Macfarlane Packaging, a UK-based distributor of protective packaging materials, has launched the new packaging innovation lab in order to help create bespoke, cost effective protective packaging solutions for customers.
Located in Milton Keynes, England, the £300,000 Macfarlane Packaging Innovation Lab features integrates interactive touchscreen technology, the protective packaging design software, a printer/cutting table and modern packing benches.
Macfarlane Packaging commercial director Ivor Gray said: "The Macfarlane Packaging Innovation Lab is a stimulating, open, dynamic and engaging place."
The lab comprises a fully equipped packaging showrooms solutions with recent technologies from global supply partners.
Macfarlane Packaging new business development director Donna Lynch said: "For the first time, customers will be able to access in one location the latest technology and expertise in a creative environment designed to solve the wide range of packaging challenges they face in their business, whether that be storage, transport, packing, damages and returns or customer experience."
Macfarlane said that the lab enables customers to work with protective packaging experts and its partners to understand the total cost of their packaging process, design packaging solutions to address protective packaging needs including reducing packaging costs.
The lab will also allow customers to interact with packaging solutions including packing benches, packaging machinery and packaging consumables as well as accelerate the development of bespoke packaging solution ranging from a printed sample to a fully modeled new packaging process.
Lynch added: "We have already arranged creative days at the Innovation Lab with a number of customers, including Home Retail Group and FEELUNIQUE.
"We expect it to prove particularly suitable for online retailers, addressing such important areas as click and collect, damages and returns, customer experience, automation, load containment and speed and ease of packing."
In 2015, Macfarlane has acquired One Packaging in an effort to strengthen its packaging distribution businesses.
Image: The Macfarlane Packaging Innovation Lab comprises fully equipped packaging showrooms. Photo: courtesy of Macfarlane Group UK Limited.
