Tag: packaging

5 Packaging Solutions For Your Products In 2019

Posted on by definitionconsulting

Packaging products effectively has never been as important as it is today, with stores packed full of a vast range of products from every industry there is more competition than ever to stand out from the rest.

In order to be visible to your customers, as well as offering sustainable and responsible packaging, you need to think very carefully about your packaging solutions and how they are working for you. Your packaging solutions are often the first point of contact potential customers have with your brand and products. Therefore, it is vital to be creative and individual in order for them to choose you over your competitors.

Most customers will look for originality when it comes to packaging solutions and will be drawn to products that are different from the rest. In recent years, customers and brands alike have been focusing more on the materials used in packaging, and the process used to produce them. This is down to calls for packaging solutions to be more environmentally friendly and sustainable.

Customers don’t want to choose products that use excessive and unnecessary packaging solutions. Not only is this bad for the environment, but it is also an extra hassle for disposing of packaging once they get the products home. Businesses should constantly be reviewing and updating their packaging solutions to keep up with trends and stay on top of the game. These are our top five packaging solutions for your products in 2019:

Top Five Packaging Solutions For 2019

  • Mailing Boxes and Postal Sleeves

Online shopping is more popular now than ever, with more and more customers choosing to shop for all types of products on the internet as opposed to in a physical store. This means there is an increase in demand for packaging solutions that can easily be shipped and posted to customers’ homes.

If your business operates online, the chances are you need to ship products directly to customers.

Mailing boxes and postal sleeves are great packaging solutions for this, as they can be designed to safely transport products while also being compact enough to fit through letterboxes. Most postal sleeves and mailing boxes will come with a foam lining to protect products during shipping to minimise damage and avoid costly returns.

  • Corrugated Boxes

Corrugated board can be used to produce cost-efficient packaging solutions for all types of products. With a growing demand for companies to become more environmentally friendly, corrugated boxes are an excellent option for reducing your carbon footprint and minimising plastic use. The corrugated board has the ability to prevent moisture and protect products with additional cushioning. They are available in any size, shape and thickness, making them perfect for packaging solutions.

  • Paper Tape

As the world is focused on reducing the amount of waste plastic around, switching to paper tape from plastic tape can make a big difference to your packaging solutions. Paper tape has excellent bonding properties, meaning you only need to use one single layer to get a secure seal.

Unlike plastic packaging solutions, paper tape is made from sustainable and degradable materials that are also recyclable. Combining paper tape with corrugated boxes will give you fully recyclable packaging solutions, where there is no need to remove the tape before recycling.

  • Automated Packaging Solutions

Automated packaging solutions are a great way to create packaging for all different shapes and sizes depending on your individual requirements. Introducing automated packaging solutions offers an easy and straightforward production line for manufacturing.

Any business that has a warehouse for their stock can benefit from automated packaging solutions, particularly if they are running a 24-hour operation. Nearly any time where a product line can be assembled into a uniform size and shape, then automated packaging solutions make sense.

  • On Demand Packaging Solutions

For really versatile and innovative product packaging solutions in 2019, you should consider on-demand packaging. On-demand packaging solutions can package according to the size and shape of a specific product, so whatever product you place on the machine, it will wrap the item depending on its dimensions and weight.

On-demand packaging solutions are hugely beneficial as they save on time and labour costs, as well as saving space in shipping and transit. For warehouses this is a great packaging option as items can be packed when and where you want, saving on storage space and making logistics much easier.

Having packaging solutions that can work in real time can bring some huge benefits to any company, and on-demand packaging is expected to be the future of packaging.

Our Top 5 UK Packaging Designers

Posted on by definitionconsulting

Innovative packaging designs are changing the way we view and perceive products.

A beautifully designed product package can be the difference between a customer choosing a product on a shelf or not. Similarly, making us delighted when we open the box or less than thrilled with our online purchase.

Packaging is powerful, and many people believe that a product’s package is just as important as the product itself. Getting an experienced packaging designer to create something beautiful that represents your brand and product perfectly can make all the difference in product sales and overall success.

Roughly 95% of new products fail, so a well thought out package, created by an experienced packaging designer is essential for success and to make the impact you need.

