Sustainable Solutions for SCM

It is not rational to use over measured or especially under measured transportation packages. For the forwarders point of view, the package is never too strong. One of the criteria to receive insurance compensation in the case of an accident is that the goods are properly packed, protected and equipped to tolerate normal transportation stresses. Serious consideration must be paid by the sender to the selection of the transportation package in order to find a feasible package for both domestic and international transportation. The same package seldom suits all kinds of different transportation forms and stresses. An example: A company shipping steel plate products packed the sheets so that the cover, bottom and sides of a sheet batch package were separate. The package was tied with steel lines. The package was not tight enough and rust damage occurred. A new type of package (“shoe box” package) was developed. In that, the bottom and the sides were made of one part and the cover was put on the top as with a shoebox. The new package significantly reduced the amount of damage. The sender must first think if the package is needed at all. If the package is not needed, an item cannot still be sent like it is. the following factors at least must be taken into consideration: • The base of the product must be suitable for machine handling. • The base has to be bigger than the outer dimensions of the product so the base hits obstacles before the product. • Goods must be attached to the base so that it stays on its place during the normal transportation stresses. • Address information and handling markings must be attached or painted to the goods so that they are noticeable. 5.2.1 Internal package The transportation package can be divided into external and internal package. The functions of the internal package are: • To act as a buffer for example in machinery and equipment packages. • To absorb into itself the leakage of the product. If the goods possibly leak something during the transportation, the inner package has to be able to absorb it. • To be as a wrapping or consumer package. The plastic bag prevents external humidity or dust penetrating into the product, but at the same time it preserves the product’s own moisture. Usually the internal package, which is also the consumer package, cannot be set on the shop shelf after damage even if the product itself is intact. • To create a controlled “climate” around the product. Several foodstuffs or sensitive meters require constant conditions also during the transportation. In this case the internal package preserves the aromas or humidity or maintains a vacuum, which make the products preserve their original properties. The use of drying agents in humidity protection require a tight inner package so the drying agents absorb the incoming humidity. Instead of drying agents, anti- corrosion materials can also be used. There are two types of anti-corrosion materials: gas

108