Be the Boss of the Q4 Rush!

6 Ways to Prepare your Packaging Operation for Q4
The accelerating growth of online retailing has enormous implications for distribution and fulfilment specialists. Smart planning before the peak will help to ensure that your packaging operation delivers maximum throughput with minimum labour. Businesses are preparing for what is going to be another ground-breaking growth year – especially with the rise in popularity of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Here we have outlined 6 ways that you can prepare your packaging operation for peak:

 

1. Ensure your Packing Area is Ergonomic
A well laid out packing station will ensure your packers are achieving maximum throughput. It’s important to make sure packaging materials are easily accessible for the packer and that they have enough packaging to fulfil an entire day of packing. Packers should be well trained. To ensure that items are being packed quickly and efficiently, you might want to consider implementing a standard set of packing operating procedures ahead of peak.

 

2. Optimise your Packaging Range
Less is more. When it comes to shipping, using the right amount of packing materials will save you money. Using too much and over-packing adds expense and can even lead to damage. If the sides of the box are puffing out, it’s overpacked. If your packing material spills out of the box as you’re trying to seal it, it is over-packed. Consider rationalising the range of different packaging materials you have on hand to save on space and cost.

 

3. Optimise your Storage Space
Faced with the demand for operational excellence in a very competitive market-place, logistics providers need to take every opportunity to reduce picking times and increase the capacity of their warehouse space. One option is to use bespoke pick bins, which have been introduced by several operators and are proving to be effective tools to achieving these goals, without the need for significant capital investment. For temporary use, pick bins are easily erected and provide a flexible and cost-effective response to peak demands and increasing SKU storage needs. When not required, they can be easily dismantled, and stored for future use.

Keep control of your packaging
Faced with the demand for operational excellence in a very competitive market-place, logistics providers need to take every opportunity to reduce picking times and increase the capacity of their warehouse space. One option is to use bespoke pick bins, which have been introduced by several operators and are proving to be effective tools to achieving these goals, without the need for significant capital investment. For temporary use, pick bins are easily erected and provide a flexible and cost-effective response to peak demands and increasing SKU storage needs. When not required, they can be easily dismantled, and stored for future use. For temporary use, pick bins are easily erected and provide a flexible and cost-effective response to peak demands and increasing SKU storage needs. When not required, they can be easily dismantled, and stored for future use.

Make sure that you have just the right amount of stock in the warehouse and consider using a stock and drip feed service to ensure you are never out of stock during the unpredictable peak period.

 

4. Increase Packaging Throughput
There are many different ways to automate your packaging operation – whatever the budget. Simple tools such as tape machines, stretch machines and automatic void fill dispensers can help your packers get more parcels out of the door – without compromising on quality. Fast packing void-fill alternatives such as the AirWave PW1, can also be used as an alternative to large rolls/bags of bubble wrap and loose-fill.

 

5. Reduce Costs involved in Forward Logistics
There are many ways to improve carriage costs by using more efficient packaging. Making sure smaller letterbox-able items fit through the customers letterbox, first time, will not only please them but will also reduce carrier tariffs and increase transport yield. Consider optimising your box sizes for better pallet utilisation. This will not only save costs, but also contribute to improving your sustainability.

 

6. Improve the Overall Customer Experience
The customer is king and it is really important to deliver the ‘WOW’. Make sure that parcels are presented to customers and not just delivered.

Your packaging should reflect your brand.
As well as printed cartons and tape/strapping, why not consider printing your branding on the inside? This way, you lower the risk of pilferage and still delight the customer when they receive their item.

Make parcels easy to return.
If the customer changes their mind and wants to return the item, it’s really important make the returns process as simple as possible. Make sure it is easy for the customer to seal up the package so that it arrives back safely.

Make sure items arrive securely
There is nothing worse than a customer opening an item to realise that half of it has been taken out of the box. Consider using Tamper Evident solutions.

Explore environmentally friendly solutions
It is important for your business and your customers to ensure that your packaging is environmentally friendly. Consider using recyclable options that are easy for the customer to dispose of in an eco-friendly way.