A product’s packaging is often the first point of contact a new customer has with your brand, so you need to try to make it memorable and engaging enough to make them try a new product or company they have never even heard of.

Packaging designers can create feelings and emotions around your product, that will encourage consumers to pick it on a shelf full of competitors. Even the simplest of designs have been the work of a professional packaging designer, and sometimes less is more when it comes to packaging.

Apple products are infamous for coming in clean, basic and minimal packaging and it works perfectly for the brand and product inside. Here we take a look at the people and agencies behind the packaging with our list of the top 5 UK packaging designers:

Top Packaging Designers: Top Five UK Designers

Design Bridge is one of the most prominent and most accomplished packaging designers in both the UK and internationally. They have won a number of awards for their impeccable packaging design for big name clients such as Tiger Beer, Nescafe and UEFA Champions League.

The packaging designers have been around for over 30 years so have a lifetime of experience under their belts, and as well as studios in London they also operate in Amsterdam, Singapore, New York and Shanghai. They pride themselves on their original and outside the box ideas and aim to keep this at the heart of everything they do.

Top packaging designers are those that understand the importance of a brand’s packaging conveying its unique character at just one glance. Jones Knowles Ritchie have designed packets for Guinness, Birds Eye, Heinz and many other big businesses, and they focus on projecting the things that make each brand different instead of reflecting their comfortable conventions.

These experienced packaging designers have won a handful of awards, including five DBA Effectiveness Awards and two Marketing’s Design Awards. The creative agency was established in London in 1990 and have since expanded to New York, Singapore and Shanghai.

The proud winners of 40 DBA International Design Effectiveness Awards, Elmwood hold more of these awards than any other agency ever! They are skilled packaging designers with an incredible ability to increase product sales without any advertising.

Elmwood has even put their own skills to the test by designing and marketing their very own brand of beer and tea, both with beautifully designed packaging. Their significant clients include ASDA, BBC Talent and Comic Relief, and their portfolio makes it easy to see why they are one of the best packaging designers around. Elmwood has six studios across the globe, with three in the UK and the others in New York, Melbourne and Singapore.

Bloom London take a unique approach to their work and act as Brand Identity Partners to their clients. They strive to deliver identities through packaging and beyond, in a way that can stand the test of time in a world that is ever-changing.

As the name suggests, they are packaging designers that strive to help their clients blossom and bloom to reach their full potential. The agency doesn’t tend to enter awards, allowing their work to speak for itself, and even with this approach, they have still managed to win a few.

The last on our list of top packaging designers, but by no means the least talented; Bulletproof pride themselves on unrivalled creativity and strategic ideas. Taking spirit from their name, Bulletproof believe that all their work must come from impenetrable ideas.

Bulletproof has been named the 4th best design agency by The Drum Magazine, and it is clear to see why. They do a lot of work within the food and beverage industry, with some of their biggest clients being Coca-Cola, Schweppes, Heineken, Strongbow, Bacardi and Cadbury’s.

15 Innovative Types Of Packaging Box

Posted on by definitionconsulting

Packaging is not only a practical and necessary part of your product but also an excellent opportunity to market your product and brand to potential customers.

When done correctly, product packaging will draw attention to your products, send a message and even make your consumers feel a certain way about your brand.

Packaging can come in any shape, size, material and colour for every type of product out there, and while box packaging might be considered boring and mundane, that does not have to be the case.

Boxes can be used to create a powerful exterior for your product, and there are thousands of various types and designs that can be used to package products of any shape or size.

Making your product stand out amongst the rest is no easy task, so here we take a look at 15 different types of packaging boxes to inspire your product marketing:

  • Folding Cartons

Folding cartons are one of the most common types of boxes for retail products in stores. Just because they are the most basic of packaging boxes doesn’t mean they can’t be inspiring. Check out these stunning insect-inspired light bulb boxes that are a brilliant example of how amazing packaging can make simple products stand out.

  • Rigid Boxes

A step up from the folding carton, rigid boxes are sturdier and generally used for presentation purposes and luxury products. They offer added protection as well as a high-end finish.

