Faes medewerker bespreekt logistieke data en verzendvolumes om de totale eigendomskosten van industriële verpakkingen inzichtelijk te maken.

Topic: Packaging Management

Keeping packaging available wherever your supply chain needs it

When using reusable industrial packaging, it is essential to know where it is, which packaging is available, and when it will be returned. Without this visibility, shortages can occur, even when there is sufficient packaging within the pool.

On this topic page, we explain how to manage a packaging pool, gain visibility into return flows and usage, and ensure that the right packaging is available and ready for use at the right time.

Why this topic matters

Unavailable packaging can slow down your supply chain

Reusable industrial packaging moves between locations, suppliers, customers and service points. As a result, the number of packaging units you own says little about how many are actually available at any given moment. Without visibility into location, usage and return flows, shortages can occur while packaging sits unused elsewhere.

For organisations managing larger packaging pools, effective management is becoming increasingly important. Not only to track down packaging, but also to understand how much capacity is actually available for use and where unnecessary costs or delays occur in the process.

Available stock is not the same as total stock

A packaging unit may be accounted for in your inventory but still be at a customer’s location, in transit or awaiting return. Without making this distinction, you may experience shortages even when you have enough packaging overall.

Return flows determine your actual available capacity

The longer packaging remains outside your organisation, the longer it cannot be reused. Understanding return times and turnover rates helps determine whether you genuinely need additional packaging.

Increased reuse requires better organised management

As packaging is reused more frequently, tracking, return agreements and visibility into usage become increasingly important. You need to know not only whether packaging is reusable, but also how it continues to circulate within your packaging pool.

Lack of visibility leads to unnecessary capacity

When it is unclear where packaging is located or how frequently it is used, purchasing additional packaging is often the easiest solution. As a result, your packaging pool may grow without a corresponding improvement in actual availability.

Why Faes?

Years of packaging expertise

140

Packaging People with the expertise to solve your packaging challenges

1.000+

B2B customers, including in Defence, High-Tech & Medical

Steps from initial consultation to final solution

Expertise in:

Supply chain
PaaS
Poolmanagement
Return Logistics
Tracking & data

Frequently Asked Questions About Packaging Management

Packaging management involves organising and optimising all processes related to industrial packaging. It goes beyond purchasing and packing to include availability, usage, return flows, instructions and responsibilities. When these elements are not properly aligned, they can lead to excess inventory, delays, errors and unnecessary handling.

Want to learn more? Discover what packaging management means in practice.

Want to find out where your packaging processes could be improved? Contact our packaging experts.

The number of packaging units you own does not automatically reflect how many are available when you need them. Packaging may be in transit, located elsewhere or still awaiting return. By better managing packaging usage and movements throughout your supply chain, you gain a clearer understanding of the capacity actually available for use.

Want to learn more? Read how effective packaging management contributes to a more efficient supply chain.

Want to improve availability within your packaging pool? Discuss your packaging management with our experts.

When packaging moves between locations, suppliers and customers, it can quickly become difficult to keep track of. Registration and tracking systems can provide visibility into where packaging is located and which units are being returned. This allows you to take action sooner when packaging remains unaccounted for too long and makes your packaging pool easier to manage.

Want to learn more? Read how RFID and pool management are used in an industrial supply chain.

Want to find out which registration or tracking solution best suits your packaging flows? Contact our packaging experts.

The amount of packaging you need depends on more than just the number of products you ship. Return times, locations, frequency of use and packaging availability all influence the capacity you actually require. Without this visibility, you may end up purchasing additional packaging while existing units remain unused elsewhere or are still in transit.

Want to learn more? Discover 5 opportunities for better packaging management.

Want to know whether your packaging pool matches your actual needs? Let our packaging experts help you find out.

With reusable packaging, it is not enough to organise the outbound journey efficiently. You also need to establish how, when and through which routes packaging will be returned for reuse. Well-organised reverse logistics makes packaging flows more predictable and prevents packaging from remaining outside the available pool for longer than necessary.

Want to learn more? Read how Packaging-as-a-Service combines reverse logistics and packaging management.

