Many companies encounter pitfalls when developing industrial packaging. Packaging that is involved too late, incomplete requirements or a lack of expertise often lead to higher costs and inefficiencies. Early involvement and specialist knowledge enable you to avoid risks and increase the value of your product.
Summary of this article
The main function of packaging is, of course, to protect its contents. But that packaging affects every link in your supply chain, you may not have known! Packaging can affect the time-to-market of your product, your logistics costs, employee safety, communication with customers and so on.
Reason enough, with all parties involved, to devote sufficient time and attention to packaging development. Unfortunately, during the process of packaging development, things can also go wrong on many fronts. The good news? If you are aware of these pitfalls, they can be circumvented.
Therefore, in this article I have listed for you 4 pitfalls known to us:
If you are not satisfied with your packaging, there may be various reasons for this. Packaging experts at Faes confirm that most complaints arise because the requirements were not fully or adequately communicated at the start of the packaging development process.
Communicating your requirements may seem straightforward, but in practice this is where things often go wrong. For example: you’ve had packaging developed that appears to tick all the boxes. It’s compact, lightweight, the interior is fully bespoke for the users and the exterior fits perfectly with your company’s corporate identity. Nothing to complain about, right?
Until it turns out that the packaging faces all sorts of challenges on its way to its destination: different modes of transport, handling, laws, regulations and logistical standards. What’s more, it turns out that the packaging cannot withstand the extreme heat in the destination country. In short, insufficient consideration was given to the entire packaging supply chain.
Of course, my colleagues and I ask as many questions as possible regarding the application, the destination and the conditions the packaging will be exposed to. Nevertheless, it is wise to give some thought yourself to the set of requirements and to answer the question, ‘What will the packaging encounter along the way?’, in detail.
Often, packaging development is only initiated once the product – the contents – is already complete. This means that packaging development is then separate from the development of the product that is to be packaged. As a result, packaging may end up just outside the standard logistics dimensions (cube module) because this was not taken into account during the product development phase.
Even a relatively small increase in volume per box can mean that fewer products fit onto a pallet. On an annual basis, this can drastically increase transport costs and thus significantly affect the final product price (competitiveness) and/or margin.
In short: involve your packaging specialist in this process at an early stage.
Some companies choose to have their industrial packaging – just like the new product itself – designed by their own engineer. That may sound logical and cost-effective, but this engineer lacks the necessary expertise, meaning a wrong decision can easily be made. Consider, for example, the choice of materials, ergonomics, legislation and environmental impacts. It is no coincidence that there is a degree course in the Netherlands called ‘Packaging Design and Management’.
Packaging specialists are up to date with all the specific developments and ‘best practices’ in the market. Particularly when the packaging challenge becomes more complex, it may be necessary to think ‘outside the box’, and that requires experience. Faes’ engineers possess the right skills to deliver an optimal product.
In the world of packaging, every material – whether for the outer shell or the interior of the packaging – has its own set of properties and limitations.
These include physical properties (such as shock absorption, robustness and water resistance), as well as the flexibility of the production process (minimum volume). Without in-depth knowledge and experience in this field, choices may be made that, whilst theoretically possible, have a much better or more cost-effective alternative in practice.
In this case too, it is therefore advisable to involve a packaging expert at an early stage in drawing up the specifications and the design.
At Faes, we do not view packaging as simply a box to contain a product, but as part of the entire supply chain within which that product must function. Particularly in the case of industrial applications, high-tech equipment, defence products or fragile components, packaging must do more than simply provide protection during transport. It must be suited to the product’s intended use, handling, storage, safety requirements, logistics processes and any applicable standards or specifications.
That is why, at Faes, we combine packaging development with bespoke engineering, production, assembly and, where necessary, testing and specification. We contribute our expertise early on in the process regarding the correct construction, materials, usability and manufacturability of the packaging. This ensures we do not end up with a theoretical design that needs to be adapted later on, but rather a robust and practical solution that is tailored to both the product and the conditions in which it is used.
Whether it’s a bespoke transport crate, reusable industrial packaging, a solution for mission-critical applications or support with technical requirements and certification: Faes helps to make packaging a reliable part of your operations.
So by avoiding the 4 pitfalls above, you not only improve packaging and packaging development but also product and product development. Investing time in developing the best packaging for your product pays off. It saves costs and increases the added value of your product!
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Robert Verboven is Sales Manager at Faes and advises customers on smart packaging solutions within the industry. He translates complex packaging needs into practical solutions that contribute to a more efficient supply chain.
More articles by Robert VerbovenGood packaging doesn’t just happen by chance. Using a tried-and-tested approach, our specialists guide you step by step from the initial idea to the finished product.