  • Shoulder Boxes

Shoulder boxes are a type of rigid box where the base and lid don’t meet, creating a middle section called the shoulder. The shoulder can be used to make a feature by using a contrasting colour to the top and bottom of the box.

  • Collapsible Boxes

Another type of box that can be really effective for product marketing is the collapsible box. These can save on shipping costs and storage space and offer a vast range of design options to make your products really stand out.

  • Corrugated Cardboard Boxes

Made by glueing a curved flute to two liners, corrugated boxes have traditionally been used for outer packaging, but are now becoming increasingly popular within small companies. They can be created in nearly any shape and size and are relatively cheap to produce. This wine carrying box designed by Maegen Brown is a perfect example of the flexibility of corrugated boxes.

  • Regular Slotted Containers

A standard box for the packaging industry, where all the flaps are the same length from the score to the edge; these boxes are ideal for shipping small individual items. They don’t offer much by way of customisation other than changing the print and external design, but sometimes less is more.

  • Corrugated Trays

If product visibility is vital to you and your product, then corrugated trays could be the answer. They are typical for point of sale displays as well as product packaging and essentially used to hold other objects.

  • Half Slotted Containers

Similar to regular slotted containers. However, this type of box has one open side making it perfect for sliding over pre-boxed products.

  • Roll End Tuck Top

An unglued box that is assembled by simple folding, these boxes are perfect for shipping retail products. A beautifully creative design of a roll end tuck top box is this design for Thelma’s cookies by SaturdayMFG. The box is simple yet tells a story of the brand and is instantly memorable.

  • Full Over Lap

These types of boxes feature outer flaps that overlap the entire width of the box making them tough and resilient. They are a practical choice for shipping products and can be enhanced with stunning print designs.

  • Telescope Type Boxes

A telescope type box will consist of two completely separate pieces; a base and a lid. They are popular for presenting high-end products such as technology, and a well-known example is Apple’s iPhone packaging.

  • Slide Type Boxes

Another box that consists of two separate pieces, slide type boxes have a sleeve and inner box. A stunning example of a slide type box used is the Girlfriend Collective packaging designed by Natasha Mead Studio.

  • Mailer Boxes

Mailer boxes are designed specifically for posting small products. They are created to fit easily in letterboxes and post boxes, for easy deliveries and meaning your customers don’t have to dash to the post office if they aren’t home for a delivery.

  • Shelf Ready Boxes

Shelf ready boxes are created specifically for retail shelves and displaying products in store. They can be designed to showcase a product and make it stand out to retail customers.

  • Custom Boxes

Boxes for packaging are versatile and can be created into nearly any shape and size you desire.

Creating unique and custom boxes for your products is an excellent way of giving your customers a memorable experience. Some great examples of custom box designs include this pistachio box for Mighty Nuts, this innovative flower packaging and this unfolding box for beauty products.

5 Styrofoam Peanut Packing Alternatives

Posted on by definitionconsulting

Pressure is mounting on business owners to do away with plastic and non-biodegradable methods of packaging. While it was once socially acceptable to tip tonnes of non-recyclable Styrofoam peanuts into your delivery boxes, people today are quite rightly calling for a move towards sustainability.

Nevertheless, it can be difficult to know where to start when looking for viable alternatives to packing peanuts. So, here are the five best styrofoam peanut alternatives we believe business owners should trial packing their products in.

Avoid packing material completely

While this is an obvious one, many people feel that packing material is a necessity. However, by having the perfect sized boxes for your products, you can eliminate, or at least reduce the amount of packing material you need. You can purchase on-demand cardboard boxes which are made to fit the product you want to pack, so you don’t need excess packing material.

Alternatively, if you can’t afford to get your boxes personalised to fit your products, consider collecting waste paper and cardboard for shedding. Though it won’t look quite as smart, it will still be an effective packing mechanism, and you could even leave a little note in each of the boxes to customers detailing why you pack in this way – that way, if they are eco-conscious they will be aware about your companies caring, good nature and might buy from you again. Many people will appreciate this more than they will unnecessary packing peanuts exploding onto their kitchen floor.

