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Summary of this article

Packaging management often requires more capacity, space and working capital within manufacturing companies than is immediately visible. Employees order packaging, monitor stock levels, resolve shortages and organise return flows, even though these activities are generally not part of the company’s core business. As a result, valuable time is lost that could otherwise be spent directly on production and customer value. At the same time, costs remain tied up in inventory, storage, handling and inefficient processes.

Lean manufacturing therefore involves more than reducing waste on the production floor. It also requires a critical assessment of which supporting processes should remain in-house. By centrally organising the design, procurement, inventory management, cleaning, maintenance and return logistics of packaging, an organisation can improve availability and reduce disruptions. Reusable and standardised packaging can also help reduce material consumption, limit variation and create a more predictable logistics flow.

For operations, procurement and supply chain teams, the key condition for outsourcing is transparency and control. The organisation must retain insight into costs, performance, stock levels and responsibilities, while a specialised partner manages execution and optimisation. In this way, packaging management becomes part of a broader Lean approach, with less capital and operational space tied up in packaging, employees able to focus on core activities, and the entire supply chain becoming more efficient and easier to manage.
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Focus on your core business

What really are the core activities of your (production) business? And what else do you do besides that? Chances are that those peripheral tasks disrupt your (production) process considerably, sometimes without you being aware of it. What if you outsourced all peripheral processes? Then you would be left with a slimmed down and efficient business model, and you could focus your business on your core processes. In other words: Lean & Mean manufacturing, where you strive for optimal flow and maximum value for your customer.

Medewerker van Faes bewerkt een verpakkingspaneel in de productiehal voor maatwerk transportverpakkingen die bijdragen aan de veilige opslag en het vervoer van lithium-ion batterijen.

Packaging isn’t part of your core business either

What does a packaging specialist like Faes have to do with this; you may be thinking? Well, packaging is probably not part of your core business either, so it’s a good idea to take stock of what your current packaging process is costing and generating. Think mainly of handling costs such as the design of the packaging, the purchase of the packaging (and possibly the interior), the logistics involved in booking the ordered packaging, inventory management and the assembly of packaging.

Outsourcing pays off on so many levels

This secretly involves a lot of hours on an annual basis. It also means that the hours your employees spend doing this cannot be spent on things that are really important for your core business. But think also of the space that the storage of packaging costs (and the risks). This can be done much smarter. It may initially seem more expensive to outsource secondary processes such as packaging management, but in the long run in many cases it actually pays off. Quite simply, what you put your attention to, you get better at. Thus, this Lean approach not only makes your processes more efficient, but also increases the quality within your company in many areas.

Transparency is the key

When you have outsourced your peripheral tasks, how do you get the most out of working with this partner? As far as I’m concerned, transparency is the key word in this, and that’s what we stand for at Faes. What goal do you want to achieve? How can we play a role in that? That role is often greater than you might think beforehand. Because we are not just a packaging supplier, we are your ‘partner in packaging’. Besides various logistics and packaging services (such as fulfillment, repair and cleaning, return logistics) that you can outsource to us, we are also happy to take a close look at your packaging process.

Packaging management: Lean & Mean throughout the supply chain

Together with you, we can make your company more efficient. We do this by looking at the total packaging policy in your entire chain. We call this packaging management. Would you like to know more about this? My colleagues and I would be happy to tell you more. Ask your question or schedule an introductory meeting with us by filling out the form below or contact us directly.

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Bart Burmanje

Bart Burmanje

Sales Manager

Bart Burmanje is Sales Manager at Faes and focuses on sustainable solutions with wood and cardboard. With his knowledge of circular materials and years of experience in industrial packaging, he helps customers find the right balance between protection, sustainability and logistical efficiency.

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This is how we create the ideal packaging together

Good 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.

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