Corrugate Shortages? Why Not Use Shrink Wrap as Your E-commerce Packaging Solution

Are you an e-commerce or distribution company that is experiencing delays due to corrugate shortages? Then this post is for you! Recent studies have shown that the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed e-commerce into overdrive, boosting demand for corrugated cardboard shipping boxes and creating a problem for e-commerce companies[1]. Cardboard box packaging availability has shrunk by over 50% due to labour shortages and increase in demand, which is threatening many small to medium businesses.[2]

We can help resolve your corrugated cardboard shortage issues with a creative distribution packaging solution – use shrink wrap packaging to ship your products instead!

Up to 80% Waste Reduction: It’s Time to Lose the Box

1. Void Fill

How often have you shipped an e-commerce package in a greatly oversized box, filled with large amounts of air pillows or paper? Protective void fill is used when products are packaged and shipped in corrugated cardboard shipping boxes. Void fill packaging and secondary boxes are only necessary when the product’s primary packaging will not protect it while it is in transit.

 

2. Demand on Operation

Boxes Create Extra Steps:

  • Case Erecting
  • Void Fill Machines
  • Carton Sealers
  • Labelling

With each of these processes, there are upwards of 6 workers running these machines to achieve the same result. Current labour shortages can be alleviated by replacing these machines with fully automatic shrink wrappers help reduce labour costs by 50% as they require fewer workers to operate the machine.

3. Warehouse Space

How many boxes do you have in your warehouse? The odds are if you ship more than one sized product, you have multiple sizes of cardboard boxes. Warehouse space is at a premium and boxes demand a lot of warehouse space, even when they are flat. What about when these cardboard boxes are assembled? They take up even more valuable warehouse space!

 
 

Let's Talk Numbers

Warehouse space cost: $5.75/sq. ft.

Due to the space required for oversized corrugate skids, the cost is closer to: $8.00/sq. ft.

Some oversized corrugate pallets are 7×5’, which is equal to 35 sq. ft.

$8.00 x 35 sq. ft. = $280.00/month

Note: Current warehouse rental rates are continuing to climb, most warehouses are now over $13 per sq. ft.

Cost Savings: Reduce Your Costs Up To 50%

Many companies have moved their businesses online to an e-commerce format, creating an increased cost for packaging supplies.

Recent studies have shown that the cost of packaging materials has increased between 7-40% within the last year and prices will continue to fluctuate for the foreseeable future.[3] This is a result of supply chain challenges that include shortages in labour, resin, paper, as well as increased transportation costs.

Moving to a shrink wrap solution due to the cardboard box packaging shortages can reduce waste and cost of packaging.

Switching to a shrink film packaging as a solution to the corrugate shortages can reduce costs in multiple ways including:

1. Reduce Material Costs up to $2.00 Per Package

Moving to this e-commerce packaging solution will reduce your material costs up to $2.00 per package by eliminating the need for cardboard box packaging or void fill protective packaging materials.

 

2. Reduce Shipping Costs up to 18%

Dimensional weight shipping can become expensive especially with oversized boxes. Instead of paying more for shipping – reduce your shipping costs up to 18% with shrink film packaging.

 

3. Reduce Labour Costs up to 50%

The BVM Brunner series and Shanklin shrink wrappers are the most versatile and flexible shrink wrapping machines on the market. These machines are fully automatic and reduce labour costs up to 50% simply due to fewer workers required to run the line.

 
 

Package Confidentiality: Opaque Shrink Film

Branded cardboard box packaging can be more appealing to the eye of consumers, but it is also more appealing to thieves looking to poach your packages off your doorstep. Using a shrink wrap packaging solution, you have the option of choosing an opaque shrink film that will keep your package discreet and confidential.

Traditionally, shrink wrap is known as a clear polyolefin-based material. With the massive growth in online ordering, opaque shrink film has gained popularity in the e-commerce market for its discreet characteristics. Opaque shrink film is thicker than traditional clear shrink films to ensure durability and performance while keeping the contents of your shipment private.

Summary

Many companies looking for an e-commerce packaging solution wouldn’t initially think about using shrink film packaging as their secondary packaging. But with advancements in shrink packaging equipment, not every product needs a secondary cardboard box. This type of application will work for any product that doesn’t require any additional protective packaging materials.

If you eliminate the need for protective packaging materials and replace cardboard box packaging with shrink film packaging, you are reducing your waste up to 80%!

Shrink wrap automatically conforms to the shape of what it’s wrapping, it is completely customizable reducing dimensional weight shipping costs.

 

Fully automatic shrink wrappers demand less labour to operate the machinery.

Shrink wrappers complete the entire packaging process from wrapping to labelling.

Shrink wrap automatically conforms to the shape of what it’s wrapping, it is completely customizable reducing dimensional weight shipping costs.

 
Contact Us

Crawford Packaging has applied years of excellence into creating and optimizing their line of customizable packaging. Through Crawford’s partnership, this innovative packaging option becomes a part of a comprehensive packaging solution.

To learn more about your customized options, talk to a Crawford Packaging Specialist. They’ll discuss your needs and provide you with a solution that will revolutionize your packaging process.

CONTACT US

Related posts

Resources:

1 – “Branded Packaging Trends to Inspire you before the Holiday Rush”, https://www.glbc.com/blog/branded-packaging-trends-to-inspire-you-before-the-holiday-rush/

2 – “2022 Packaging Industry Trends”, https://www.yorksaw.com/packaging-industry-trends/

3 – “5 big custom package trends for e-commerce in 2022″, https://katanamrp.com/blog/package-trends-for-ecommerce/