REengineering boxes = smarter packaging
All boxes are the same right? Just take one wavy sheet of paper (medium), glue two pieces of paper (liner) on either side, cut it out, finish off by printing the customer's logo on the outside and voilà – you have a box.
In truth, making paper for boxes and packaging is much more complicated. The medium and liner paper is made in many different grades – and that combination of paper grades is what determines how strong the box is (can the box hold 10 bottles of detergent or something much lighter, like strawberries).
Focusing their attention on this combination of paper grades, the packaging business saw an opportunity to make smarter boxes. A smart box can optimize the supply chain, decrease waste and transportation and delivery costs.
"Changing board grade combinations means GP can make a box with the same strength, sometimes using less fiber," said Brian Reilly, senior director – research and development, GP packaging.
"Board grade optimization helps us make a box that is just right – not using more fiber than needed but still protecting products on their way to consumers."
By challenging the status quo (that boxes can only be made using certain board combinations), GP packaging found an innovative way to make a better box.
Bears and Boxes
Board grade optimization is a little like Goldilocks and the three bears. Let's say you are Goldilocks (the customer) and you want packaging that is "just right" for your product. You could put your product in packaging that is too much (over packaged). Or, you could try to squeeze your product into something that is too little (and doesn't really protect or sell it). With board grade optimization, GP can help customers find a box that is "just right." And, that box might be just as strong but made with less fiber.