During 2020-23, many Distribution Centers faced significant issues due to packaging problems, affecting both outbound shipments and inbound returns. Packaging can considerably impact productivity, customer satisfaction, and space management despite being considered a minor aspect of warehouse operations.

Numerous facilities encounter common problems, such as empty carton space, excessive use of fillers, unpopular non-recyclable materials, and insufficient automation. These problems can cause headaches for businesses that must scale up their Ecommerce operations quickly.

To ensure that your packaging automation process can keep up with the evolving e-commerce store landscape, it's crucial to focus on four key areas: reducing empty carton space, minimizing fillers, using recyclable materials, and investing in automation. By prioritizing these areas, businesses can streamline their packaging process, increase efficiency, and improve customer satisfaction.

Establish Packing station

A common issue that many businesses face, particularly those with limited experience in shipping individual customer orders, is an inefficient packing area. Although not strictly part of the "packaging automation" process, it is essential.

While a simple table may have sufficed in the beginning, it's now time to invest in a proper packing station. A professional packing station should provide adequate storage for cartons, fillers, tape, printers, and other necessary items while also being ergonomically designed for ease of use by the packer.

For instance, Transpak Equipment offers a variety of professional packing stations that are ideal for businesses seeking to improve their packing processes. Investing in such equipment is crucial in ensuring that your packing staff is equipped to meet a higher standard than last year.

Measure your Cartons right!

It's important to note that there's yet to be a definitive answer when determining the ideal number of carton sizes for your business. However, having too few or too many carton sizes can lead to inefficiencies. Fortunately, modern software, often integrated into Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), can help optimize the number and type of cartons needed for each order. By using a dimensioning scale and considering the total dimensions and weight of the items being packed, you can determine the most appropriate carton size for each order, leading to several benefits, such as better product protection, reduced waste of space and packing fillers, and lower transportation costs.

RRR in Packaging Solutions - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

It's crucial to be mindful of where you source your package fillers, wrappers, and other packing materials, as this matters for numerous reasons.

Firstly, consumers are increasingly vocal about excessively using plastics, excess paper, or messy fillers. The worst outcome is an unsatisfied customer who declines to order again due to poor packaging. Waste reduction and recyclability are more critical than ever, especially as consumers witness a rise in packaging solutions due to increased E-commerce usage.

Secondly, reverse logistics should be noticed in the early stages of the E-commerce store experience. However, when 10-20% of your outgoing orders come back as returns, it's crucial to have packaging that can be reused or easily broken down and recycled. The returns process can be highly labor-intensive, and customers need to be trained in packing optimization and tape usage, so reusable packaging solutions benefit the breakdown process.

Automation in Packaging

Consider the source of your packing materials, such as fillers, wrappers, and other materials, for several reasons. Firstly, customers are increasingly vocal about the excessive use of plastic, paper, or messy fillers in packaging. Inadequate packaging can result in unsatisfied customers who may not order again. Therefore, waste reduction and recyclability are more crucial than ever, especially as E-commerce continues to increase.

Secondly, reverse logistics should be considered early in the E-commerce process. When a significant percentage of orders are returned, it's vital to have reusable or recyclable packaging. The returns process can be labour-intensive, and customers may need to pack items optimally so that reusable packaging can benefit the breakdown process.

On the higher end of the scale, there are now options to automate packing using machines that create the box required for each order. The Quadient solution can pack up to 1,100 parcels per hour. While workers are still needed to place items into the machine's feeder, the machine scans and folds perfectly sized cut cardboard around the objects, sealing them for shipping.

Although such automation may be excessive for many E-commerce businesses, it's worth considering for those with plans for significant growth in their direct-to-consumer business.

Does your business have packaging problems?

Understandably, last year's focus for your Ecommerce business was on getting orders shipped out the door. However, now that your business is established, improving supporting processes can lead to more profitable shipments and less strain on your team. At 13Sqft.com, we have Professional and process-driven approaches which can be implemented to improve the efficiency of your Ecommerce operations. If you have any questions, ideas, or solutions to share, our team is always available to assist you.