Reusable Plastic Shipping Solutions in the Supply Chain
The supply chain is becoming increasingly complex. With product and material life cycles shrinking and demands from customers rising, manufacturing companies are seeking a way to manage their supply chain successfully for improved profitability.
The positive news is that businesses who find a way to master their supply chain can experience significant profit margin increases.
Reusable plastic packaging from Reusable Transport Packaging can and will improve the movement of products along the supply chain in nearly all industries, allowing a business to reduce expenses and achieve optimization. Whether shipping filled plastic beverage bottles; automobile components; delicate computer circuit boards or finished products, reusable plastic solutions help you move products quickly and safely!
Plastic packaging can be integrated a single production operation or the entire supply chain to replace corrugated cardboard shipping and storage boxes and limited-use wood solutions. Manufacturing companies will find a rapid return on their investment, many in less than a year and a half.
In the example, we will take a look at a basic supply chain model and address how any company, regardless of industry, can use a reusable plastic packaging program to improve financial performance.
What type of reusable plastic packaging is available from Reusable Transport Packaging?
Reusable plastic shipping solutions are used to store, move and distribute products within a single facility or in an entire supply chain. From material components to finished products, reusable plastic packaging securely moves materials along points in the chain. The ultimate goal is to see materials or a finished product through to its final destination. Durable plastic is the best option for multi-trip applications in a closed loop production environment or a well-managed supply chain. Plastic packaging can also be used in an open loop manufacturing system if there are reverse logistics in place to manage the return of all empty shipping containers for re-use or repair.
Reusable plastic packaging from Reusable Transport Packaging can include:
- Plastic bins.
- Reusable totes.
- Reusable plastic boxes.
- Durable plastic containers.
- Plastic pallet top caps.
- Durable plastic pallets.
- Protective plastic dunnage.
- Bulk plastic storage containers.
By design, reusable plastic shipping solutions offer:
- Durable, rigid construction.
- Smooth surfaces.
- Comfortable handles.
- High levels of recyclability.
- An array of identification options.
Plastic bins and pallets are easy to handle, and they interface effortlessly with most types of high-speed automated manufacturing equipment. There are specific models that are produced to be hands-free and operate just through the use of automation. Reusable plastic containers and pallets contain no screws or loose flaps to halt a high-speed manufacturing system. And, in industries with high-volume production, hundreds of thousands of dollars can be lost when an automated manufacturing system is stopped.
Reusable plastic shipping solutions are available in standard sizes, making it possible for components, products and any production materials to be loaded to optimize the use of packaging. The end-result is an increased volume of inventory being produced and shipped in a shorter period.
Reusable plastic packaging and its role in your supply chain.
A necessity in supply chain performance is improving the way in which materials are handled. This includes the flow of a product that begins with the design and purchase of materials and progresses with work in process, shipping, distribution and storage.
To achieve optimal benefit, the collective and aggregate impact across the supply chain will need to be reviewed. Doing so will allow you to identify opportunities for savings and ways to improve efficiencies that are not likely to be considered during department-specific enhancements.
Every supply chain will differ and have its unique levels of complexity. Business owners will want to analyze their chain to identify areas of waste, and then implement change to develop operational benefits. Most businesses will cite improvements in operational efficiency as a top priority. Efficiency can be reached through introduction of a well-planned reusable packaging plan from Reusable Transport Packaging.
Reusable plastic packaging improves the way products flow along the supply chain, thereby reducing costs for the business. Top United States companies long ago recognized the value of reusable plastic shipping solutions in their efforts to move products quickly, securely and more cost-effectively.
You will need to look at the supplier.
At supplier locations, ideas like warehouse utilization; workplace safety and product quality are definite concerns. As they ship products, components or materials to their customer, product quality and efficiency in transportation is the key.
In the manufacturing supply chain, products can also typically be shipped to cross-docking locations to combine all varieties of products for consolidated shipments going to a single facility. In the customer goods supply chain, it is also possible for a supplier to send finished goods directly to their regional distribution center for disbursal. In both situations, on-time delivery and the condition in which products are received is a priority. Distribution and ongoing production simply cannot be stopped due to faulty packaging or damage to products.
How does this apply to the manufacturing plant?
Within the walls of a manufacturing facility, space utilization, worker safety, improved workflow, smooth interface with automation and ergonomics are top priorities. If additional fabrication is required, storage space will need to be optimized. As the product then moves to a cross-docking location, distribution center or retail store, concepts like warehouse space utilization, workforce reduction and transportation efficiency become key.
Will the same factors matter at a distribution center?
Important concepts in shipping change at a distribution center. Interface with material handling machinery, unload time, damage to products and outbound freight cube efficiency are at the forefront.
A review of the final stop in the supply chain.
In the supply chain, the retail store is the final stop before a finished product reaches its end consumer. A lot of goods are shipped to retail stores in reusable plastic bins to protect products and minimize handling costs. Labor costs, aesthetics and product integrity are the top concerns for stores.