Unbuttered Popcorn

Putting unbuttered popcorn into your boxes sounds like an odd thing to do. Since it isn’t a particularly well-known method either you might be worried about what your customers will think. However, it’s just as effective, often cheaper, and once again you can always leave a note explaining why you use popcorn to pack products.

The only drawback for using this method is that the popcorn is easily crushed and can become quite messy if the box is bashed around too much. You could always wrap your product in recycled paper first if you want to ensure no popcorn-dust collects on your product. This is especially important if you are packing any form of technology, where there are charging port nooks that you wouldn’t want dust to collect in.

Corn Starch

Corn starch packing peanuts are now widely used as an alternative – and it’s nearly identical to Styrofoam peanuts. These strong peanuts look and feel almost the same as Styrofoam and will keep your product safe.

Moreover, it is easy for your customer to dispose of them after they have unpacked their goods. Leave a note to let them know they can simply run them under cold water and watch them dissolve. They will appreciate this easy method of disposal and the space you have saved in their bins or recycling requirements.

Coconut Husk

Coconuts have innumerable benefits, both as a food and drink source and as a packing material. The husk of the coconut is not only incredibly strong, but the fibre it contains is also non-flammable. However, while that is fantastic for durable packaging, it can mean they are difficult to dispose of after their use.

Some companies have begun combing thermoplastic with the husk to make it compostable, too. Whichever option you choose though, you will be doing more good for the environment than you would have been using Styrofoam peanuts.

Sphagnum Peat Moss

The natural material, Peat Moss, will provide a springy protective layer around your product. It’s extremely adaptable since it mushes together easily so it will work with your product no matter its shape or size. You could either purchase this versatile plant in bulk, or you could make a name for yourself as an eco-company by growing it in-house.

There will be no need to worry about where it will go after its use either since it is a natural source of packaging. This means it is compostable and therefore it will be just as easy for your customers to dispose of it as the dissolvable corn-starch peanuts.

Business owners want to know that the alternatives will just as efficiently prevent damage to your product as the Styrofoam peanuts did. These alternatives will undoubtedly be just as capable. Moreover, though it might take your customers a little bit of getting used to, if you keep advertising the reason for your strange packaging solutions you may even become more memorable due to your whacky packing unique selling point

Six Reasons For Using Cardboard Product Packaging

Posted on by definitionconsulting

For businesses who have Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) high on their agenda, it is time to evaluate every process to help find more eco-friendly methods.

However, maintaining strict budget requirements and being greener can be difficult. Fortunately, cardboard product packaging can help you to offer a more environmentally friendly solution with a whole host of benefits.

Say goodbye to plastic and hello to cardboard product packaging with six reasons why you should be using cardboard for your product packaging.

Six reasons to use cardboard product packaging

  • The war on plastic

As e-commerce grew, so did the use of plastic. Plastic is a cheap and versatile product packaging, but it is also wreaking havoc on the environment. Plastic packaging adds to our single-use throwaway culture. In fact, 50% of the plastic we use is single use. Furthermore, we throw away enough plastic every year to circle the earth four times.

Plastic is not just causing significant problems for the environment; it is also found that plastic chemicals are being absorbed by the body, which could pose severe health risks. It is no surprise with all the terrifying statistics about packaging that consumers are becoming more aware of the consequences of plastic.

Many consumers will actively seek out brands that do not use single-use plastic or plastic at all. By making the change from plastic to cardboard, you will not only be helping the environment by choosing a recyclable, degradable form of packaging, but your customers will be happier too.

Furthermore, recycled cardboard is a growing trend. Experts predict that recycled cardboard will be the next in-demand product for most packaging needs due to its versatility and eco-friendly nature. Added to this is the fact that many countries are now taxing plastic products and we may soon find a ban on plastic packaging as a whole.

  • Flexibility and versatility

With cardboard product packaging you have a blank canvas to create innovative packaging designs to fit and shapes and sizes necessary. Custom cardboard packaging is easy to acquire, and there are now machines that will automate your packaging needs by creating the right size boxes to fit the products you need. Automated cardboard packaging machinery is a significant help for businesses who ship a wide variety of products of all shapes and sizes.

