary. The next step is simplifying the process in order to eliminate the activity in the future, for example, changing the layout of the manufacturing set up to reduce the time between work stations.

For many businesses streamlining activities will only take place, if at all, in the manufacturing of the product itself. What many people neglect is a critical area of streamlining potential which is the packaging of the finished product.

How packaging automation can streamline manufacturing processes

Packaging automation works by creating the box or boxes you need with ease. Whether a mechanical or electrical system, packaging automation replaces some or all of the manual packaging elements and uses machinery to complete the task to make an array of different packaging options.

Box on Demand is just one of the automated packaging systems available which create packaging on demand that is uniquely designed to fit a range of different shapes and sizes. This is ideal for manufacturers who offer a range of different products that all have different packaging requirements.

Depending on your packaging requirements, automated packaging solutions can help to streamline your business in many ways such as;

  • Speed – items can be boxed as soon as they’re off the production line, you do not have to wait until the right sized box has been made up.
  • Efficiency – automated packaging reduces the manual effort required, meaning other people can be utilised in a different area of work.
  • Time-saving – as soon as products are finished they can be boxed and sent straight away, reducing the lead time for the customer.
  • Space-saving – as soon as products are ordered, they can be packaged and shipped, meaning they can free up space in your premises and reduces the risk of items being forgotten about.
  • Cost-saving – only creating the packing you need, you do not have to buy boxes in bulk that won’t be used. The money saved can be invested in machinery to speed up other areas of the manufacturing process.
  • Reduced rework – by having the right sized box, your product will be safer and therefore reach your customer fully functional. By packaging in the wrong sized box, you risk returns and remanufacturing to give the customer a quality product.
  • Less wastage – only utilising what you need, you can reduce the wastage of your business, making the process more efficient and reducing lost costs.
  • Consistency – As packaging systems make the right box every time, you know that each box will be flawless and your customers will know what to expect with the high-quality packaging solutions you provide.
  • Safety – With automation, you reduce the number of workers you need and can, therefore, increase the safety. The chances of injury with automated machinery will help to protect your workforce and could save your business considerable money in training, lost work days and potential lawsuits.

Find out more about automated packaging solutions and how they can benefit your business.

What Is Supply Chain Management?

Posted on by definitionconsulting

Supply chain management is a vast area that covers all of the processes and activities involved in the supply chain. It has only been in recent years that the term supply chain management (SCM) has been thrown into the limelight and people are beginning to take its importance seriously. Nowadays an efficient and effective supply chain is something that businesses need to continuously work and strive for.

Why is supply chain management so important?

Supply chain management has two core functions, it enables customers to receive value, and it also encourages an efficient practice that gives a business a sustainable and competitive advantage.

In order to do this, supply chain management needs to review, manage and oversee all of the supply chain activities, both internally and externally. To ensure an effective and efficient system, every single action must be covered from logistics, information and product sourcing.

In a busy market, where competition is rife, it has never been so important to ensure an efficient operation that meets business needs but also focuses on consumer trends and requirements.

Who is supply chain management for?

Wherever you look, the processes of supply chain management are happening around you. A trip to the shop offers a multitude of supply chain activities such as planning, forecasting, information relay and logistics to make sure the item you want is in stock.

Some businesses will focus their attention on singular supply activities in order to improve their system. However, every process is a cog in the supply chain system and to gain maximum value, and efficiency a complete supply chain management system should be implemented to ensure each process is efficient, timely and effective.

For any business, meeting customer requirements is critical and to do this; it is important that everything is done correctly in the supply chain. Supply chain management is vital for any business that wants to complete tasks successfully and make their customers happy.

What are the key supply chain management activities?

There are many processes and events involved in the supply chain system utilising both physical (e.g. logistics) and information (e.g. forecasting) flows. Some of the key areas on focus in the management system include;

  1. Preparation

To create a supply chain that works, a chain must be designed and planned with a view to executing without flaw. This activity involves research and analysis in order the predict trends, demand and risks to the system.

  1. Procurement

Before you can implement a supply chain, you must first need to ensure you have an effective buying strategy that enables you to have access to all you need during the production and delivery of your business.

  1. Creation

To create, manufacture, and produce what you want to sell, you need to understand how the supply chain will affect these tasks. This could be ensuring that materials are in place to reducing the time between processes so every activity can be completed without issue or lost time.

  1. Logistics

Once your product or service is finished, how do you get it to your customers? Even if this isn’t a physical logistics process, it will still need to be analysed to ensure that goods flow easily, safely and at the best price to provide value for you and the customer. This may mean third-party management.

