In today's economy and business climate, companies of all sizes are optimizing manufacturing and distribution processes, outsourcing elements not within their own core competencies, catering to a fragmented customer base and attempting to succeed on a global scale. These business practices translate into three trends within the packaging industry that may have an impact on mail center operations: the design of packaging materials that promote efficiency, speed and cost savings.
The packaging industry is keeping pace with the needs of mail centers by providing new materials, which are versatile, easy to use and help cut costs essentially providing mail centers with the tools they need to accomplish more with less.
Efficient, Effective, Practical, Pragmatic
Recently skyrocketing to buzzword status, it seems the terms "efficient" and "effective" have more meaning today than they did just a few years ago. And, putting these buzzwords into practice has become a top priority for many businesses. To help implement efficiency in the mail center, packaging companies have designed materials that have multiple uses.
Mail center managers want versatility. In terms of packaging, this means having packaging materials that can be used in a variety of ways or used to package many different items. Mailers, especially padded or rigid mailers, are the perfect example of versatility. Not only can mailers be used for documents and presentations but also for books, VHS tapes, small electronics and gifts the possibilities are nearly endless. Mailers also eliminate the need for a shipping container, and many are available with peel and seal closures that allow items to be packaged quickly.
In addition to versatility, protection is key to effective packaging. Having to complete the same task twice is the epitome of inefficiency, and mail centers do not have the time or resources to replace and resend items that are broken or damaged during shipping. Using packaging materials that provide the optimum amount of protection for the item enclosed is ideal. Wadded up newspapers or other loose-fill materials will no longer suffice. New foam-in-bag systems produce sturdy foam cushions that provide that product protection throughout the mailing process, ensuring fewer returns due to broken items.
Fast, Quick, Swift, Immediate
In the mail center environment, the time allotted to train employees on how to package items or how to use a specific type of packaging system is limited. Packaging must be completed quickly, requiring the materials are easy to use and the packaging systems are simple to operate. It is vital all mail center employees, whether temporary or full time, are able to quickly and easily understand how to utilize all of the packaging materials and systems.
New developments in packaging help to eliminate the guesswork. Many new systems, such as foam-in-bag and inflatable cushion systems, are designed to operate at the touch of a button. These systems automatically produce the respective cushions with minimal operator interaction and are designed to be small enough to fit within the limited space of a mail center, fitting on or next to a table and requiring no more than two square feet of space.
Also, packaging materials are becoming easier and quicker to apply to products in the mail center. The latest developments in air cellular cushioning eliminate the tedious task of wrapping individual items in multiple layers of packaging material. For example, air cellular cushioning products include bags with adhesive strips that enable items to be placed inside and sealed without the added time of wrapping the cushioning around the item before placing it in the container.
Cost-conscious, Economic, Budget, PNL
As companies are forced to watch the bottom line more closely, a mail center must also do its part to reduce overall operational costs. Packaging systems and materials that are versatile and easy to use can help cut costs on the front end, but mail centers must still contend with rising postage costs and express delivery charges. Taking note of this, the packaging industry has developed protective packaging that will not increase the overall weight of the package. Air-filled cushions are a prime example of this type of packaging. These cushions can be used to fill void space in a shipping container without impacting the weight of the overall package. Saving a few cents on postage for each package can add up to significant savings long-term, which could have a positive impact on the bottom line.
Assist, Consult, Confer, Support
With so many choices and packaging options available, it is important that mail center managers stay abreast of the latest developments in packaging, which might help them achieve their goals of efficiency, speed and cost savings in the mail center. Reading industry publications, frequently visiting packaging companies' Web sites and attending industry trade shows are great ways to stay informed. Also, many packaging companies provide one-on-one consultation and free support to help mail center managers weigh options and optimize operations including on-site visits to mail centers and distribution centers to evaluate current practices and recommend ways to make them more efficient.
Although packaging is only part of a mail center manager's responsibilities, the selection of the type of packaging to use can have a significant impact on the day-to-day activities within a mail center and on its business as a whole. Managers do not have to go it alone. There are packaging options and resources available to help them meet global shipping demands.
William Armstrong is a graduate of the School of Packaging at Michigan State University and has over 30 years of experience within the packaging industry. He is currently technical development manager for Sealed Air Corporation. For more information, contact www.sealedair.com.
