Packaging automation: what's the best solution for my business?

Packaging plays an essential part in logistics, not only in the warehouse but also in the transport of the products to their final destinations. It fulfils several functions from ensuring the safety of the shipment, the protection of fragile products, to its reuse should the customer send the product back. It also plays a role in facilitating order preparation operations and is a vehicle for the brand image of the company that delivers it.
This explains why more and more companies are turning to packaging automation with the aim of increasing their productivity and efficiency. With so many solutions available, drawing up a list of criteria and needs is essential to making the right choice. To help you with your choice, we have put together five standard profiles regrouping the situations observed in the majority of our customers’ companies who have integrated automation into their packaging process.

Packaging automation: what's the best solution for my business?

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Cosmetics production and retail

One of the main characteristics of the cosmetics retail business is the fragility of its products (make-up, bottles, etc.) as well as its seasonality. Promoting brand image is essential to this business sector. There is also a wide range of products on offer (different sizes, etc.) and a potential risk of theft.

Quality and safety

“As a Supply Chain Director for a company who makes cosmetics, my priorities are quality, safety and customer satisfaction. For individual customers and business customers alike, our luxury brand image must also be found in the quality of our packaging.” Marco, Supply Chain Director.

>Products: perfumes, make-up, beauty products, accessories etc

>Customers: private individuals, specialist stores, large retailers

>Delivery: parcel service, freighting

Needs :

High quality protection and wedging materials to keep the products in place
Highly resistant packing boxes to meet difficult conditions during transportation
Secure closing systems for the parcels

Solutions:

Sturdy packaging > PAC 600^® case
Product protection > PAC 600^® shrink film
Reduction of empty space > JIVARO^®

E-commerce fashion and accessories company

This business sector is marked by seasonality (sales, collections, special occasions etc.) and also by a high level of returns. As an e-commerce company, customer satisfaction as well as the company’s image are embodied in the parcel and its timely delivery.

Customer expectations

“Consumer expectations have changed since the mail order era. Customers are now placed at the centre of the supply chain. They are looking simultaneously for choice, products that are available immediately, attractive prices, short delivery times and excellent customer service..” Sophie, Logistics manager.

>Products: clothes, shoes, bags, accessories, etc.

>Customers: private individuals

>Delivery: parcel service

Needs :

The packaging needs to be adapted to the size of the items
Cardboard boxes that are specifically designed to be reused thanks to a closing system suitable for customer returns
High quality boxes for a clean and professional finish

Solutions :

Reduction of empty space > JIVARO^®

Office supplies retail company

This business sector deals with a wide range of products (sizes, formats, colours etc.) and is intended for professionals who require quick delivery sometimes in just 24 hours.

Very short time-scales

“Office supplies logistics requires swift preparation reactivity to ensure 24h deliveries. When faced with very short time-scales and large daily volumes, the watchword
is productivity. The challenge is, therefore, to manage preparation precision and a wide range of references while putting the accent on performance speed and reducing the number of mistakes. ” Paul, Supply Chain Manager.

>Products: stationery, computer supplies, office equipment, telephones, filing, small furniture items, foodstuffs, etc.

>Customers: professionals

>Delivery: parcel service, freighting

Needs :

Good quality wedging for products in a wide range of forms and dimensions
Secure parcel closing systems
Number and size of the parcels adapted to the volume of products ordered

Solutions :

Reduction of empty space > JIVARO^®
100% cardboard wedging > machine P14
Sturdy packaging > PAC 600^® case

High tech e-commerce

Products are fragile, highly exposed to theft and require a high packaging protection. Like every e-business activity, the products availability, delivery time and the quality of packaging are essential for customer satisfaction.

Safety first

“ Driven by the rise of gaming, smartphones and mobile accessories, the High Tech business is experiencing an important growth. Our products are fragile and valuable which expose them to breakage and theft. We must be very attentive to the quality and safety of our packaging without wasting time in doing these operations handly.” David, shipping manager.

>Products: smartphone, electronic device, game console, …

>Customers: private individuals

>Delivery: parcel service

Needs :

High quality protection and wedging materials to keep the products in place
The packaging needs to be adapted to the size of the items dispatched
Secure parcel closing systems

Solutions :

Sturdy packaging > PAC 600^® carton
Reduction of empty space > JIVARO^®
Product protection > PAC 600^® shrink film
A high level of wedging > P14 cardboard wedging machine

Industrial supplies and spare parts retail company

This type of business has a long list of references and orders are often urgent. Order profiles are very varied from single items to palette loads and sometimes involve handling dangerous goods. Finally, the items are very diverse (dimensions, weight, etc.).

“ Our business combines a large number of references, customers who demand excellent service and fast same day or next day delivery. Our packaging procedure must be both meticulous and extremely responsive. ” Nadia, site director.

>Products: hardware, tools, industrial supplies, spare parts

>Customers: professionals, craftspeople, sales agencies, garages, private individuals

>Delivery: parcel service, freighting

Needs :

Very resistant cardboard with corrugations specifically designed to support heavy metal parts
Managing several brands may require the use of a multi-magazine machine

Solutions :

Sturdy packaging > PAC 600^® case
Product protection > PAC 600^® shrink film
100% cardboard wedging > Machine P14
Reduction of empty space > JIVARO^®

Packaging automation: what's the best solution for my business?

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