The versatility of cardboard means you have the chance to be as inventive or as ordinary as you like. Boxes can be made to fit all sizes and shapes. However, you can think outside of the box and design cardboard packaging that is bespoke for your product too. If you are worried that your product won’t stand out among a sea of cardboard boxes, create a shape that is distinctive and even more practical.

  • Cost

When considering packaging for your products, it requires a careful cost analysis. You need packaging that is safe enough to reduce the number of damages and return but is also cost-effective enough to improve your bottom line. The right packaging is critical for your balance sheet. Spend too much, and your profit will suffer. Spend too little, and you may receive bad feedback for damaged items.

In many cases, recycled cardboard will cost less than plastic packaging. Furthermore, as cardboard is lightweight and you can alter the size to suit your product, you can save money on shipping too. If you have the space available, then recycled cardboard is easy to store and buying in bulk will usually ensure a cheaper rate also.

As well as this, there will be a low cost of damaged returns and cardboard is a safe and durable packaging material, designed to keep your products safe and damage-free.

  • Customer ease

Cardboard product packaging should be designed with the customer in mind. It needs to be easy for the customer to carry and handle while also being convenient, easy to use and mean little hassle for disposal. As cardboard is a very light material, it makes it easy to transport. This is ideal for saving money on logistics bit also handy for your customers too.

With cardboard, it is easy to add manual handling aids such as handles of holes. Your product packaging should be designed for customers to make it easy for them to pick it up. After all, they are more likely to purchase if it makes life easier for them. It is worth bearing in mind that if you offer a carrying mechanism, make sure it is robust and durable enough for the weight of the product. Flimsy plastic carrier bags frustrate customers when they break, make sure your product stays secure, and your packaging remains easy to hold.

Finally, after the customer has opened their packaging, disposal needs to be as easy as possible. Fortunately, recycled cardboard can be recycled with ease. If your cardboard packaging is large, it may be worth having some fold lines or perforated edges to help the customer fold and dispose of the packaging with minimal effort.

  • Branding

One of the most significant benefits of cardboard packaging is its ability for branding.

You can easily print and coat cardboard for branding needs, without limiting its recycling ability. Printing on cardboard is easy and cheap to do making it easy for your product and product packaging to stand out and get noticed.

As cardboard packaging technology has progressed, combined with computer-aided design technology, it is now easy to get your perfectly branding packaging through an automated system. This means that personalised branded cardboard is now much more affordable and accessible for businesses of every size.

While designing your branding for cardboard, it is important to be unique and stand out from your competitors, but it is also essential to think about the environment. There is no point using cardboard as an eco-friendly alternative if your additional branding or plastic coating renders it unable to be recycled. With environmental-conscious customers, you will need to think carefully about how to produce the most eco-friendly packaging that still delivers your brand message.

  • Reuse

Cardboard is an excellent material for product packaging because of its reuse-ability. A strong and sturdy box will no doubt come in handy for storage or transportation at a later date. You can also offer your customers ideas on how to reuse their cardboard packaging to make the most out of it before recycling.

Reuse ideas could include a magazine box or paper file store. With a linen liner, a generic cardboard box can be transformed into a laundry basket, stylish storage box or the ideal play box for children, especially if they have a hand in designing it and decorating it themselves. Cardboard can even be repurposed as a shelf (albeit not for heavy items) or an organiser for messy desks.

Other reuse ideas include a desk organiser, complete with drawers and multiple sections for the most creative reusers. Some may choose to reuse their cardboard box by creating a vanity unit or cosmetic tidy.  With lots of cardboard, the possibilities of repurposing are endless. For more robust pieces you simply need to add more layers of cardboard while thinner cardboard is ideal for flexible shapes.

Some brands even offer their cardboard packaging as seed trays as they compose in the ground. When you think about how to repurpose your cardboard packaging, think of your target audience and what they are most likely to benefit from after the packaging use is over. It can also be an excellent way to encourage social media engagement too.

The Box Manufacturing Process Explained

Posted on by definitionconsulting

The humble cardboard box is one of the most used packaging materials. It is a core product in packaging manufacturing. It not only fills the shelves, but it can be seen all throughout the supply chain too. When looking at a cardboard box, typically printed and branded with inviting colours and wording, it is hard to imagine it started life as a tree. We discuss the box manufacturing process step by step.