  1. Reverse logistics

A point that is often forgotten is how you ensure an effective delivery of goods being returned to you for processes such as recycling, reselling, repairing and disposing. As customer returns increase, a reverse logistic process needs as much attention as your delivery of goods to your client.

  1. Customer satisfaction

If your supply chain leads to dissatisfied customers, then there is a broken process that needs to be addressed. Customer satisfaction is integral to a successful supply chain and successful business as a whole. Orders need to be fulfilled seamlessly and flawlessly to keep customers returning and to keep your business running smoothly.

Benefits of supply chain management

In a world where supply chains are growing increasingly complex, management is key. Depending on the size of your business this may be a role of one person or for a team of workers that focus on specialist activities within the system. When you manage the supply chain, you’ll see benefits such as;

  • More information for critical business decisions
  • Quicker and smoother flow
  • Improved cash flow and finance management
  • Better ways to meet customer demands
  • More flexibility for your business
  • Achieve business objectives
  • Better relationship with suppliers and clients.
Improve your supply chain management with reverse logistics

An overlooked supply chain activity is reverse logistics, however, by tapping into this area, you can see benefits such as lower costs, improved customer satisfaction, repeat business and recovered costs. Ribble Right Size can help to manage your reverse logistics process by allowing you to create the perfect size box for every product on demand. This allows you to resell goods at full value and keep a healthy bottom line for your business.

Top Six Reasons For Reverse Logistics In Retail

Posted on by definitionconsulting

Reverse logistics in its simplest form is running processes and products in reverse order to gain as much value as possible.

Reverse logistics could involve returns, repairs, refurbishment and the dismantling of goods to obtain materials and therefore value. The process goes a long way in reducing the amount of waste a company produces and the subsequent effects on the environment.

There is also evidence that shows business response times are a lot faster due to the implementation of reverse logistics, therefore creating a better experience and allowing for better customer service.

So, there are certainly benefits to implementing reverse logistics, but it will all come down to the pros and cons and the type of business that is being operated.

What are the reasons for reverse logistics in online retail?

 

  • The rate of returns

 

Returns are widespread within the retail industry. The percentage of returns through in-store retail is nowhere close in comparison with the online retail sector. This is by and large to do with the fact that when people make purchases online, they can only usually see what they are buying and not test it or try it. Therefore returns are not only common; they are to be expected as standard.

Online retail is booming with shopping habits a lot different to 20 years ago. So the bigger the online shopping world becomes, the more returns will occur.  This means that the returns system is crucial to an operation. Having a smooth reverse logistics process is not just a benefit, it is a requirement.

 

  • Saving money

 

By operating with a returns logistics system, it will save a company a lot of money. So, for example, when a customer buys a product and it is returned. Instead of the product being thrown away or wasted, it is put back through the process and through to resale. It could, for example, involve some refurbishment work, but instead of the product being binned, it will be sold. So that means you could gain some or all the original value back.

Also, if a product is thrown away, it will need another to replace it which costs money too. For your online business, stock levels are important, so keep them topped up by maximising your use of returned goods.

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  • Environmentally friendly

 

One of the biggest reasons for reverse logistics is the environment. By reducing the amount of waste that is produced by a company, you are effectively helping the environment. People around the world are working together to help the environment and customers respect businesses who follow suit.

By utilising reverse logistics, because the products are not going to waste and are being put back out for sale, the amount of waste produced will decrease dramatically. Therefore, it will have a positive effect on the environment and people will appreciate that an effort is being made to do so too.

 

  • Stock availability

 

There’s nothing worse for an online retailer than running out of stock. This could be due to selling out and then having to wait for the supplier to come good with more stock or the manufacturer to produce more. Because reverse logistics is a continuously running cycle, you’ll always get stock coming back through for resale. You always get returns too.

So, when a product is returned, if it goes back on sale, it keeps the steady flow of stock going. Therefore it will prevent online retailers having to declare items sold out as often.

 

  • Feedback

 

When products are returned, the retailer is going to find out why. It could be due to a one-off fault, or the customer may just not have liked the item. If the returns that are coming through are due to some sort of manufacturing issue, for example, and there’s enough of them to show a common problem, then reverse logistics can come into play.

First of all, the manufacturer or supplier can make adjustments going forward. Also, the returned items could be dismantled or refurbished to resolve the issue. This means they will end up back on sale and value can be reclaimed. Trends are everything, and by spotting the negative ones, it allows solutions to be put in place.

 

  • Customer service

 

In any business, the most important things are the customer and their happiness . Shoppers these days are budget focused and those who shop online, even more so. Making returns in the past for a lot of people was a cause for embarrassment, but in the modern day, people are more inclined to send items back if they’re not totally happy with them.

An efficient reverse logistics system allows returns to run more smoothly. This is something that will encourage the customer to make repeat business. They’ll also praise the company and recommend your service to other people, potentially new customers, so again it helps enhance the company reputation as well as revenue.

Make sure your returns run smoothly

Now you know the main reasons for reverse logistics, if you’re looking to set up or improve your reverse logistics process for your online business, then Ribble Right Size is here to help. With Right Size, you can repackage returned items in a perfectly sized box, ready to resell and enjoy maximum value and profit.

What is Reverse Logistics Management?

Posted on by definitionconsulting

In today’s world, the logistical support goes beyond the typical forward logistics and includes product recall, product disposal, and product recycling too. All the remanufacturing and refurbishing activities can be incorporated in the definition of reverse logistics.

Reverse logistics management covers the procedures which are associated with the return, maintenance, repair, dismantling and even recycling of products and their materials. It includes the reversal of the running products through the supply chain so that maximum value can be attained.

In 1992, James R. Stock for the very first time used the term reverse logistics in a white paper titled with the same name. It was in 1998 when the concept was further explained and refined by him in the book “Development and Implementation of Reverse Logistics Programs”.

Since then, reverse logistics management has not only been considered an attractive process for businesses to follow but a necessity. Especially as sectors such as online retail grows and the fact that customers are now budget-conscious and will return products they aren’t happy with.

Usually, logistics deals with the events which bring the product to the customers whereas, in reverse logistics, the resource or the product need to go back at least one step to reach the client. It is important to note that even if the product has to go back only one step, there can be many processes involved to make that happen.

Processes of Reverse Logistics Management

There are numerous aftermarket processes through which a product goes in reverse logistics. These include:

Remanufacturing

The product is rebuilt by using parts which are either repaired, reused, or can be new too. This is done to provide an enhanced life to the product.

Refurbishment

The resale of a product which has been repaired and is now in a condition as good as new comes under refurbishment.

Servicing

This is a comprehensive category and includes field service, customer service, and issuance of return merchandise authorisation for product returns in it.

Return Management

When the products are returned because of any issue or defect, they are taken care of through this process.

Recycling and Waste Management

When a product reaches its life or becomes defected due to any reason then instead of just disposing of it, the materials can be utilised for the development of another product.

Warranty Warehouse

When the products in warranty are returned due to any minor or major defect, the warranty is managed through reverse logistics. The flaw is fixed, and the product is returned to the customer, or in some severe cases, replaced with a new product.

Warehouse Management

The management of the warehouse where all the remanufacturing and repairing takes place is also carried out under reverse logistics management. As seamless reverse logistics management process will also create a well-organised and ordered warehouse, which works seamlessly to offer goods out, goods in and goods under review, repair, re-testing and repackaging.

Importance of Reverse Logistics

The most important question here is why is it important for retailers to deal with reverse logistics? This is because this helps them in improving their customer service and provide better response times to them. The manufacturers are able to reduce their environmental impact and bring a positive change to the overall corporate environment.

In a system where logistics is used, it is vital that reverse logistics is incorporated into the planning and process creation, as without reverse logistics, you can’t have an effective, operational logistics program.

Here are the benefits which organisations can reap through reverse logistics management:

Profitable and Efficient Business

Through better planning, effective management, and skilled execution, the process of reverse logistics tends to become profitable for the businesses. Because of generous return policies, the retailers might order a greater stock, and in the same way, customers will be buying more products too. This is because retailers know that the company will help them if there is something wrong with the product or if they are not comfortable using it.

Good Image for the Customers

If a company is ready to offer return and exchange policy, then this means that they care about their clients and are willing to take responsibility for any kind of fault. This shows that their ultimate goal is the satisfaction of the customers instead of making huge profits. A caring reverse logistics strategy can make the customers choose a particular company out of the entire lot and in turn, this benefits the retailers too with higher sales.

Proper Disposal of Products

Through reverse logistics, the companies follow proper disposal of goods which keeps them in line with the environmental compliances. This not only helps them in reducing their footprint on the planet but creates their philanthropist image in front of the customers too. Moreover, the materials and products can be reutilized which are in a perfectly fine and resellable condition.