Want to better align your return flows with your packaging pool? Explore the possibilities with our packaging experts.

This theme contains 21 Articles , 6 Keynotes and 7 Whitepapers

Articles (21) Keynotes (6) Whitepapers (7)

Uitgelicht

Whitepapers

Control within complex global automotive supply chains

This white paper demonstrates how smart, digitally connected packaging solutions help to minimise risks, maintain control over global supply chains and reduce the carbon footprint. The result: a supply chain that is not only more robust and sustainable, but above all more manageable in a world where mistakes are becoming increasingly costly.

Download whitepaper

Whitepapers

The 8 wastes of Lean applied to high-tech packaging

Many companies optimize their production, but overlook waste in their packaging logistics. When examining the return process through the lens of the TIMWOODS method, it becomes apparent that the real gains are often found in movements, waiting times, and routines that do not add value. Doing less can yield surprising results—in terms of time, costs, and sustainability.

Download whitepaper

Whitepapers

Whitepaper: Packaging-as-a-Service

Packaging ties up capital and requires control over returns and management. With PaaS, you pay for use while the supplier manages the packaging loop. This makes packaging more circular, predictable and easier to control.

Download whitepaper

Whitepapers

What happens to an OEM without an integrated packaging policy?

Without an integrated packaging policy, there is a risk of inefficiency, unnecessary costs and quality issues in the supply chain. Packaging management must therefore be strategically incorporated from the outset in order to maintain value and ensure continuity.

Download whitepaper

Whitepapers

Increase your profitability with Packaging-as-a-Service

With Packaging-as-a-Service, you no longer invest in packaging but only pay for use. This reduces costs, lowers CO₂ emissions and ensures a flexible and scalable packaging process that delivers optimal returns.

Download whitepaper

Whitepapers

Whitepaper: improve the efficiency of your supply chain

Many companies lose margin unnoticed due to inefficient packaging processes and a lack of control in the supply chain. This white paper shows how you can regain control, reduce costs and improve your return on investment in a sustainable manner with an integrated approach.

Download whitepaper

Topic: Packaging Management

Keeping packaging available wherever your supply chain needs it

Why this topic matters

Unavailable packaging can slow down your supply chain

Why Faes?

Expertise in:

Frequently Asked Questions About Packaging Management

What is packaging management, and why is it important for my supply chain?

How can I ensure the right packaging is available when I need it?

How can I prevent reusable packaging from getting lost in the supply chain?

How many packaging units do I actually need in my packaging pool?

How can I organise return flows for reusable packaging?

Uitgelicht

Control within complex global automotive supply chains

The 8 wastes of Lean applied to high-tech packaging

Whitepaper: Packaging-as-a-Service

What happens to an OEM without an integrated packaging policy?

Top 4 problems in packaging industrial service parts

Increase your profitability with Packaging-as-a-Service

Whitepaper: improve the efficiency of your supply chain

All articles

What is packaging management and why is it important?

How does packaging management increase supply chain effectiveness?

White paper: Smart packaging for Scope 3 reduction in FuelEU Maritime

Semiconductors in Europe: seizing opportunities starts with packaging & logistics

How do medical packaging solutions contribute to efficiency?

How do medical packaging fit into supply chain management?

Faes – partner in Printed Electronics

Prevent packaging problems in your supply chain

Why transportation is an important aspect of your product and packaging development

5 opportunities for better packaging management

Packaging management: what is it anyway?

Faes as chain director of logistics ecosystem at Brainport Industries Campus

Lean and packaging: 5 eye openers

Producing Lean & Mean

A lot of money can be saved with Fourth Party Packaging, but how?

More efficient supply chain: the benefits of good packaging management

The supply chain of the future

Fourth Party Packaging (4PP) as an extension of Fourth Party Logistics (4PL)

Brainport Industries Campus chooses packaging optimization with Faes

4PP: what is that anyway?

Smart Packaging: working together on the smart logistics of the future

What we see in practice

Do you know what’s happening in your packaging pool?

What does the PPWR require from your packaging management?

How do you keep reusable packaging available throughout the return process?

What costs are involved in managing a packaging pool?