Delivering Safe and Cost Effective Packaging Solutions
The highly globalized vehicle industry takes advantage of advanced manufacturing, development, and logistics flows, but its complexity requires a variety of packaging materials. Without the right packaging solutions, vehicle parts could be damaged during shipment, and transport costs could get out of control. At Nefab, we help businesses to create customized vehicle part packaging and shipping solutions in order to protect products while minimizing costs.
Types of Automotive industry Packaging
When it comes to shipping automotive parts, there are two main types of packaging used by manufacturers: expendable and returnable.
Expendable Packaging
Expendable packaging is disposable, and it is made out of materials like paper, plywood, wood, or corrugated cardboard. These types of products are generally viewed as single-use packaging solutions that will be recycled or thrown out after the vehicle part reaches its final destination. A regular disposal process for materials needs to be incorporated into the lifecycle of the manufacturing and packaging process.
Returnable Packaging
Returnable packaging solutions have been designed for reuse in manufacturing and distribution systems. With this type of packaging, the need to purchase disposable packaging – which will need to be recycled or routed to a landfill – is reduced or eliminated entirely.
Returnable packaging includes reusable racks, pallets, bulk containers, dunnage, and hand-held containers. Plywood containers, plastic containers, steel containers and pallet collars are also popular, and use of these packaging solutions come with a wealth of benefits:
- Reduction of packaging waste
- Improved control of inventory due to box tracking
- Protection of valuable vehicle parts due to packaging rigidity
- Reduction of the carbon footprint
- Protection from contamination and moisture in sealed boxes
- Parts protection and ergonomics
A returnable packaging system is best suited for closed logistic systems with fixed arrival and distribution points. The general rule is the longer the logistics leg, the less practical it becomes to return returnable containers. Most returnable packaging within the automotive industry circulates around short loops, and by replacing a one-way packaging solution with a returnable alternative, both expendable and returnable waste can be minimized.
