Topic 5: Packaging and
Material handling
Lecturer: Tran Le Anh Duy
To illustrate how product characteristics affect
packaging and materials handling
To discuss packaging fundamentals such as
packaging functions and labeling
To identify select issues that affect packaging
Learning such as environmental protection and packaging
inefficiencies
Objectives
To learn about unit loads and the unit load
platform
To explain materials handling principles and
materials handling equipment
Packaging and Materials Handling
The wrapping material around a Material handling is the movement,
consumer item that serves to protection, storage and control
contain, identify, describe, protect, of materials and products
display, promote and otherwise
make the product marketable and throughout manufacturing,
keep it clean warehousing, distribution,
consumption and disposal.
Product Characteristics
Physical Characteristics
Substance
Density of
form (solid,
bulk
liquid and
materials
gas) Chemical
Ability to Characteristics
withstand
Respiration exposure to
elements
Product Characteristics
Physical Characteristics:
Substance form
1. Solid
2. Liquid
3. Gas
Product Characteristics
Respiration: Perishable
Product Characteristics
Product Characteristics
Sensitive to Ethylene
Packaging Fundamentals
Building-blocks concept
Smallest unit is consumer package
Each unit is stocked within the next larger one to protect the
product
Packaging Fundamentals
Some of the many packaging fundamentals include:
1. Functional trade-offs
2. Packaging testing and monitoring
3. Labeling
Why do we need to package products?
Packaging Fundamentals
Functional trade-offs
Packaging serves three general functions
To promote MKT: colorful, beautiful design
To protect Logistics: safe, easy to be handled, stored or
transported
To identify (label) the relevant product
Packaging Fundamentals
Packaging design decisions involve a number of
departments within an organization
-Quality Control Minimise loss and damage
-Manufacturing Convenient with the producing capacity
-Marketing Attractive and colourful to encourage purchase
-Warehousing and Transportation Minimise space
utilization.
Packaging Fundamentals
Packing luggage
Pack these stuff into this box in such a way
that your facilities won’t be damaged during
transportation, loading and unloading
processes. Present your packing method.
Note: Besides these stuff, you can add any
further supporting things but not affecting
too much to the weight of the whole
package.
Packaging Fundamentals
• Package testing and monitoring
– Three important kinds of information needed to
properly design protective packaging system
UPS Package Testing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVf1SukgJzk
Packaging Fundamentals
Package testing
Packaging Fundamentals
• Labelling: is any written,
electronic, or graphic
communication on the package or
on a separate but associated label.
– Many regulations govern labeling
• Weight
• Specific contents
• Instructions for use
– Regulations differ from country to
country and from state to state
Packaging Fundamentals
Labeling
Batch numbers: document for us the
date the item was made. Code the
product
Instructions for use
One- or two-dimensional bar codes
Smart labels or RFID labels
Packaging
Fundamentals
Packaging Fundamentals
Labeling - Hazardous
Materials
Governmental regulations
address labeling of hazardous
materials
• Requirements involve
– Labeling
– Packaging and repackaging
– Placing warnings on shipping
documents
– Notifying transportation carriers in
advance
Issues in Packaging
Environmental Protection
Reduce packing materials used Minimise package
waste
Use packaging materials that are more environmentally
friendly with recycled content
Use reusable containers
Packaging materials must be tested carefully to ensure
good quality
Goods must ensure its safety
Goods must be easy to be handled, stored or transported
Labels must be clear and show enough information
about the goods’ characteristics. The label should be
printed and affixed outside of the package
Exercise:
1. Choose one product and describe the way that you pack and protect your product when
distributing and delivery
2. Is there any label that you always want to stick on your packages? Why?
Issues in Packaging
Packaging inefficiencies can have a
number of undesirable logistics
consequences including:
Increased loss
Increase damage
Slower materials handling
Higher storage costs
Higher transportation costs
Issues in Packaging
Packaging’s Influence on Transportation
Considerations
─ Carrier’s tariffs and classifications influence the type of
packaging and packing methods that must be used
─ Carriers established classifications for two main
reasons:
Packaging specifications determined by product density
lead to the best use of the equipment’s weight and volume
capabilities
Carrier specifications for protective packaging reduce
likelihood of damage to products thus reducing the loss
and damage claims filed against the carrier
Unit Loads in Materials Handling
A unit load (unitization) refers to consolidation
of several units (cartons or cases) into larger
units to improve efficiency in handling and to
reduce shipping costs.
Handling efficiency can be facilitated by
mechanical devices (pallet jack or forklift) as
well as by using a pallet or skid.
Types of Material Handling Equipment for
Warehouse in INDIA -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBWPIByO
EfI
Unit Loads in Materials Handling
The Unit Load Platform
Basic unit is a pallet or skid
Can be constructed from wood,
wood composites, plastic, paper,
and metal
Each pallet material has
advantages and disadvantages
Should be less than 50 pounds
Pallet or skid alternatives
Slip sheet
Shrink-wrap
Unit Loads in Materials Handling
Unit Loads in Material Handling:
Inflatable dunnage bags
Unit Loads in Material Handling
Material Handling Equipment
Two categories of handling equipment
Storage
1. Shelves
2. Rack
3. Bins
Handling
1. Conveyor systems
2. Lift trucks
3. Carts
4. Cranes
Materials Handling
Material handling equipment can also be categorized
as:
Labor intensive
Mechanized
Automated
Sufficient volume is needed to justify high cost of
automated equipment
An organization’s order picking and assembly system
can also influence the type of handling equipment.
Picker-to-part systems: The picker-to-part method is
commonly found in many warehouses. The process involves
a storage area, a picking area, and a material
handling system that refills the picking locations from the
storage area
Part-to-picker systems: A materials handling approach for order
picking where the pick location is brought to the order picker (e.g.,
carousels).
Automated storage and retrieval system
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIn0GWlYDdc
Automated storage and retrieval system: An automated storage and retrieval system
consists of a variety of computer-controlled systems for automatically placing and
retrieving loads from defined storage locations.
Case study
https://packagingeurope.com/amazon-frustration-free-packaging-incentives-kim-
houchens/
What are customer thinking about Amazon Packaging strategies?
What are solutions Amazon use to solve this issue?
What Mr Kim Houchens think about Excessive Packing?
How smaller boxes can help Amazon to gain more profits? Also give me your thoughts on
this.
Exercise
1. What environmentally friendly packaging strategies might a firm
adopt?
2. What are the key considerations for an organization considering to
use either labor, mechanization or automation?
Unit Loads in Materials Handling
Advantages Disadvantages
Additional protection Provides large quantity that sometimes
is of limited value to resellers dealing in
smaller quantities
Pilferage is discouraged Must use mechanical or automated
device to move
More fragile items can be stacked inside Must use mechanical or
the load automated device to
move
Mechanical devices can be substituted Lack of standardization in
for manual labor terms of pallet size
