Re-inventing The Unit Load With A Systems Based Approach To Unit Load Design
Millwood is re-inventing the unit load with a systems based approach to unit load design.
That allows us to build the better load from the ground up.
What's the difference? Traditionally, materials handling and supply chain processes have been designed independent of one another. Packaging departments design pallets, transport packaging and unit loads. Materials handlers design receiving, storage and order fulfillment processes. And transportation departments design shipping processes. Rarely does one team talk to the other until after the fact.
The result: All too often, decisions made to optimize one of those processes results in additional expense in the other two. That not only costs money, it results in wasted packaging that just ends up in the landfill.
Millwood thinks there's a better way. With a systems based approach to unit load design we look beyond the weight of the load to include how that load will interface with materials handling equipment and how it will be transported and handled at each node of the supply chain. We can also factor sustainability into the mix and consider how transport packaging products will be reused or recycled at the end of their journey.
With those inputs, we use software tools* and lab testing to design a package with just the right amount of material to protect the product, make for safe handling and transportation and minimize the use of non-recyclable materials. We can also recommend changes to materials handling and transportation operations that optimize those processes. Think of it as the scientific method for building the optimal load.
And, with a systems based approach, Millwood can not only design a cost-effective unit load, we can also design a sustainable unit load that furthers your green initiatives.
To learn more about a systems based approach to your unit load needs, download our White Paper, Designing The Better Unit Load From The Ground Up.
*Millwood uses Cape Pack Software to optimize pallet designs and is a licensed user of the NWPCA's Pallet Design System software.
For more information, please e-mail a Millwood customer service representative, or us or call us at 1-877-891-9663.