Is your business packing smart?

Has your company seen a shift to online orders because of the pandemic? Are you wondering how you can cope with another ‘peak’ in orders within the same size packing area? Read on if you are one of them, because you may be experiencing the same pain felt by many other businesses like yours.

Slower packing times as the area becomes congested with an increasing volume of orders
Reduction in efficiency owing to social distancing
An increase in damages or breakages
Delays in despatching resulting in unhappy customers
A feeling of frustration or guilt that you are using excess or unsustainable packaging

If this resonates with you, we may have some top tips that will help ease these pain points and could dramatically increase productivity.

Saving Space in your packing area

Packing areas can become very busy very quickly, and when this happens space can become the number one problem. Areas can quickly become messy and unproductive if there is a lack of room to move, and obstructions often causing health hazards, breakages and reduce staff morale.

The good news is that there is a fix for this. Hub Packaging design bespoke workstations and conveyor systems, that can help you streamline your operation. We can work with you to design an integrated packing system that takes account of your pick, pack and despatch processes, and increase the number of parcels you despatch out of the door – even in the most space restricted areas.

Our team of experts can either visit your site to learn your needs, or from a plan produce layouts showing you exactly how a scheme would look in your environment. The design, production, installation and maintenance of this equipment is all carried out by our in-house team.

Our new integrated HexcelWrap Bench has been developed as a direct result of customers asking for ways to speed up their processes during the pandemic. The HexcelWrap packing bench provides a space saving haven. Not only is the storage of packing materials virtually eliminated, the HexcelWrap – a paper alternative to bubble wrap – is on hand to dispense right at the point of use, and uses no valuable bench space.

Housed under the bench, the Hexcel paper is simply passed through a pair of rollers and dispensed onto the bench at the optimal position for the packers. To reload, a section of the bench lifts up and allows rolls to be replaced easily and ergonomically. Watch this clip here to see what it looks like:

Paper-Cushion Packaging

The ‘Protega Protect’ is a unique desktop paper machine producing high volume ‘on demand’ protective paper-curshion packaging. The footprint of the slimline Protega machine is not much larger than an office printer and fits easily into even the smallest despatch area. Alternatively, it can be placed on a height adjustable stand and integrated into a packing line.

One unique feature is that the paper rolls are pre-folded. This means that they are easier to handle than traditional wide paper rolls. This has enabled the machine to be manufactured to a very small footprint of only 635mm x 360mm and at a weight of only 50kg.

At 14.8KG the rolls are safe to handle by anyone and easy to load on to the machine.

Saving time by automation

Many retailers are citing that speed of packing is their main constraint at peak times. Integration helps you to remove the waste of your scarcest resource – time.

Hub Packaging have over 43 years experience helping companies across multiple industries to speed up work flow and design integrated solutions that improve operator working comfort as well as increase productivity.

From the beginning we work with you to make sure we have an in-depth understanding of your requirements. Following the information gathering phase we offer proven ways of streamlining your processes and maximising the storage and positioning of supplies and equipment. In many cases we have been able to virtually double the output of a packing area by reducing operator movement whilst enhancing working environment.

Simple ways Hub Packaging can help you have a fully automated and productive packing area:

Consultation & Design

We carry out an initial survey to gain an operational overview of your organisation. We look at workflow, materials handling and packing requirements and configure an efficient and safe work area. Subject to input from all project stakeholders and agreement on the final design, a fixed cost will be given.

Manufacture

At Hub Packaging we can manufacture bespoke equipment to meet the needs of your packing environment.

This can include bespoke packaging benches, conveyor systems and storage systems and, if relevant, all in combination with the Protega/HexcelWrap systems and other equipment.

Install

Hub Packaging offers full installation of integrated systems and will work with you to produce a detailed plan to minimise disruption to your operation during installation. We also offer full after sales and service back up.

New Build

For new warehouses we can advise and help you plan the despatch area, including requirements for integrated conveyor systems, pack benches, void fill machinery, security cages, and supervisor stations.

Any company project manager looking for support to create a design for the operations of a new warehouse can be assured of our collaboration with your project team to create the best and most efficient solution possible.

Training

We recognise that to get the full benefit of any installation training is essential. As well as training on the use of equipment we spend time to understand your current packing process, and offer advice on how to implement standardised packing methods that maximised protection and reduces cost.

Speeding up your box sealing process

There are many options for speeding up your taping process including no tape at all! Here are some examples that are guaranteed to save you time in your packaging process:

Gummed Paper Tape – Reinforced Gummed Tape has unbeatable strength and can be dispensed through an automatic dispenser. The wet gum adhesive soaks into the cardboard and fuses the tape to the box. Within a few minutes of application, it is extremely difficult to remove. The starch-based glue is completely soluble in water, and no solvents are used in its manufacture. Also, the adhesive gum breaks down easily in the recycling process.

Self-Adhesive Kraft Paper Tape – Self Adhesive paper tape is 100% biodegradable and recyclable. The glue consists of a natural rubber-based adhesive which is suitable for use in environments as low as -40 degrees. Crucially, the paper tape sticks to itself, which means the paper tape is just as flexible in use as plastic alternatives. This paper tape is available in both a 50m roll length and a 100m roll length – the 100m Roll results in higher efficiency due to fewer roll changes.

Available in 50mm and 75 mm widths our paper tapes fit standard tape guns, so there is no need to invest in new tape dispensers. Both these tape options mean using less and speeding up your process.

Becoming 100% Sustainable NOW!

There are many reasons and benefits to becoming sustainable, here are just a few:

• Sustainable packaging shows you are taking your corporate social responsibility seriously

• It enhances your brand and encourages returning customers

• Decreases carbon footprint and lowers shipping costs

• It optimises packaging and reduces waste

• Helps secure the future of the planet

Companies are becoming increasingly aware of the need for sustainability to be reflected in the packaging they use, and are starting to take action. Clearly preserving the planet for the next generation is in everyone’s interest, but you can also reap the additional benefits of reduced costs, reduced breakages, and improved customer satisfaction.

We are continuously innovating with our customers to find smarter and faster ways to pack and create eco-friendly packaging that will excite your customers and bring them back to you again and again.

Find out more about our approach to Waste Reduction before it’s even been created here:

http://bit.ly/Hub-Precycling

Shop at Hub Packaging

Our online store has a wide range of products that will enable you to cope with the increased demand for online orders. Our range of sustainable solutions are robust whilst helping to you reduce the volume of excess packaging.