We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • ::COVID-19 COVERAGE::
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC.
    • Podcast
    • Blogs
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Best Practices
      • Dispatches
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Logistics Problem Solving
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Public Sector Logistics
      • Two Sides of the Logistics Coin
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • MODEX 2020
    • Upload Your Video
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC.
    • Podcast
    • Blogs
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Best Practices
      • Dispatches
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Logistics Problem Solving
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Public Sector Logistics
      • Two Sides of the Logistics Coin
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • MODEX 2020
    • Upload Your Video
Home » Flush with success
applications

Flush with success

December 21, 2018
Ben Ames
No Comments

As a large plumbing supplies wholesaler with nationwide distribution, Newport News, Va.-based Ferguson Enterprises Inc. is an expert not only at providing top-quality parts, but also at delivering them to customers in mint condition.

Some inventory items are tougher to ship than others, however, and in recent months, the $15 billion company found it was experiencing high damage rates for the heavy porcelain toilets it was shipping via a ground carrier.

In an effort to cut down on the expense of replacing and reshipping those goods, Ferguson turned to its packaging supplier, Salt Lake City-based Packsize LLC, for help. The two firms have partnered since 2012 on packaging solutions and often collaborate on ways to improve shipping techniques.

After analyzing the problem of packaging fragile toilets for safe transit, Packsize recommended a complete overhaul of Ferguson's existing packaging method—a process that involved inserting quick-setting foam into cardboard boxes and which was messy, expensive, and not particularly environmentally friendly. In its place, the company proposed a streamlined solution that would provide better product protection and be much easier to execute: Ferguson would simply create a custom-sized box for every item shipped—using Packsize's On Demand Packaging software and Packsize box-making machine—and then add foam corners made of low-density polyethylene foam.

"Of the many different protective packaging options in the market, we chose to go with polyethylene foam corners because of how well they work with our 'right-size' packaging machinery," said Brandon Henderson, director of systems engineering at Packsize. "We designed a custom corner that can work with Ferguson's spectrum of products and at the same time, reduce material and labor costs while increasing sustainability."

Before launching the new system, Packsize and Ferguson tested the proposed design by doing drop tests and also shipping actual toilets. The results were solid enough to convince the plumbing supplier to put the

TIME AND COST SAVINGS

As for how it's all working out, the new system has done exactly what it was intended to do: reduce shipping damage. Since Ferguson switched to the new packaging, breakage rates have dropped from 5.33 percent to 4.0 percent. That alone would justify the change, but according to Packsize, the benefits don't end there. Along with reducing damage, the new method has slashed packaging material costs by 61 percent, cut the time it takes workers to pack each toilet by 78 percent, and streamlined Ferguson's carton configuration options from four to one. In addition, the foam corners use 85 percent less plastic foam and are suitable for curbside recycling programs.

"Our customers are looking for the most cost-effective means of getting their product to their end users. If fragility happens to be a factor in the shipment, we have found that our Packsize corners are the best option out there to reduce damage to product being shipped," Henderson said. "This solution also helps [shippers respond to] the Amazon effect—it allows you to focus on fulfilling the customer's order as quickly and accurately as possible, rather than having to worry about issues that [are of little concern to] the customer, such as protective packaging."

Material Handling Order Fulfillment & Packing
KEYWORDS Packsize
  • Related Articles

    New Flush Mount LED Work Lights

    Port of Oakland finds success with "electric avenue"

Benames
Ben Ames has spent 20 years as a journalist since starting out as a daily newspaper reporter in Pennsylvania in 1995. From 1999 forward, he has focused on business and technology reporting for a number of trade journals, beginning when he joined Design News and Modern Materials Handling magazines. Ames is author of the trail guide "Hiking Massachusetts" and is a graduate of the Columbia School of Journalism.

Recent Articles by Ben Ames

Walmart launches plan to build micro-DCs inside dozens of retail stores

UPS sells off its LTL and truckload arm for $800 million

Biden Administration names Oberman to chair Surface Transportation Board

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • Cold chain giant Lineage Logistics buys its own rail operator

  • Biden names dozens of senior leaders to DOT, including FMCSA and FRA

  • Outlook 2021: What’s in store for logistics supply chain?

  • Cushman & Wakefield Brokers Sale of 170 Acres plus Lease for 1MSF Build-to-Suit for Home Improvement Retailer in Commerce City, CO.

  • Thriving in the long haul: interview with Colin Yankee

Now Playing on DCV-TV

Sick agv demo thumbnail

Optimize Load Handling Tasks with Industrial Mobile Robots

DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
Intelligent sensors detect the presence of goods, check for empty shelves, or the correct alignment on the mobile platform towards the freight. The solutions range from simple detection sensors, thorough measuring devices, and 2D LiDAR sensors.

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • Proven Benefits: A Compendium of Slotting Optimization Success Snapshots

  • Bridging Information Gaps in Dock and Yard Operations

  • How Intelligent Sensor Solutions Turn Data Into Action

  • Order picking Solutions: Understanding Your Options

View More

Subscribe to DC Velocity Magazine

GET YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2021. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing