The Many Benefits Of Working With Fulfillment Services

There are several benefits in partnering with fulfillment services for businesses & manufacturers.

Many challenges arise when fulfillments are conducted within the company.  The advantages of partnering with fulfillment services are vast and include better bottom lines, improved security, customer satisfaction, and lower inventory & distribution costs.  Not to mention using fulfillment services can save many headaches along the way.

When a company tries to carry out the duties of fulfillment services they begin to face several roadblocks. Disorganization of orders, over compensated inventory levels and the ongoing changes of delivery expectations are just a few of the factors that challenge orders.  Of course customer satisfaction to a business can often determine their success or even survival.  Because of the challenges and needs orders require it only makes sense to leave fulfillment services to the professionals.  Ultimately, leaving it to the experts allows for more productivity on your end, because it allows more focus to be centered on other areas like product development and growth.

Why is it so challenging for companies to complete orders?

One key finding from a study of 589 supply chain execs’ discussion was that many industries face the same problems including those in manufacturing, high-tech, and retail. Across the board, they have claimed that fulfillment orders have become more complicated because customer demands have heightened, and order processing is a narrow road.  Many companies usually have a fragmented multifaceted system in place.  For example, they may have a retail store, a customer care phone line, e-commerce and electronic data interchange services in place. With all these varying channels, it makes it difficult to have a systematic way of tracking all orders.

As one vice president of supply chain operations responded: “Currently, we do not have the ability to create one invoice for a customer that has placed multiple lines of shipping from different facilities. The adoption of new technologies could help give us a better picture of what types of orders are coming in, what our average size is by volume and length, and streamline our invoicing process.” To get a hold of all the data of orders and streamline, it is not cheap either. 

Other problems that occur when businesses don't have a partnership with a fulfillment service provider, is that many companies give unrealistic delivery times, store higher than needed inventory levels, and face high supply chain costs. Also, it is only becoming more rapidly complex to complete orders due to increasing globalization & high e-commerce demand.  All of these challenges threaten the bottom line.

Here’s’ where utilizing a professional fulfillment service can save the day.

1.    Integration & streamlining all orders.  Order complexity was another key challenge for supply chain professionals when managing order fulfillment. This difficulty in managing orders efficiently and accurately has been caused by a number of factors, including the explosion of order capture and fulfillment systems that many companies now operate.  Fulfillment services can integrate the different channels the orders are being placed into for a more efficient outcome and, as a result, track better inventory levels. Companies benefit because it can help lower costs, increase margins, and greatly improve customer service.

2.    They have the capabilities to forecast higher accuracy on delivery.  They are experts and they can determine with greater veracity when the end customer/retailer will receive their order. Naturally this will improve reliability and customer satisfaction that was one priority for those respondents in the study. “39 percent of supply chain executives named inaccurate order promise dates as a top inventory management challenge.”

3.    Better demand management by utilizing capabilities that establish a demand-driven organization with higher service levels and sales, more satisfied customers, and lower inventory and distribution costs.

4.    Continual monitoring.  Fulfillment services will continually monitor your orders and inventory- taking away this responsibility can lead to more productivity in other areas of the business like product development, marketing, and growth. 

To find out more about how Stamar Packaging can provide fulfillment services contact us at custserv@stamarpackaging.com or (630)282-5400.

The Benefits of Custom Corrugated Boxes

If there’s one instance in which a book can and should be judged by its cover, it’s with packaging. In fact, the packaging of a product is almost as important as the product itself. When a company ships an item to a customer, the box in which it’s contained is the first thing the customer sees.

Therefore, it’s a very good idea to consider custom boxes for your products, as the benefits are numerous and significant. They range from aesthetics to economics, and much in between. Here are just some of the many advantages to using custom boxes. 

Size and Pricing

Chances are, your goal is to run your business in the most efficient way possible. So why would you package a product in a box that’s too big? It doesn’t make sense, and yet so many people do it. Instead, shipping items in boxes custom-made to their appropriate size means the elimination of wasted space and shipping materials. Furthermore, as we’ve recently written about, the new dimensional weight pricing method being used by all major carriers is based on package size, with larger packages costing more, regardless of weight. Therefore, custom boxes mean you won’t be charged more than you should be.

Protection

What good is the delivery of a quality item, if it’s broken once it gets there? If you use a custom corrugated box, it’s specifically made to house what’s in it, taking into account the strength and durability requirements. This ensures your product reaches your customers safely every time.

Branding

Once again, before your package is ever opened by your customer, the box is being seen—and not just by the client, but by countless people along the way. The package is the first—and often best—way to get your brand out there, and it’s an opportunity for visibility that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Eco-Consciousness

Eliminating wasted space and materials is great for the bottom line, and it’s also great for the planet. Custom boxes that are efficient have a smaller environmental impact, and take up less space on vehicles, making the transport more efficient as well, which saves fuel. It’s a win/win!

Want to know more about our custom corrugated boxes? Visit our website and contact us anytime for more information. 

Happy Holidays, From Our Family To Yours

For those of us in the packaging industry, this is one of the busiest and most exciting times of the year. The holiday season is especially demanding for us, but once again, we’ve been more than up for the challenge.

That said, we’d like to take this opportunity to thank our loyal customers for their continued support, and wish you all a very happy holiday season.

We’d also like to take a look back at the year, which was a very successful one for Stamar Packaging. Of course, we couldn't have reached this success without our amazing team of dedicated professionals—truly the best in the business. We believe one of the many reasons our employees are so great is their commitment to teamwork and collaboration, both within our facilities, and outside of them.

One of many examples was our participation in the ROC Race in July; even during a torrential downpour, our team members kept smiles on their faces, while running and cheering each other on, and raising money for The Challenged Athletes Foundation.

Whether it’s a fun and charitable activity like the ROC Race, our spring and fall barbeques, or the everyday team- and morale-building, the Stamar Packaging family is dedicated to each other and to our clients.

So as another year comes to an end, we’d like to thank everyone for making it such a good one, while wishing all of our friends and family a very healthy, successful 2015!

Dimensional Weight Pricing: What is it, and how will it Affect You?

If you’ve recently heard about dimensional weight pricing, and are wondering what it is, you’re not alone. It’s a new shipping pricing method that’s going into effect in 2015, and it’s important to be aware of what it means, and more importantly, how it will affect your business.

All of the major carriers, including UPS, FedEx, and DHL will be using the dim weight method, which applies to all packages shipped by ground service that are less than three cubic feet—therefore, the pricing is based on volume rather than the actual weight of the shipments. Carriers will multiply the length by width by height and divide that by 166 for domestic packages or 139 for shipments to Canada; the resulting cubic size determines the price.

So why the changes? As most people are aware, e-Commerce has changed the way people buy, sell, and ship. Currently, a growing number of e-Commerce shipments are not being packed with regard to the density of packing, making shipping containers relatively large yet lightweight (relative to what’s inside the container). What this leads to is full delivery vehicles that aren’t being used to their maximum capacity, which is inefficient. The dim weight method optimizes packaging while taking size, rather than weight, into account.

There are several advantages that will come from these changes, not the least of which is the reduction of fuel and transportation costs. The aim is also to minimize the environmental impact of packaging—a result of greater efficiency. A hope of the new method, of course, is that the savings will be passed along to customers.

However, in order to reap the benefits, retailers and manufacturers must be careful to optimize their shipments. Otherwise, millions of dollars could be thrown away. So how can you be sure to benefit from dim weight pricing, rather than lose money because of it? Familiarize your entire staff with the process, and follow these tips:

•        Choose the appropriate packaging size for a product—size matters! Use only what you need; no more, and no bigger
•     Use high-quality shipping materials, taking strength, cushioning, and durability into account
•         Be sure to block and/or brace items to keep them safe
•        Talk to your carrier representative and be fully aware of your particular dim weight pricing
•        Measure the OUTSIDE length, width, and height of containers after packaging
•        Keep track of all monthly shipping charges and make sure you’re being charged correctly
•        Keep your customers educated on the policy in order to maintain compliance for return shipments

If you and all of your employees are diligent about the dim weight pricing, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy the advantages that will come from it. And don’t forget—we’re happy to answer any questions along the way!

Packaging, PACK EXPO, and Why Trade Shows Matter

It’s an old saying in business: “it takes money to make money.” Attending and exhibiting at trade shows is a good example of this. They require both an investment of time and money, but they can prove to be invaluable. Sometimes, what a company gets out of trade show attendance and/or exhibiting is incalculable.