Strategies for Success

As customers are becoming extremely sophisticated in their purchasing decisions with the environmental laws taking a forefront too, the companies are looking to redefine their return and exchange policies. The goal is to increase value amongst the customers and to build strong loyalty.

Some of the most effective strategies for reverse logistics which are being used by leading multinationals including Hewlett-Packard, Eastman Kodak are:

  • Reducing the amount of waste in the environment which also leads to lower operating costs and compliance with the laws.
  • Recovering the costs which are associated with collecting raw materials, manufacturing, packaging, and waste disposal.
  • Realising the importance of user-friendliness for any product and investing in the user manuals to make them easily comprehensible.
  • Retailers, vendors, and logistics companies working together to control the number of returned products.
  • Conducting spot audits helps in reducing discrepancies and thus, controls the number of claims made.

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Challenges of Reverse Logistics Management

Reverse logistics comes with its own share of problems which can be overcome when the entire team of vendors, retailers, and logistics companies come together to face them.

Difference in Pricing

Depending on the type of product, the prices might fluctuate speedily so it is imperative that the merchandise which is put into the return mode must be handled expeditiously. The returns should be processed rapidly by the retailers and the vendors before it becomes too expensive for them.

Performing All the Retailing Tasks Again

The entire responsibility of shortening the time relies on many processes and often many providers in the steps between return origination up until the reselling of the product.  They are involved in collecting, scanning, invoicing, and dispositioning of the products and need to make sure that the return is done within the given time while ensuring the ultimate satisfaction of the customers.

With this in mind, it is vital that the entire reverse logistics management is well thought out and implemented. With so much at stake, from customer satisfaction to the bottom line your reverse logistics management needs to be robust and comprehensive managing all risks and possible scenarios.

In many cases, leaving your entire reverse logistics management to one provider often allows businesses to have a more manageable trail, ensuring that there will not be a breakdown in the chain of processes. It can also help to make sure that the act of completing the same transactions again from the start can be met with ease rather than complications.  

Stay Competitive

There is immense competition in the retail industry and to stay ahead in it, the retailers rely on their return policies as a competitive weapon. In the modern times, these retailers have become more powerful than the manufacturers, and if any manufacturer doesn’t offer a return policy, the chances are high that the retailer will not take their product.

It is the same for consumers who have the power and command over the retailer, without a returns policy, customers will choose your competitor who offers a better service.

All in all, staying competitive means making reverse logistics management as important as forwarding logistics management.

The Importance of Returns Management

Posted on by definitionconsulting

Returns management, often referred to as reverse logistics is the management of returned items to your company. But do you know the importance of returns management?

We talk through some of the benefits.

How you manage returns will influence the overall management of your warehousing and storage, inventory, depreciating goods and soiled items. Therefore, the bottom line will be the impact on overall profitability.

Managing returns is never quite as simple as putting items back on a shelf to be shipped off to another customer. Returns involve a quality control process. The reason for returning an item should be established as soon as possible once it has been returned, if not beforehand. Streamlining a process by which returns are then managed will prevent hindrance to outgoing logistics too.

Processing can become expensive if it isn’t efficient.

Absorbing the cost

When products are handled by a large third party company such as Amazon, once the condition of the return has been established it can either be repackaged ready for resale, sent for refurbishment or, alternatively, for recycling. Even when products can no longer be sold, it is still possible to mitigate costs against refurbishment or recycling, and this can neutralise the expense of the process involved.

It is also important to remember that once an item has been returned, it will either be refunded or replaced without an additional sale. Managing the reverse logistics efficiently will prevent these cases from becoming a severe loss to the company from within the overall logistics management process.

The cost of returned products will have an impact on pricing. If many of the same products are being returned then to keep the product profitable its price will inevitably go up.

This domino effect can be reduced by an effective system that reduces the cost of returning the product, while also providing insight into the reasons behind the return. There are instances too, where the cost of the return is not worth the value of the product even at scrap value. In these cases, it may be a better solution to simply credit or refund the customer and ask the customer to dispose of the item locally.

Customer relationships

The efficiency and adequate management of returns have a substantial influence on customer relationship management. This will in turn influence long term returning customers, additional sales and future business development. When the returns management is prioritised, it leads to greater profitability within the company. It leads to increased customer satisfaction too and therefore reduces waste.

Every return is an indicator of failure that has taken place with the client relationship.

Items may be returned for many different reasons. It could be that the product wasn’t exactly what the customer wanted, it arrived damaged, or that there was an issue with timeous delivery. When the returns process adds to that experience in a negative way, not only will the customer be reluctant to do business with you again, but they’ll discourage others from doing so too.

