Supply chain management solutions provider UPS and packaging firm Sealed Air have opened a new packaging innovation center in Louisville, Kentucky, US.
Situated on the UPS supply chain solutions campus near the Worldport facility, the new center will enable to solve the packaging and shipping challenges of e-commerce retailers and companies in various other industries.
The center has been opened based on the partnership established in November 2016 to provide businesses with better supply chain, fulfillment and packaging solutions.
The innovations center will help to focus on different areas, including excessive waste of packaging materials, effective use of labor resources, as well as reducing costs and others.
With around 6,000ft² of space, the packaging innovation center also features a range Sealed Air’s advanced packaging solutions.
Some of the packaging solutions include an automated system that reduces the need for outer cartons by decreasing dimensional weight by around 87%, as well as an automated right-sizing system that that can eliminate empty void space in each box by around 60%.
The center will also include a portfolio of packaging work-cell solutions, which will enable to enhance labor productivity, reduce product damage and provide better products for the end consumer.
In addition, the center will offer consulting services such as package performance analysis for companies to minimize the usage of packaging and maximize product protection.
UPS executive vice president and chief commercial officer Alan Gershenhorn said: “One of the biggest challenges UPS customers have with e-commerce, and across other industry segments, is that they struggle to create efficiencies and enhance profit margins while still improving consumers’ perception of their brand.”
Sealed Air president and CEO Jerome Peribere said: “The at-home delivery experience is more important than it has ever been. Consumer expectations for fast, free, on-time delivery leave businesses and retailers with very little room for error.”
