The Importance of Comprehensive Packaging Solutions

Packaging plays a vital role in today’s fast-paced business landscape, ensuring product protection, preservation, and presentation. As the packaging industry continues to grow and adapt to changing market demands, it’s crucial for companies to stay ahead and offer exceptional packaging solutions. To provide insights into this dynamic landscape, we have developed Packaging Talks – a series of conversational panels with Crawford’s packaging experts. Whether you’re a business owner, a packaging professional, or simply curious, our panels aim to offer valuable information and inspiration.  

This month, we chat with Cam Small, Crawford’s General Sales Manager – Equipment Division, about the importance of comprehensive packaging solutions.

Why is it important for businesses to choose a supplier that offers full packaging solutions, including equipment, consumables, and technical support?

Selecting a supplier that offers full packaging solutions is crucial because it ensures that all aspects of the packaging process are aligned and optimized. At Crawford, we provide comprehensive services that encompass equipment, consumables, and technical support. This holistic approach ensures that the equipment and materials are fully compatible, leading to better performance and efficiency. For example, with stretch wrapping, knowing the equipment and the science behind stretch films allows us to select the right film that provides the necessary containment force without causing damage or waste.

Can you give an example of how understanding the equipment and consumables can prevent issues in the packaging process?

Absolutely. Let’s stick to the stretch wrapping example. If a business uses a film that isn’t suited to their specific load characteristics, they might experience issues such as damaged goods during shipment, significant material waste, and increased costs. Every type of load requires its own approach. For instance, if you’re wrapping loads with irregular shapes or those facing challenging transit conditions, you may require a thicker stretch film for improved load security and protection. You may also benefit from using new technology or adjusting the settings of your existing equipment.

We have extensive knowledge internally on both the equipment and the science behind stretch films, which allows us to recommend the optimal film and equipment for each specific application. This ensures proper containment and minimizes waste, ultimately saving the customer money and improving efficiency. We have a proven track record of saving our clients hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years. The stretch wrapping aspect of end of line packaging is often overlooked, but significant cost savings and efficiencies can be achieved there.

How does Crawford’s TAP program benefit customers who purchase both equipment and consumables from you?

The TAP program at Crawford provides a suite of benefits for customers who purchase both their packaging equipment and consumables from us. One of the key advantages is that we take full accountability for the performance of their equipment and packaging processes. This means customers don’t need to worry about whether they have the right film, the right equipment, or the correct settings. Our knowledge-based culture and expertise allow us to act as business and packaging advisors, ensuring that our clients achieve significant efficiencies and cost savings across various types of equipment, from stretch wrappers to automatic mailers. This comprehensive support leads to a smoother, more reliable packaging operation and greater peace of mind for our clients.