Concept: Unit Load

Pallets and containers are two most commonly used material handling equipment, used to provide the right material at the right place and within the right cost. Several firms today have adopted just in time programs as a result of which the combination of containers for parts distributed on pallets has gained more popularity. A basic principle of material handling is the concept of unit loads. A unit load is a number of items arranged as one unit, to be moved or handled at one time. In effect, the unit load implies the container and the support platform or pallet. The main advantage of using unit loads is the ability to handle more items at one time. This reduces the number of trips, handling costs, loading and unloading times as well as product damage. The most flexible and multi-faceted material handling systems are the Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and have a variety of functions such as guidance and routing systems to traffic management and load transfers.

Reference:
http://www.materialhandlingblog.com/2006/01/the_concept_of_.html

Concept of Logistical Packaging

Logistical Packaging is the science, art and technology of enclosing or protecting products for distribution, storage, sale, and use. It also refers to the process of design, evaluation, and production of packages. As explained below, the main use for packaging is protection of the goods inside, but packaging also provides us with a recognisable logo, or packaging, we instantly know what the goods are inside.

Purposes

• Physical Protection - The objects enclosed in the package may require protection from, among other things, shock, vibration, compression, temperature, etc.
• Barrier Protection - A barrier from oxygen, water vapor, dust, etc., is often required.
• Containment or Agglomeration - Small objects are typically grouped together in one package for reasons of efficiency.
• Information transmission - Packages and labels communicate how to use, transport, recycle, or dispose of the package or product. With pharmaceutical, food, medical, and chemical products, some types of information are required by governments.
• Marketing - The packaging and labels can be used by marketers to encourage potential buyers to purchase the product. Package design has been an important and constantly evolving phenomenon for dozens of years.
• Security - Packaging can play an important role in reducing the security risks of shipment. Packages can be made with improved tamper resistance to deter tampering and also can have tamper-evident features to help indicate tampering.Convenience - Packages can have features which add convenience in distribution, handling, display, sale, opening, use,reclosing and reuse.
• Portion Control - Single serving or single dosage packaging has a precise amount of contents to control usage. Bulk commodities (such as salt) can be divided into packages that are a more suitable size for individual households. It is also aids the control of inventory: selling sealed one-liter-bottles of milk, rather than having people bring their own bottles to fill themselves.

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packaging

Introduction to Logistical Packaging

Logistical Packaging is an important aspect for different kinds of businesses due to a few reasons.
Firstly, it can help to prevent damages from the cargoes and help to avoid theft cases of the cargoes. Also, we are able to know what kind of contents are inside by looking at the descriptions and labels outside the packages.
Furthermore, the time being used on the packaging of cargoes and the money that is spent on the packages must be of balance. For example, if a company spends a small sum of money to buy low quality packages, the time needed for the cargoes to be packed into a good and durable package which prevents damage will be longer than expected. This will in turn reduce the efficiency of the company.

Reference:
http://www.reingexeeni.edu.es/en75.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packaging

Objectives

Our Objectives for this blog are stated as follows:

-To understand fully the latest types and trends of packaging.
-Aims to let our readers get a better understanding of Logistical Packaging.
-Know more about latest types and trends of packaging.
-Readers would be able to gain knowledge of the importance of Logistical Packaging.
-This blog will facilitate us throughout this module, Distribution Centre Management.