Editor’s Note : The content of this article was originally delivered as part of the Reusable Packaging Association workshop at PACK EXPO Las Vegas in 2011.
By Andrew DeWitt, Senior Business Analyst, TOSCA Ltd., and Reusable Packaging Association Member
Reusable packaging can deliver cost savings, increased material handling efficiencies and reduce a company’s environmental footprint. However, the implementation of reusable packaging will have a significant impact on many internal processes as well as those of suppliers throughout a supply chain. The changes that result from converting to a reusable program can touch many people and the work they do. From workers on a line who fill the reusable containers with product, to suppliers who interact with the containers, to transportation staff. If a company decides to manage the cleaning, repairing and sorting of the reusables in house, there will be new processes and procedures to create and support. Because reusables require new processes in material handling at many places along a supply chain, a company must undertake careful planning and thorough training in order to be successful. This article will help you:
• Map and review an existing supply chain
• Map future supply chain with reusable packaging
• Test and refine the new business model
• Prepare for successful implementation
Read more at www.reusables.org.
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