Packaging change improves order fulfillment
Air-bubble cushioning cuts costs, raises productivity, and eliminates damage for mail-order fulfillment company, Touch of Class.
By Staff -- Modern Materials Handling, 8/1/1999
For twenty years, the Touch of Class catalog has sold upscale products such as bedding, rugs, household furnishings, bathroom ensembles, and women's leisure clothing by mail-order fulfillment.Customers expect items to arrive on their doorstep exactly as depicted in the photographs. However, the polystyrene peanuts the company had been using to protect items were not doing their job. As a result, Touch of Class was experiencing an excessive damage rate.
Touch of Class had previously used a small amount of bubble product to wrap highly breakable items such as mirrors and chinaware.
The company switched to air-bubble cushioning and the results are outstanding.
Since the beginning of air-bubble use in August of 1998, the damage to packages has been virtually eliminated, packaging material costs have been reduced by 20%, and productivity in the packaging department has increased. In addition, the time needed for employees to clean the packaging area has been reduced.
"Customer satisfaction is a priority in our business," says purchasing agent George McCahey. "We want to make sure customers receive our quality items in undamaged and ready-to-use condition. We are confident that switching to the air-bubble cushioning is helping us achieve our positive image goals."
The company uses 1/2-in. air-bubble cushioning to fill voids in shipping cartons. The cushioning is made from linear low-density polytheylene, which provides high puncture resistance, elongation, and tensile strength.
The air-bubble cushioning is mounted on manual dispensing racks positioned between the packaging stations. Racks were already in place because of the previous use of bubble packaging for breakables. The rolls are 24 in. wide, 250 linear feet in length, and are perforated every 12 in. for dispensing ease.
A variety of other packaging solutions such as air pillows was also evaluated. However, available sizes and shapes were not compatible with the company's products. Paper-based solutions such as kraft paper and newsprint fill were also considered but were inadequate alternatives.
Tenneco Packaging 847-482-2202
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