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Recycling

Effective product returns management can have a positive environmental impact too.

There are many ways that non-sellable returned items can be recycled or reused. Some that are refurbished create a greater balance in the profitability offset, helping the organisation to reduce any real costs to the process.

Everyone is involved in returns management

Everyone participates in the returns process, not just the staff at inbound receiving. Sales staff need to recognise why items are returned and can be proactive in reducing the number of returned goods. Sometimes the item won’t meet the needs of the customer or the client needs to be better educated in how to use the item.

Quite often goods are returned, and no fault can be found with the item. When this happens frequently, it can indicate that the customer doesn’t know how to use the product correctly and the item or its packaging may require some re-engineering. When marketing staff are invested in the returns process, they will have an interest in keeping the sales profitable. This will, in turn, enhance reduction in returns.

Staff in finance will have to apply a credit or a refund, and this requires a seamless system from the moment the return is despatched back to the warehouse or supplier. The supply chain is as it implies reversed and this needs to be as robust as the outgoing logistics system.

Returning products to the sales inventory

When products have been inspected and found to be in a saleable condition, they can be quickly repackaged and replaced in a merchandising position that enables the supplier to resell it and thus reduce the handling time and consequently the cost. An inspection and repackaging solution offered by returns management companies can also help to lower the cost in returns of no fault items. This reduces the reverse logistics cost to the company even further.

Get your products back to market sooner with returns management

If you want to streamline your returns process so that you regain the profits from your returns, then speak to Ribble about their Ribble Right Size solutions.

With Ribble Right Size can help you recover the costs, repack your items and resell almost immediately.

5 Easy to Implement Manufacturing Product Packaging Solutions

Posted on by definitionconsulting

When you’re focusing on the quality of the product, you need simple product packaging solutions that take the stress away and allows you to concentrate on the central aspect; your product.

1. Flat pack solutions

Flat pack furniture came about when a Swedish draughtsman had to unscrew the legs off a table to fit it into his car. The experience made him wonder about developing a system where furniture could be manufactured in a kit form. The Swedish legacy lives in one of the largest flatpack furniture retailers that have stores across the globe. While the concept of flat pack relates to the design and manufacture of the furniture, it has generated an entirely new process in packaging. Flat pack furniture comes unassembled. It is therefore packaged with sometimes hundreds of small bits and pieces as part of the greater package.

This has led to the necessity for product specific flat pack packaging, where the goods are packaged as tightly and with as much space economy as possible. The consequence is that people can fit an entire bedroom’s furniture into the back of their car. The need to design boxes that fit into boxes to take advantage of all interior space came with the advent of flat packed products, and innovative furniture packaging has led to the development of newer solutions. These solutions, however, have not left the flat pack in the corridors of obsolescence. It could be argued that the special economics of flat pack packaging is the grandparent of modern compact packaging solutions.

When retailing larger products particularly, furniture flatpack makes storage and sales implementation a dream.

2. Automated solutions

Automated packaging comes in all different shapes and sizes and can be varied depending on your requirements. This type of packaging can be used for both perishable and non-perishable products, but is also useful, with small furniture items. Flatpack designs have now become so flexible that they form part of automated packaging systems. While flat packing is an innovative packaging method, it marries well with automation to offer an easy production line solution in manufacturing. While automated packaging saves time, it is the precursor to what has become the packaging method of preference in large warehousing operations – on demand packaging.

In situations where a business warehouses its stock, automating the packaging process makes sense. There are times when combining one other or all of the methods mentioned in this post can form part of the automation process and automation makes sense, particularly when running a twenty-four-hour operation.

When a product line can be assembled in a uniform size and shape, automated packaging usually makes sense. It must be noted however that automated and on-demand packaging are two different processes.

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3. On-demand product packaging solutions

On-demand packaging is probably one of the most versatile and innovative product packaging solutions developed yet. On-demand machines package, according to the size and shape of the products placed on the device. In other words, every product can be different, and the machine will wrap the item according to its weight and dimensions. Apart from saving space in transit, this type of packaging saves time and labour costs. The on-demand packaging also means that items can be packaged when and where the warehouse wants it to happen.

On-demand machines will build the custom packaging for a particular product in real time, saving storage space, packaging materials and make reverse logistics a much easier process – the perfect packing solution.

