Suttons packaging yields a greener, leaner solution for leading diagnostics business.

Dec. 13, 2010 - PRLog -- Suttons Performance Packaging in Cambridgeshire has helped a Fortune 500 global medical diagnostics business achieve a near 8% saving on packaging material cost, whilst pioneering a switch to the use of 100% recycled cardboard as part of the solution development.

In addition, the new packaging, used in the shipment of reagent cartridges used with medical instrumentation in hospitals and research laboratories across Europe, meets ISTA 3A drop testing standards to ensure product integrity when de-palletised and shipped by parcel carrier as an individual consignment to each site.  

Initially, the challenge was to address the problems in the central warehouse caused by product overhang on the pallet, restricting the full utilisation of the pallet racking, married to the difficulties experienced loading pallets for transportation to regional distribution centres.  

Suttons encouraged the client team to take the opportunity to review all aspects of a total redesign of the cartridge packaging, not only to optimize pack sizes, but to also look at environmental considerations.  
 
As a result, Suttons set out the following project objectives.

1. Reduce the pallet ‘foot print’ and height to resolve warehousing storage and space utilisation issues.
2. Facilitate double stacking on a standard European articulated trailer.
3. Through redesign, endeavour to achieve an overall cost reduction of 5% on annual cartridge packaging spend.
4. Manufacture the new packaging using cardboard made from fully recycled material and ‘eco-friendly’ polyethylene cushioning.
5. Achieve drop test certification to ISTA 3A to maintain the negligible ‘out of box failure rate’ achieved by current packaging.  

The results have greatly exceeded expectations. All the pack variants have been accommodated within the 1200 x 800mm pallet footprint, with a maximum 1250mm overall height. The cost reduction target was exceeded, resulting in a 7.81% reduction on their annual cartridge packaging costs and the cardboard is now made from 100% recycled material.  For the protective cushioning within the pack, Suttons introduced new polyethylene foam with a laminated 4 LDPE film with recycled logo printed on in green to communicate the environmental credentials to end users.  

New shipments began in August and received excellent feedback from the end users of the cartridges.  The extensive drop testing was obviously worthwhile, with no customers reporting cartridge malfunction upon receipt.      

Speaking about the redesign, Suttons Sales Director John Little commented “Helping one of the biggest medical equipment businesses in the world to design, develop and deploy optimum packaging solutions with impressive environmental credentials proves our own credentials in bespoke packaging.

We have the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver environmentally sound, commercially beneficial packaging solutions to companies who value the partnership style relationships we work hard to maintain with all our clients.

Our input has taken cost out the business whilst adding value to their European sustainability programme. I think that’s what you’d call a win/win scenario!”

About Suttons Performance Packaging
Suttons Performance Packaging is a specialist packaging company offering total packaging solutions from foam inserts to complete fabrications, including prototyping and drop testing.

Suttons combine specialist packaging materials, such as Stratocell foam, with expert fabrication techniques to protect high value products in transit and distribution; predominantly in the computer, electronics, audio and medical equipment industries.

Suttons have been a Sealed Air Approved Packaging Partner for over 20 years.
As one of the leading specialist packaging companies in the UK, understand the need for companies to work with and trust in professional packaging businesses. As such, the company is seen as a seamless extension of its clients’ procurement and logistics supply chain.

From the outset, Suttons work with clients to analyse the total cost of packaging procurement and pack effectiveness; factoring in materials handling, storage and warehouse costs, product attributes and all the necessary parameters to protect high-value shipments.

The company is recognised for its expertise and specialist knowledge of packaging materials, production processes and the adoption of innovative packaging solutions. Suttons also pioneered the use of high performance foam in transit protective packaging in the UK and continues to explore new fabrication techniques and green materials.

For more information contact Simon Sutton or John Little. Tel 01354 693171

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Suttons Performance Packaging is a specialist packaging company offering total packaging solutions from foam inserts to complete fabrications, including prototyping and drop testing.

Suttons combine specialist packaging materials, such as Stratocell foam, with expert fabrication techniques to protect high value products in transit and distribution; predominantly in the computer, electronics, audio and medical equipment industries. Suttons have been a Sealed Air Approved Packaging Partner for over 20 years.