Materials Handling/Packaging Field Research Assignment
Packaging and handling are important to businesses. Packaging is used to promote a product, protects the product and consumer, and informs the prospective consumer and handlers throughout the supply chain. In addition, with assistance from technology advancements, a well designed and constructed package aids in product handling throughout the supply chain. This paper will evaluate three frequently purchased consumer products: Purina canned dog food, Purina bagged dry dog food, and Greenies boxed dog treats. A comparison of the Purina dry dog food and the boxed Greenie’s dog treats packaging will also be made. The packaging will be evaluated and compared to identify if the packaging assists or hinders material handling for the logistics provider. Finally, recommendations will be made for packaging changes and the reasoning behind the recommendations.
Table of Contents
- The Impacts of Technology on Material Handling and Package Design
- Aspects that Hinder or Assist in Material Handling by the Logistics Provider
- Recommendations
Objectives and Key Themes
This research paper examines the impact of packaging design on material handling efficiency within the supply chain. The primary goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of packaging for three common consumer products – Purina canned dog food, Purina bagged dry dog food, and Greenies boxed dog treats – and to propose recommendations for improving packaging design to enhance logistics operations.
- Impact of technology on material handling and package design
- Analysis of packaging effectiveness in assisting or hindering material handling
- Comparison of different packaging types (bags vs. boxes)
- Recommendations for packaging improvements
- Emphasis on logistics efficiency and customer satisfaction
Chapter Summaries
The paper begins by discussing the influence of technological advancements, such as RFID, bar coding, and automation, on both packaging design and material handling processes. The author emphasizes the importance of packaging that facilitates efficient product movement within the supply chain.
The second part of the paper analyzes the packaging of two specific products: Purina bagged dry dog food and Greenies boxed dog treats. The author identifies aspects of the bag packaging that hinder material handling, such as its susceptibility to damage and difficulty in utilizing RFID technology. In contrast, the Greenies dog treat packaging is praised for its logistics-friendly design, including its box format and shrink-wrapped case design.
Finally, the paper provides recommendations for packaging improvements. The author suggests a minor change for Greenies packaging, recommending a higher placement of the UPC code for easier scanning. For the Purina dry dog food, a major overhaul is proposed, recommending a transition from bags to rectangular boxes with handles, a removable lid, and higher placement of the UPC codes.
Keywords
The paper focuses on the relationship between packaging and material handling, emphasizing the importance of logistics efficiency, technology integration, and customer satisfaction. Key concepts include RFID, bar coding, automation, package design, logistics-friendly packaging, damage reduction, shrink wrapping, and UPC codes.
- Quote paper
- James Tallant (Author), 2010, Materials Handling And Packaging Field Research, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/167344