4. Hexacomb packaging

Hexacomb packaging is extremely lightweight cardboard packaging constructed with a typical honeycomb design. The honeycomb design provides immense strength while reducing the amount of weight that conventional strips of packaging would to the end product. When products such as furniture are heavy, this product has done its duty to reduce even more potential weight to the fully packaged product. This packaging can also be cut and shaped to snugly fit into vulnerable furniture parts keeping them safe in transit.

This kind of packaging usually forms part of a greater product packaging solutions strategy and demonstrates a solution for otherwise difficult items to ship.

5. Protective packaging

Protective product packaging solutions come in a variety of shapes and forms. It is most commonly identified as packaging that is designed to fit over sharp corners of furniture such as on tables and cabinets. Often surface protection is also provided for polished wooden tables. In the past, polystyrene was consistently used for its protective packaging properties, however, as environmental factors have become a consideration, it is now more common to see these packaging products made with recyclable corrugated cardboard.

These pieces of additional protective packaging not only serve as protection for the item to which they are attached but also as a safety precaution to prevent damage to vulnerable items that are transported with them.

Want your packaging simplified?

If you want to make packaging your products easier with, then talk to the leading product packaging experts in the UK. Our friendly advisors will help you to keep costs and time down with the best sustainable packaging solution for your needs.

How Etailers Save The Planet With Ribble Right Size?

Posted on by definitionconsulting

The Ecommerce market increased by 16% between 2015 and 2016 carrying on the year on year growth pattern which has shown no signs of stopping any time soon. This huge increase in customers purchasing online has led to Etailers reviewing their logistics processes in order to handle the increase in traffic.

One of the single, greatest issues that arise with logistics is how to save time, money and space when transporting products from point A to point B. However, many Etailers have also perfected the concept of saving the planet with Right Size solutions.

This incredibly innovative system produces a box for every product so that there is no excess packaging waste. Transportation and logistics are optimised because more space becomes available and of course, the cost is reduced for everyone involved.

This is how efforts to save the planet are improved with the Box on Demand process;

  1. Every box fits the product

Every single item is measured before packaging, and a box is automatically produced to fit that particular product. This means that there is no lost space inside the box. The product is firmly packaged with little or no room for movement which will dramatically reduce breakages. Reduction in damages reduces the quantity of products that need to be replaced, which in return reduces the unnecessary additional emissions from the vehicles used to transport the items. Reduced emissions take us one step closer to keeping our planet inhabitable. The safer packaging also means there are fewer returns thus preventing the quadrupling of emissions for any given transaction.

  1. Reduced lost space means greater transport volume

By reducing the lost space in a cardboard box, more boxes can be transported in a single journey. Effectively this means that the emissions produced can be reduced dramatically for each individual item, not only by reducing the unnecessary repeat trips but also by reducing the number of original journeys substantially, which means our planet will enjoy some relief. Truck emissions, aircraft emissions and even heavy traffic emissions are all reduced thanks to compact packaging and space-saving solutions.

  1. Less to recycle

Although good cardboard products are biodegradable, and repeat use of cardboard is encouraged some of it will always end up in a landfill. When you start to add up how many excess square centimetres of a box containing lost space will end up in landfill especially when considering the millions of annual deliveries made by Etailers, the rescue effort of our planet becomes incredible. Tightly packaged products with fewer cardboard centimetres will literally save tonnes of cardboard from the landfill.

  1. Reuse of the packaging

The Box On Demand package is made in such a way that it’s easy to open and if it may need to be returned, the very same packaging can be reused. If every single return is made with the same packaging the item was delivered in, then the cardboard saving is immense, not only regarding landfill space saved but all the way back to the emissions produced when manufacturing the original box.

 

  1. The cost saving

A large amount of companies are using inappropriate box sizes for their item’s being shipped, this cost is carried over to the end user. What this means for the consumer is that they are more likely to purchase products from an online retailer that is saving them money while also saving the planet. The cost of delivery is a huge influence in online buying decisions, and the cost reduction will have a domino effect when influencing those decisions.

  1. On-site packaging

Because Etailers are using box on demand machines on site in their warehouses, no emissions are being produced to order and have boxes manufactured and delivered to their sites. The manufacturing quite literally takes place as the product is packaged. There are fewer processes involved in the production as the box on demand is a turnkey solution for every single size of product. Since cardboard is already an eco-friendly product, the impact on the welfare of the planet is remarkably low.

If you want your business to follow in the footsteps of these successful retailers and save the planet one box at a time while at the same time saving on your packaging costs, then consider Box on Demand. Box on Demand gives you on-demand and on-site packaging with a box-making machine allowing your business to save money and save the planet.

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