Packaging logistics is one of the main aspects of supply chain management. We often see that products from the warehouse are being shipped, but there’s a whole story behind the scenes.
One part of this process that often gets overlooked is logistics, and trust me, most of the operational efficiency depends on this. This blog post breaks down what exactly it is and how to streamline your operations. Continue reading!
The product delivery system depends on logistics. There is a whole process behind ordering and shipping products from the warehouse to the final doorstep.
We are talking about sourcing the right boxes and materials, storing them efficiently, making sure they’re available when your team needs them, and coordinating the whole process so nothing falls through the cracks.
It is more than packing your product in a box and preparing it for shipping. You have to think about multiple things, like:
When done right, there will be no issue. But when it goes wrong? That’s when you end up with damaged products, frustrated customers, and a logistics team.
The logistics experience should be good. If you do not do it carefully, you might face a lot of consequences. We have seen companies haemorrhage money because they didn’t think through their packaging strategy, and there might be three reasons behind it.
Most businesses are dealing with issues that nobody talks about, but we are going to talk about them.
Your warehouse probably has way too many different box sizes floating around. Someone ordered them at some point, and now you’ve got a mishmash of packaging materials that don’t quite fit anything perfectly.
This leads to using too much filler material, higher shipping costs because of dimensional weight, and a team that wastes time hunting for the right packaging.
This happens most often when you think. It happens when your purchasing team does not get prepared with production needs, and as a result, shortages and overstock situations occur. Meanwhile, your shipping department is doing its own thing, and nobody’s really looking at the major thing.
Last-minute rush orders create a mess, especially when you are not prepared for it. When you run out of essential packaging materials, you are forced to pay for unexpected things. It’s stressful, expensive, and can be avoided if you do better planning.
It’s possible to fix these issues and streamline things without creating any mess. You have to do these things.
Packaging inventory inspection is a must. Count it and note down what you have and what you are actually using. You might find that 80% of your shipments could use just three or four box sizes. Standardizing your packaging has become a must over time.
Investing in decent inventory management software pays for itself pretty quickly. You need to check into what you have, what you are using, and when you need to reorder. No more guessing games or emergency runs to the packaging supply store.
Even some software helps you in predicting packaging needs based on future orders. So, you don’t need to worry about predicting future orders.
Building solid relationships with your packaging suppliers matters more than you might think. Do not only make relationships with those who provide the cheapest inventory. Look for those who understand your business, can scale with you, and won’t leave you hanging when you need materials fast.
Packaging logistics is an important part of running any business and streamlining operations through it as well. When you streamline these operations, everything else gets easier.
Your team works more efficiently, your customers are happier, and your costs go down. It’s worth taking the time to get it right.
If you are looking for custom printed packaging solutions, contact YBY Boxes Australia today.