Chapter 15 discusses the role and importance of logistics packaging. This chapter first compares packaging from the point of view of marketing, logistics, and environmental prospects, and then examines the role of packaging in logistics systems from the perspective of protecting cargo security, material handling, and information transfer, and finally focuses on bar code and packaging logos.
Packaging has a great impact on the cost and productivity of logistics systems. The most obvious costs are spent on the purchase of packaging materials, the installation of automated or manual packaging operations, and the subsequent cleaning of packaging materials. However, since the factory is at the other end of the distribution channel, and these costs of purchasing and cleaning up the packaging materials are paid by the factory, the impact of these two costs on logistics costs does not seem obvious. As for the increase in productivity caused by packaging, because it is expanded in the logistics system, the role of packaging in this area is also easily overlooked or underestimated.
Using a systematic approach to managing packaging saves money, but few companies use this method. In spite of this, companies should still understand the method of controlling the entire distribution cost: All relevant costs and transaction costs, including the costs associated with packaging, must all be combined and calculated. Therefore, this chapter will focus on the discussion: (1) Packaging in the logistics system and the role of packaging in the consumer and industrial markets; (2) Three main roles of packaging (improving management efficiency, protecting cargo security, (Information transmission); (3) Traditional packaging materials, emerging packaging technologies and environmental issues related to packaging.
Packaging affects the cost of each logistics activity. Inventory inventory control relies on manual or automated identification of system accuracy. And identify the effect of the ease of operation. The operating cost is determined by the grouping and operating methods. Package size and density directly affect shipping and storage costs. Customer service is determined by the packaging, which affects the quality control in the distribution process and affects whether it is convenient for customers and compliance with environmental regulations. Packaging flexibility can be achieved with strategic packaging flexibility. This method is very important. It increases the length and complexity of the global supply chain and the cost of arranging equipment.
Section 1 Packaging Types and Design
Packaging is generally divided into two categories: one is consumer packaging, which is a packaging that emphasizes the market; the other is industrial packaging, which is an emphasis on logistics packaging. The following discusses the design issues for the two packaging types.
First, consumer packaging (emphasis on marketing)
The final packaging design often considers manufacturing and marketing requirements while ignoring logistics requirements. For example, transporting goods such as assembled motorcycles will result in a significant reduction in packing density. Low density packaging means high transport rates and high storage requirements. Consumer packaging design emphasizes customer convenience, market attractiveness, and product safety. In general, ideal consumer packaging (such as high-capacity or special-size packaging is easy to attract the attention of consumers) is not suitable for the logistics system.
Second, industrial packaging (emphasis on logistics)
Individual goods and components are often grouped in boxes, bags, boxes, or barrels to increase the efficiency of operations management. These containers are used to group scattered goods. These two concepts will be discussed further in this chapter.
MCS and grouped goods provide the basic management unit for the logistics system. The weight and volume of the MCS in the production line determine the requirements for transportation and material handling. If the design of the package does not fully take into account the effective logistics, then all logistics systems will be affected.
The main factor in determining the size of the MCS should not be retail sales. For example, when the beer is sold, it is usually sold in groups of six containers. However, when packing, 24 groups of beer are often loaded in the MCS. Its main purpose is to facilitate the handling and transportation of materials.
The importance of packaging standardization can be illustrated by examples of the footwear industry. The logistics and distribution system transports the shoes from the warehouse to the retail store. Multiple pairs of shoes are put into cartons (cartons can be repacked). This way, the different sizes of cartons with shoes are reached at the retail store.
The warehouse sorts shoes according to the sorting list of the warehouse. The sorting list lists the requirements for the style and quantity of the shoes. The shoes are sorted out in the warehouse, loaded into the cartons, and then the cartons are manually put on the four wheels. Forklift trucks are then transported to the shipping area, where they are finally loaded on trucks and shipped to retailers. Throughout the shipping process, the sorting list provided all the shoes. It was impossible for the retail store to decide what kind of shoes should be installed in each carton.
Material handling can be seen as an overall system. The overall system management procedure requires the use of a standard box for shipment, and the shipping box cost is adjusted by the method of picking and the change in material handling. The design of the overall system should be carried out in two aspects: one is the selection from the warehouse to the delivery of the vehicles, and the standardization of the shipping box should be standardized to suit the continuous conveying motion; the other is to use a computer to process the entire system to ensure each standard. The utilization of the box is maximized.
In the overall system, each cartons has a sorting list. After placing one pair of shoes into the box, the sorting list is attached to the cartons so that the goods contained in the boxes can be indicated to the retailer.
In the retail store's warehouse, the standard box also brings convenience. Since the goods in each carton can be clearly known, finding shoes of a certain style and size does not need to be searched in many boxes. The standard box also improves the stacking efficiency and reduces the degree of congestion in the warehouse. In addition, the ease of identification of cartons' goods facilitates the filling of retail inventory and commodity records.
Since each box can only be reused three times, the new overall system requires the constant purchase of the MCS, which incurs additional costs. Although this system has increased the cost of purchasing MCS, it has greatly reduced the cost of other aspects, such as reducing the number of picking workers, improving the efficiency of the continuous movement of goods from the box to the car, and effectively increasing the vehicle carrying capacity. The utilization rate. Since the internal volume of each MCS has been fully utilized, the ineffective space of the MCS is greatly reduced. And the design of the standard box size is in line with the requirements of the car, so it also reduces the inefficiency of car transportation. In short, the total cost of the material handling system is reduced both from the perspective of the warehouse and from the point of view of the retail store.
This example illustrates the system approach and total cost principles of logistics planning. Among them, the most important is that MCS standardization is conducive to the overall efficiency of the entire system.
The size of the MCS is often more than one, so the separation of these box sizes must be very careful. The four standard sizes are shown in Figure 15-1. The sizes of the four MCSs are compatible and can be made into standard components.
Of course, the logistics needs to be considered cannot completely determine the packaging design. The ideal material handling and transport packaging is a cube that maximizes the length, width and height of full cargo. But in fact, such packaging rarely exists. Packaging design should consider logistics requirements, processing and manufacturing, marketing, and product design requirements.
One of the key issues facing packaging design is how well the packaging protects the goods. Packaging plays a role in protecting the goods, and packaging design determines the degree of protection of the goods. The packaging design should just reach the level of protection required, without excessive protection, so as not to increase the cost of packaging.
Occasionally, a situation occurs where the packaging design satisfies the function of the packaged item but does not provide the necessary protection. To design a satisfactory package design, it is necessary to: first understand the extent of possible damage, and then separate the design items from each other to see if these designs can provide protection.
The final packaging design requires a decision based on a large number of tests to ensure that the specific design meets the requirements at the lowest cost. These tests can be done in the laboratory, but they can also be tested during shipment. In the past decade, the packaging design method has become very scientific. Due to the development of test equipment and measurement methods, test analysis has become the most reliable method of measurement.
When the packaged goods are in operation, a new type of test recording device can measure the degree and characteristics of its vibration. This test equipment can be measured by selecting samples. However, this test form is expensive and difficult to carry out on a scientific basis. Therefore, in order to improve accuracy, the computer environment can be used to simulate the activities of a typical packaged goods in the logistics system. As for the implementation of room equipment can be used to determine the impact of packaging design and packaging materials on the collision of fragile goods.
In general, packaging has three main functions: protecting goods, improving efficiency, and information transfer. Each function is discussed separately below.
Source: China Logistics Bidding Network