An incomplete set of requirements for your packaging leads to higher costs, lower productivity and a weaker image. By recording all the details in good time and involving all stakeholders, you can prevent inefficiency, damage and customer dissatisfaction.
Summary of this article
In a previous blog, I talked about the importance of having a set of requirements when developing custom packaging. In this blog, I tell you about what the consequences can be when you have packaging developed based on an incomplete requirements package. And what you can do to avoid this.
If you don’t pay enough attention to putting together your package of requirements, the prerequisites and assumptions may not be right. As a result, the final packaging may not be satisfactory. And if your packaging is not optimal, this can lead to damage. Damage to your product or in the form of unnecessarily high costs for transport and storage. But image damage is also a serious risk if you repeatedly fail to deliver your product undamaged to the customer.
Below I further explain three key risks:
Packaging that does not meet the required standards can lead to higher costs in several ways. Examples include:
You may not immediately think of this, but delivering packaging that isn’t optimal can put a big dent in your corporate image. Consider:
Your project could be seriously delayed if the packaging turns out to be inadequate. If you do take the packaging into use, it will affect your company’s productivity. Packaging that does not meet all logistical requirements or that delays operations is inefficient. For example, because packing and unpacking takes an unnecessary amount of time. So it is important to consider in your set of requirements all the links in your supply chain and how productivity is affected by the packaging.
The product is almost ready, the product deadline is approaching. Now all that remains is packaging! There is no time for details and halting the project for the packaging is not an option. Time pressure then leads to concessions and a less successful end result.
It happens regularly that things change during the product development process. But unfortunately, it also happens regularly that those changes do not make it into the requirements package. This can have major consequences. Of course it is important that the packaging meets the correct specifications.
In outline, the package of requirements states what the packaging must meet, but the descriptions are not sufficiently concrete or detailed. For example, a maximum weight is stated, but it is unclear whether this is inclusive or exclusive of the product. Inadequate information or information that can be interpreted in multiple ways can lead to wrong choices in packaging development.
It’s not always feasible to involve all users of the packaging when you’re drawing up the requirements package. Or to fully visualize the route the packaging will take in the supply chain. Then it is not sufficiently clear what risks the packaging will encounter along the way.
Knowledge of packaging materials is indispensable to properly translate the package of requirements into the right packaging solution. Too often it turns out that choices made are not feasible in practice. For example, because of the properties of the chosen material. The packaging turns out not to protect the product as well as hoped in these circumstances. Only then does it become clear that packaging is a profession in itself.
Getting started on your requirements package? Here’s how to tackle it!
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Harold Pijs has been with Faes for more than 30 years and is Manager of Customer Service. As the driving force behind inside sales, he ensures reliable customer communication and a smooth order process. His experience makes him an indispensable link in customer-oriented service.
More articles by Harold PijsGood 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.