As consumers, we often forget to consider how items came to be, but we think the packaging should be celebrated. So, how does a tree finally become a box?

The steps of box manufacturing

1.     The tree

While we ideally look for recycled cardboard for box production, at one point, a cardboard box started life as a tree. Typically, the trees used for box manufacturing are softwood trees such as pine and fir tree. The reason they are chosen is that they have long fibres which can help to create a smooth finish for the cardboard as well as creating tension which increases the strength.

Many manufacturers will choose wood from sustainable and managed woodland; this means that any trees that are felled are replaced to help maintain the ecosystem of the forest. The paper and cardboard created will have a different colouring depending on the tree used. For example, silver birch trees will produce a dark colour, while a spruce will create a light brown colour.

2.     The pulp

From felling the tree, wood chips are made. These wood chips are then broken down into pulp. This can be done through grinding the wood against a stone or chemically cooking the wood chips. With this, you can add chemicals such as sodium sulphate to increase the strength of the pulp. For most cardboard, the pulp is left as the same colour. However, it can also be bleached to create a white appearance.

3.     Corrugation

Once the pulp has been dried, you can then start to create cardboard. For corrugated cardboard, it requires two pieces of paper or card called liners and a portion of fluted cardboard, which sits in between the liners. To fluting helps to give the cardboard further strength and a higher level of protection against damage.

Rolls of the paper made from the dried pulp are fed through a corrugated roller, which flutes or ruffles the paper. Depending on the quality of the box being made will depend on the level of fluting required. As increasing the fluting leads to higher use of material and therefore increased strength, this is used for high-quality boxes. For cheaper boxes, less fluting can be used which can help to create space-saving, a reduced amount of material used and can lower the carbon emissions.

The corrugation machine uses hot steam to create the flutes. At the same time glue is rolled down each side of the flute, so that is sticks to the liners. Once corrugated cardboard is formed, it is then trimmed to provide straight edges.

4.     Cutting

Now that you have complete corrugated cardboard, it is time to cut the card to size, depending on the box requirements. There is a comprehensive guide, and many of the machines are programmed to cut the cardboard to scale automatically depending on production demand. Once the basic outline has been cut, the card is then sent to a trimmer.

The trimmer is designed to deal with intricate aspects that the cutting machine cannot handle. A trimmer can add handles to boxes and cut flaps that are needed to construct the box. The trimmer also scores the cardboard, making it easier to fold when the box is ready for assembly.

5.     Assembly

Assembly will depend on the requirements of the box. The use of flaps and slots may be best for business who want to construct their boxes on demand. As well as these, boxes built with tape are often efficient to be constructed as and when they are required. Usually, for more robust boxes, glue and stitching are used to fold sections together and keep the box secure.

Specific innovative machinery can construct boxes for you on demand. For example, Ribble Right Size is an on-demand box making machine. It creates the perfect size box depending on your needs to reduce waste and ensure the best fit. The box is constructed for you which can significantly reduce packing production time.

After assembly, offcuts can be recycled to continue in the chain of box making. After the boxes have been branded, printed and utilised, they can be recycled and create a continuous cycle of recycled box manufacturing.

 

Why Is Cardboard The Best Packaging Material?

Posted on by definitionconsulting

Is cardboard the best packaging material? Its popularity is evident but why?

For businesses of any size, you need to be sure that your products are well-protected. Not only do you need to make sure that items have great packaging to prevent damage, but there are also a wealth of other considerations to think about. Aspects of packaging that you may consider could include its environmentally-friendly credentials, aesthetic qualities, practicality and ease of transportation.

Here we look at some of the many reasons that cardboard consistently comes through as an excellent material for packaging

Five reasons why cardboard is the best packaging material

1.     Versatility

Cardboard can be creatively adapted to suit a range of products in varying shapes and sizes. Utilising advanced designs, cardboard packaging can have multi-uses or create forms never thought possible.

In some cases, brands have created their cardboard packaging to offer a further use after packaging. This extends the life of the product and shows the brand’s commitment to less waste. For example, clothes brands can use cardboard packaging which can be transformed into clothes hangers, giving consumers a further use out of their packaging.