Some of the many reasons to attend a trade show include:

•         Face-to-Face Interactions: There’s nothing like having the opportunity to meet, interact with, and converse with your customers, peers, and competitors. This opens numerous doors and puts faces to names, while allowing new business relationships to develop. The possibilities are endless.
•          Educational Opportunities: In order for your business to grow, you must constantly learn about your industry, its trends and technologies, and what people are talking about. Trade shows provide the opportunity to attend seminars, share ideas, and learn and grow as a result.
•          Direct Leads: While it’s not the only reason to attend a show, there’s no telling what kind of leads and sales can come as a result of attendance.

At Stamar Packaging, we are actively involved in the packaging industry, and are constantly looking to grow, evolve, and stay informed. As a result, we make it a point to regularly attend relevant shows and events, and we are very much looking forward to this year’s PACK EXPO, occurring November 2-6 in Chicago.

PACK EXPO is one of the largest, most important, and most exciting packaging industry events in the world, and it features the most advanced technology and innovations. We find it extremely important to attend PACK EXPO, view the new products and services on display, and learn about the latest industry happenings. We also see it as a great chance to meet our fellow packaging peers.

We look forward to another successful PACK EXPO, and look forward to seeing many familiar faces there.

The Many Advantages of Stretch Wrap

Packaging, in general, is one of the most critical aspects of any product. It provides protection, ensures quality, and serves the needs of virtually every industry and countless applications.

There are so many different types of packaging—each with unique advantages and roles—and oftentimes, those in need of packaging aren’t sure exactly what type is best for their requirements. At Stamar Packaging, we offer a wide variety of solutions, and one that is often used yet not always fully understood is stretch wrap.

Stretch wrap is an efficient wrapping that can cover containers, boxes, parcels, and a wide variety of products and goods in need of storage and/or transportation. It is commonly made from low-density polyethylene, and is very elastic/stretchable.

The plastic stretch wrap is applied with a stretch wrapping machine that has the ability to wrap packaging/products in bulk. Stretch wrap offers many distinct benefits, which include:

·         Protection: Wrapped goods are well protected from dirt, dust, moisture, and damage, ensuring nothing affects the quality of what’s inside.

·         Consistency: The use of a stretch wrapping machines means everything is wrapped exactly the same.

·         Time Savings: Stretch wrapping can be applied to large quantities of products in minimal amounts of time, which also translates to cost savings.

·         Variety: Stretch wrap can suit a variety of applications, with different sizes, widths, and thicknesses available based on various requirements.

The fact is, a product or parcel is often only as good as its packaging—faulty or low quality packaging can ruin what it’s actually meant to protect. Stretch wrap offers many advantages and is an excellent choice for economical, protective, consistent packaging.

Feel free to contact us with any questions, or to learn about how our solutions can help you. 

Teamwork: The Recipe for Success

One of the greatest lessons you learn when being in business a long time is that you are only as good as the individuals who make up your team. A company is the sum of its parts, its people.

Every single individual in a company, no matter their role, adds tremendous value, and collectively, they add up to who you are as a company. It’s been widely documented that teamwork is one of the best ways to bring all members of an organization together and make them truly care about each other and the work they are doing.

This article states it well: “Teams often arise when employees come together to accomplish a common goal.

Teamwork within the workplace not only benefits your workers but also significantly affects your business.”

At Stamar Packaging, we believe wholeheartedly in the idea of teamwork, of bringing employees together to accomplish goals, both within the realm of work they’re doing during business hours, and outside of that. And we believe that the result is a group of invaluable team members who are great at their jobs and care about what they do.

To this end, we recently participated in the ROC Race 5K, a game show-inspired obstacle race whose participants are referred to as ROC Stars (a fitting name for our employees). Taking place on July 12, 2014, this was our first ROC Race, and the company paid for and encouraged everyone who wanted to participate. One of the best parts: the ROC Race benefits The Challenged Athletes Foundation, a very worthwhile cause.

While the day of the event proved to be one of the rainiest of the summer—with the entire team getting rained on—it was still a fun and successful event. Some employees came to participate, others came to cheer them on. Despite the weather, some participants even went back and finished the race. In the end, it was still a great success; we had fun and bonded as a team. It was a great example of how teamwork can make a company even stronger.

We will continue to look out for and participate in more events of this nature (while keeping our fingers crossed for dry weather!), and most importantly, will continue to encourage solidarity as a group, ensuring our products and service are as great as the people who provide them.