Metalworking Production & Purchasing Profiles Value of Reusable Packaging

In the current issue of Metalworking Production & Purchasing, manufacturing journalist, Thomas R. Cutler, discuss the value of reusable packaging.  The feature article is titled, “Employing Reusable Pallets and Containers Can Reduce Costs.”  Cutler asserts that ultimately the profitability drives the decision to move toward reusables. It is precisely how many Canadian Purchasing managers are improving the bottom-line.   Puslinch, Ontario based Numatech Industries Inc. is the leading converter of Corrugated Plastic products in North America. The company has several strategically located conversion facilities, providing corrugated plastic products to our customers. These products include O.E.M component parts, Printed Signs, Displays and Returnable Packaging in the form of corrugated plastic partitions, sleeves and totes. Numatech worked with David Madden, President of ContainerExchanger.com, who acknowledged that, “Initial investment in returnable packaging may cost more that one-time use packaging. However, savings are often quickly realized with returnable packaging because bulk containers, metal bins, and totes are used repeatedly and there are reduced labor costs with reduced or eliminated box assembly.” Additional cost-savings are realized through used reusable packaging including reduced material handling achieved with fewer moves from stackable containers, increased efficiency in floor space usage since plastic and metal containers can stack very high, and enhanced quality since there are fewer rejects due to damaged packaging.

Used Plastic Reusable containers provide the most cost-efficient shipping approach possible; corrugated one-way packaging is the least effective and most costly. The quasi-e-Bay model of Container Exchanger positively impacts both the buyer and seller of packaging. The average price per trip for a corrugated one-way package is 54 cents versus a used plastic reusable container at 2 ½ cents.

The per piece packaging costs for used bulk containers and totes can be as low as 5% of the costs for a comparable expendable solution, depending on shipping volumes. Returnable containers provide a way to reduce costs and increase productivity in handling and distribution because the containers can go from processors to distributors to retailers efficiently.

Used pallets can take many different forms. Each pallet may be made from different materials and have different structural properties. There are plastic Export Pallets that are specifically made for the export market. These pallets are made from plastic, and therefore, they meet international shipping guidelines (while wood pallets must be heat treated before they are shipped internationally). Plastic pallets are often more durable than wood pallets, because they are generally all molded in one piece, while wood pallets require nails to hold all the pieces together.

Product handling is reduced with some of these returnable containers because produce is often packed directly into containers where it remains until purchased by the general public. Reduced handling eliminates product damage possibilities.

Container Exchanger (www.containerexchanger.com) is dedicated to the sale and resale of reusable packaging and containers. The firm resells folding bulk containers, metal storage bins, plastic industrial totes, plastic pallets, and used gaylord boxes nationwide. When a company is finished using a returnable packaging fleet, Container Exchanger represents the seller and finds a buyer for the used bulk packaging. Sellers enjoy a high sales price for a better return on investment. Buyers save significantly in comparison to new packaging prices.

Container Exchanger

www.containerexchanger.com

David Madden, President

pr@containerexchanger.com

404-551-5599