In a modern, competitive market, companies need creative ways to reduce expenses. Many businesses focus on quick, large-impact cuts and overlook small, incremental savings. One of the easiest and fastest ways to cut costs is to optimize your packaging material usage. Check out these five simple ways to improve the packaging you use every day without risking damage during shipping.

1. Right-Size the Containers

A box is a box, right? As long as it gets your product from point A to point B, it works. Not necessarily. Finding the perfect fit for your product is one of the best ways to protect your product while saving money at the same time.

Look at the shipping boxes you currently use to make sure you are not wasting any space. Then consider making your product’s container a bit smaller to allow more of your product to fit inside the same shipping box. More products in the same size box will save you on physical packaging, shipping, inventory, and warehouse costs.

Also, consider customized packaging to fit your unique product. This ensures you use only the amount required — no more, no less. This can eliminate waste in leftover materials, reduce packaging inventory, and offers the added benefit of a beautiful design to make your product stand out from the rest when it is on display at the stores!

2. Focus on Stretch Film

If you use stretch film to secure your packaging, make sure you are using the right type of film, the right machine, and the right number of wraps/rotations to secure your pallets.You may not need a thick film if a lighter, higher-performance film that stretches further may be the solution. You might not need to wrap the pallet 20 times; maybe ten wraps will keep your product safe in transit. In addition, over time, stretch machines need maintenance to keep them running properly. New gears help properly disperse high-quality, high-performance stretch film. The cost upfront will save you in the long run.

Group O has a process called the SMART Audit® that allows you to optimize your stretch film for your business. We do a pre-audit survey to find out your current process. Then we analyze your facility and stretch process in person. From the data we collect we can plan and optimize your current processes. We then monitor, maintain, and continue to optimize to ensure you're always using the write stretch film product for your business. Stretch film is always changing, and new offerings become available. We can make sure you're always in top shape with your stretch process.

3. Tackle Your Tape

When you use the right tape and properly train staff to apply it correctly, you can save a lot of money and time. Finding the cheapest product is not always the best solution. Savings can go out the window if your operators apply five passes when one pass will do with the right tape. There are numerous tape offerings from pressure-sensitive tape to reinforced tape. The type of tape to use depends on your product and load. Our team can assist you in finding the right tape for your application. 

You can also save with an automated taping system. The right tape and tape equipment can control costs and eliminate human application error during the production process. 

4. Secure Your Pallets

If you are shipping full truckloads of your product, you need a solution to secure your pallets. Dunnage air bags are an affordable solution to secure the load, absorb vibration, and eliminate voids in containers and vehicles whether you are transporting by road, rail, air, or sea. By placing these air bags between pallets during transit, you reduce or avoid product damage, saving you significant time and money.

The right pallet for your product is another consideration. Group O can assist in sourcing the right pallets for your loads. We offer stringer pallets, block pallets, skid pallets, and custom pallet solutions. If you're looking to increase sustainability, recycled pallets are another option. Talk to our team to ensure you're securing your load properly from the bottom up. 

5. Get an Expert Opinion

Your job is to run your business. You know you need packaging and it could probably be more efficient, but it is hard to know what to do and how to do it right.

Are you using the correct weight of material? Is there too much wasted space inside your shipping container? Are your equipment operators properly trained and consistent? All of these questions can be answered through packaging audits performed by trusted experts and make it easy for you to save money and work smarter.

Although many of these changes will not even be noticed by your customers, those that are may even appeal to more environmentally aware or budget-conscious customers. And there are many more ways to make small changes that will add up to big savings in your packaging. You don’t have to do it alone. At Group O, we are here to help you analyze your packaging process to find ways to save money and work smarter. Call today to learn more. You can reach our packaging team by calling 866-476-8761.