Packaging

Learning
Objectives
n To know how product features affect
packaging and materials handling

n To familiarize you with packaging

fundamentals such as packaging functions
and labeling

n To appreciate select issues that affect

packaging such as environmental protection
and packaging inefficiencies

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 Learning
Objectives
n To learn about unit loads and the unit load
platform

n To identify materials handling principles

and materials handling equipment

Protective Packaging and Materials

Handling Key Terms

n Building-blocks n Globally
concept Harmonized
System of
n Closed-loop
Classification and
systems Labeling of
n Cubes out Chemicals (GHS)
n Ergonomics n Materials handling

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 Protective Packaging and Materials
Handling Key Terms
n Packaging n Shrink-wrap
n Pallet (skid) n Slip sheet
n Part-to-picker n Unit load
systems (Unitization)
n Picker-to-part n Weighing out
systems

Product
Characteristics
n Physical Characteristics
n Substance form (solid, liquid, and gas)
n Density of bulk materials
n Ability to withstand exposure to elements
n Respiration
n Chemical Characteristics
n Incompatible products
n Products requiring chemicals
n Characteristics must be made known to
consumers

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 Figure 11-1:
Portion of Fabric
Care Label for
Levi’s Jeans Sold
in Japan

Packaging
Fundamentals
n Building-blocks concept
n Smallest unit is consumer package
n Each unit is stocked within the next larger one to
protect the product
n Packaging
n refers to materials used for the containment,
protection, handling, delivery, and presentation of
goods
n Serves three general functions
n To promote
n To protect
n To identify (label) the relevant product

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Promotional and Protective
Functions of Packaging
• Protective functions of packaging
– Enclose materials
– Restrain materials from undesired movement
– Separate contents to prevent undesired contact
– Cushion contents from outside vibrations and shocks
– Support the weight of identical containers stacked above
– Position the contents to provide maximum protection
– Provide for uniform weight distribution
– Provide exterior surface for labeling
– Be tamperproof
– Be safe for consumers or others

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 Figure 11-
3:
Checklist
for Box
Users

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Package Testing and Monitoring

n A package system requires 3 types of
information to design
n Severity of the distribution environment
n Fragility of the product
n Performance characteristics of various cushion
materials

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Package Testing and Monitoring
n Package testing
n Vibrations
n Dropping
n Horizontal impacts
n Compression
n Overexposure to extreme temperatures or
moisture
n Rough handling

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Figure 11-4: Kaiser Aluminum’s

Moisture-Alert Label

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Labeling
n Labeling
n Retroflective labels
n Batch numbers
n Weight
n Specific contents
n Instructions for use
n Information to allow passage through customs
n Compliance labeling
n One- or two-dimensional bar codes
n Smart labels or RFID labels

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Figure 11-5:
Examples of
Shipping
Labels

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Labeling
• Hazardous Materials
– Governmental regulations address labeling of
hazardous materials
• Requirements involve
– Labeling
– Packaging and repackaging
– Placing warnings on shipping documents
– Notifying transportation carriers in advance
• Globally Harmonized System of Classification
and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) is a global
system to classify and label hazardous
materials.

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Issues in
Packaging
n Environmental Protection
n Reduce packing materials used
n Use packaging materials that are more
environmentally friendly with recycled content
n Use reusable containers (closed-loop system)
n Retain or support services that collect used
packaging and recycle it (closed-loop system)

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Issues in
Packaging
n Metric System
n U.S., Liberia, and Myanmar (formerly Burma) are
the only 3 countries in the world that do not use
the metric system of measurement
n Increasing pressure on U.S. exporters to market
their products overseas in metric units

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Identifying Packaging
Inefficiencies
n Building-blocks concept is useful for analyzing
packaging inefficiencies.
n Packaging inefficiencies can have a number of
undesirable logistics consequences including:
n Increased loss
n Increase damage
n Slower materials handling
n Higher storage costs
n Higher transportation costs

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Table 11-1: A Hypothetical
Example of Packaging Inefficiency

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Packaging’s Influence on
Transportation Considerations
n Carrier’s tariffs and classifications influence the
type of packaging and packing methods that
must be used.
n Carriers established classifications for two main
reasons:
n Packaging specifications determined by product density
lead to the best use of the equipment’s weight and volume
capabilities
n Carrier specifications for protective packaging reduce
likelihood of damage to products thus reducing the loss
and damage claims filed against the carrier

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Figure 11-6: Boxmaker’s
Guarantee

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Unit Loads in Materials Handling

n A unit load (unitization) refers to
consolidation of several units (cartons or
cases) into larger units to improve
efficiency in handling and to reduce
shipping costs.
Source: http://cscmp.org/digital/glossary/glossary.asp

n Handling efficiency can be facilitated by

mechanical devices (pallet jack or forklift)
as well as by using a pallet or skid.
© Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice
Hall 28

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 Unit Loads in Materials
Handling
n Advantages n Disadvantages
n Additional protection n Provides large
n Pilferage is quantity that
discouraged sometimes is of
n More fragile items limited value to
can be stacked resellers dealing in
inside the load smaller quantities
n Mechanical devices n Must use mechanical
can be substituted or automated device
for hand labor to move

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Figure 11-7: Automated Guided Vehicle

© Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Prentice

Hall 30

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Unit Loads in Materials Handling
n Basic unit is a pallet or skid
n Can be constructed from wood, wood
composites, plastic, paper, and metal
n Each pallet material has advantages and
disadvantages
n Should be less than 50 pounds
n Pallet or skid alternatives
n Slip sheet
n Shrink-wrap

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Unit Loads in Material

Handling
n Beyond the unit load
n Use of load-planning software
n Bracing
n Inflatable dunnage bags
n Load is subjected various forces including
n Vibration
n Roll

n Pitch

n Weighing out

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 Materials Handling
n Materials handling refers to the “short-
distance movement that usually takes place
tihin the confines of a building such as a plant
or DC and between a build and a
transportation service provider.”
Source: John J. Coyle, C. John Langley, Jr., Brian J. Gibson, Robert A. Novack, and Edward J. Bardi,
Supply Chain Management: A Logistics Perspective, 8th ed. (Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage
Learning, 2009), Appendix 11-A.

n How the products are handled depends on

whether they are packaged or in bulk
n Handling may change the characteristics of
the product
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Materials Handling Principles

• 10 Material Handling Principles Include:
1. Planning
2. Standardization
3. Work
4. Ergonomic
5. Unit load
6. Space utilization
7. System
8. Automation
9. Environmental
10. Life cycle cost
Source: “The Ten Principles of Material Handling,” www.mhia.org.

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Materials Handling Equipment
• Two categories of handling equipment
– Storage
• Shelves
• Racks
• Bins
– Handling
• Conveyor systems
• Lift trucks
• Carts
• Cranes

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Materials Handling Equipment

n The choice of handling equipment can
influence the type of storage equipment.

n The choice of storage equipment can

influence the type of handling equipment.

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Materials Handling Equipment
n Material handling equipment can also be
categorized as:
n Labor intensive
n Mechanized
n Automated

n Sufficient volume is needed to justify high

cost of automated equipment

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Materials Handling Equipment

n An organization’s order picking and
assembly system can also influence the
type of handling equipment.
n Picker-to-part systems
n Part-to-picker systems

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