Less time talking, more time innovating

We sent a Letter to China but didn’t get a reply.  We sent a letter to Europe but they didn’t seem interested either.  We asked the Health and Safety teams in China if they could re-open the mills – nothing doing.  We didn’t bother the UK government about the living wage, because we think it’s a good thing it went up.  The paper monopolies simply wouldn’t listen. There was no phoenix in the flames of the mill in the USA.  And so, prices will go up again this quarter on Corrugated.

Should it stop there?  A quick letter, prices going up, we can’t help it, take it or leave it.  It looks like a buyer’s nightmare at first – they are expected to do something, find some saving…

It can be done with one simple habit, the first one developed by Steven Covey – Be Proactive.  Stop focusing on things you cannot change – and start putting time into the things you can!  Cardboard boxes are not all about the price of the box.  There is space to be saved, time to be gained and cash flow opportunities to be exploited.  Your packing process is as much about method as it is about cost.

As a buyer of corrugated, you can’t be expected to know it all.  Your looking to your Supplier to provide that.  Are they proactive?  You should expect your corrugated supplier to:

• Check that your cartons are being made in the best mill.  Each mill has its own speciality.

• Review your packing process and offer ideas on time savings, method and machines.

• Review your cartons – are they over specified?  Could a new shape or design save money and time?

• Review your space and cash tied up in cartons – are reductions in stock possible?  Is the right delivery method being used?

To do this, your supplier must have experts, supply chain resource and a will to be proactive.  Don’t waste your effort on trying to find the best option of the 3600 carton possibilities out there – find someone that will do it for you.

If you think that your current packaging could do with being reviewed, please contact our packaging specialists at [email protected] or 0151 486 4800 who will be happy to help