The packaging we produce is bespoke to the customer and the design approach is critical in producing packaging solutions that protect products throughout the logistics chain, while minimising costs and environmental impact.
Our design approach follows four key stages:
- Developing a full understanding of the handling, storage and transportation conditions
Where will the products travel to and what climatic conditions will they encounter? How will they be shipped? How will they be handled and stored? Is a closed loop returnable solution required?
- Assessing the risks and protection requirements of the product
What is the size and weight of the product? What are its vulnerable points? What are the risks from impact shock, vibration, temperature extremes, humidity, electrostatic and magnetic devices and surface degradation? What is the best orientation within the pack?
- Creating an effective design
Based on our understanding of the handling, storage and transportation conditions, as well as taking into account the protection requirements, a prototype pack is developed using SolidWorks design software. Packaging materials are carefully selected and combined for maximum protection and cost-efficiency, both in construction and in logistics costs.
- Validating the design performance by test procedures
To ensure the packaged product meet the design performance targets, packs are subjected to the appropriate testing procedures specified by appropriate industry bodies. In controlled laboratory conditions, we test to ISTA, ATA300, ETSI, BS1133 and Defence Standards.Thanks to this rigorous and painstaking approach to packaging design, Macfarlane Packaging has gained a well established reputation with a broad range of customers for effective product protection throughout the supply chain.
CAD Digital Cutting Table
Macfarlane Packaging Design & Manufacture have a Kongsberg C66, the largest digital cutting table available for packaging production.
The CAD table is coupled with the innovative Kongsberg Dual Heavy Duty Unit, which makes it possible to cut, crease and perforate jobs without the need to change tools.
We can process a wide range of materials, enabling us to cut and crease all grades of corrugated and solid board, foam, correx and paper honeycomb raw materials, as well as mitering heavy-duty corrugated substrates.
All aspects of the application are carefully considered, packing and transport facilities, warehousing, onward shipment, unpacking and often return shipment conditions. Identification, instructions and potential handling and climatic hazards are all taken into account in the package design. Whatever the solution, Macfarlane adopts the 3R principle of responsible packaging;
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Reduce – packs that are functional, easy to use, and fully protective. Most importantly, they use as little material as possible, and are compact and light to help reduce waste and shipping costs.
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Re-use – wherever opportunities for ‘closed loop’ operations exist, packs will be robust enough for multi-trip use and efficient longer-term investment.
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Recycle – using materials that are readily recyclable. In fact, most of these contain some degree of recycled content, and existing packs can be re-designed to provide superior protection using more sustainable materials.
For high or low volume applications, Macfarlane can provide objective advice, innovative design, and quality manufacturing to exacting standards which will ensure appropriate protection throughout the supply chain.
Macfarlane are accredited with BS ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.