With its versatility, you have to option to package many products using the same material. For example, Ribble offer on-demand box making technology, Right Size, so you can have the right box for your product and save on wastage.

2.     Ideal branding

While plain cardboard can be an effective packaging design in itself, cardboard can easily be transformed through colour, shape and branding. Cardboard is easy to print on or embossed to create genuinely personal packaging.

Using colours and logos, cardboard can quickly be transformed from dull packaging into vibrant and exciting protection that makes your brand easy to identify. Consider cardboard as a blank canvas, upon which you can convert with your wording and imagery to make your products fly off the shelves.

3.     Recyclable

Another considerable advantage of cardboard packaging is the fact that it is recyclable. For consumers, this brings many benefits as it is easy to dispose of and does not need special treatment to get rid of it. Most councils will pick up cardboard through their recycling collection programme, while there are many places to recycle cardboard across the UK.

What’s more, cardboard can be made of recycled material too. At Ribble, all of our boxes are made from 100% fully recycled material as well as being recyclable at the end of life also.

4.     Cut transportation costs (and the carbon footprint)

As cardboard is lightweight, it makes means the packaging does not add too much to the weight of the product overall. With lighter packaging, it makes products easier to transport and more cost-effective as you save on fuel when you save on weight. By saving on fuel, your transportation costs can be significantly reduced. Not only do you see cost-savings, but you can also reduce your carbon footprint by using less fuel.

In terms of transportation, cardboard is also very durable making it the best packaging material for business. It helps to prevent moisture from infiltrating the product; this is an essential factor for products that need to withstand long transportation times, as well as protecting food products.

5.     Cost-effective

Compared to many other packaging products, cardboard is an extremely viable option for businesses of any size. Cardboard is considered particularly cheap compared to more expensive packaging solutions such as plastic. If assessing solutions such as corrugated cardboard, then these are highly affordable as they require less material than normal cardboard, yet still give robust protection and are lightweight too.

By ordering cardboard in bulk, you can often save considerably on your packaging costs. Also, as cardboard packaging is usually delivered flatpack, you can order in bulk but still have the room to store it, so it is there when you need it, but does not take up an excessive amount of space.

Choosing cardboard for your packaging solution

If you are trying to find the perfect material for your packaging needs, then speak to the experts at Ribble. Ribble offers a wealth of cardboard packaging solutions that are recyclable and versatile. From standard boxes to bespoke packing systems, Ribble can help to ensure you have an innovative packaging solution that meets all your needs. What’s more, Ribble work with all manner of businesses, offering competitive solutions for small and large companies.

Find out more by getting in touch.

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.

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.

[vc_cta h2=”Resell at full value returning immediate profits” h2_font_container=”font_size:20px|color:%23000000|line_height:24px” h2_use_theme_fonts=”yes” shape=”square” style=”flat” add_button=”right” btn_title=”CALCULATE YOUR SAVINGS NOW” btn_style=”flat” btn_color=”theme_style_2″ btn_align=”right” btn_i_align=”right” btn_i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-chevron-right” btn_add_icon=”true” btn_button_block=”true” el_class=”third_bg_color” css=”.vc_custom_1495115428452{padding-top: 30px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;}” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true” btn_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fribble-pack.co.uk%2Frestore-revenue||”][/vc_cta]

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.

[vc_cta h2=”Resell at full value returning immediate profits” h2_font_container=”font_size:20px|color:%23000000|line_height:24px” h2_use_theme_fonts=”yes” shape=”square” style=”flat” add_button=”right” btn_title=”CALCULATE YOUR SAVINGS NOW” btn_style=”flat” btn_color=”theme_style_2″ btn_align=”right” btn_i_align=”right” btn_i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-chevron-right” btn_add_icon=”true” btn_button_block=”true” el_class=”third_bg_color” css=”.vc_custom_1495115428452{padding-top: 30px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;}” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true” btn_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fribble-pack.co.uk%2Frestore-revenue||”][/vc_cta]

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.

Copyright © Ribble Packaging Ltd.
Designed by Definition Consulting