Logistics in the packaging industry

Today, the packaging industry has to face many new challenges. These include globalization, digitalization and increasingly complex customer expectations. Logistics plays an essential role in the business process. To remain competitive as a company in the packaging industry, the entire logistics process must therefore be well thought out and monitored.

Increasing demands on the packaging industry

The packaging industry has been under increasing pressure for some years due to globalization. International competition from emerging markets has led to increasing competition and price pressure, especially for standardized packaging. The European packaging industry can set itself apart here through particularly high flexibility and quality.

Attempts are being made to extend these advantages to international markets, but this entails complex logistical processes. In addition to the new longer delivery routes and the Incoterms to be observed, which internationalization entails, customer requirements must also be taken into account. Today, these are mainly sustainability, delivery time and individualization.

This is what a warehouse in the packaging industry should bring

Packaging materials are comparatively sensitive goods that can only be stored under certain conditions that the storage provider should be able to maintain. In addition, the storage service provider should have high standards in the area of process efficiency in order to meet the customers' requirements.

Conditions in the warehouse

Cardboard boxes and paper packaging in particular are water-attracting and water-sensitive products. A dry and temperature-controlled warehouse is therefore essential to prevent goods from becoming deformed and damaged or even moldy. The optimum humidity is between 50% and 60% and should be measured regularly by the warehouse logistics specialist using appropriate technical equipment.

Flexibility and individualization

Customers today expect more and more flexibility and individualization. This applies to products per se, but is also reflected in the requirements placed on warehouse logistics. Warehouse space should be flexibly scalable to make logistics processes as efficient as possible. In addition, an external warehouse service provider should be able to lead good processes in the area of picking, so that personalized and fast processing is guaranteed.

Digital competence

Digitization is inevitable in today's world - also in warehouse logistics. An important element here is the warehouse management system and the interface with the merchandise management system. This guarantees transparency and data availability and thus the control and monitoring of goods movements by means of a central channel. In addition to displaying inventory and storage location, the warehouse management system today also serves to network with new technologies.

Profitable certifications

Certifications ensure legal certainty and also bring certainty regarding uniform process standards and quality. ISO 9001, for example, which relates to quality management, is important here. Organic certification can also be useful if the goods to be stored involve packaging that comes into direct contact with organic products.