Our company recently stumbled into an unexpected adventure with our courier service that taught us a valuable lesson about adaptability and innovation. It all began with what seemed like a golden opportunity: a rate change with our courier that allowed us to ship slightly heavier parcels at a more attractive price. We were thrilled, envisioning smoother operations and cost savings. Everything appeared to be falling perfectly into place.
But then, a sting caught us off guard. Our packaging surcharges, which had been a modest £0.52 per parcel, skyrocketed to a jaw-dropping £12.95! The culprit? The type of packages we were sending. Our larger shipments, bulky essentials like toilet rolls, hand towels, centrefeed rolls, and refuse sacks, were packed in heavy-duty clear plastic bags sealed with tie-wraps, a method we’d relied on for years without issue.
Digging deeper, we uncovered the root of the problem. During the renegotiation of our courier rates, a critical packaging waiver that kept our surcharges at £0.52 had been overlooked. Without it, our account defaulted to the standard surcharge of £12.95. This was a costly oversight that demanded immediate action.
We reached out to our courier representative, who was as shocked as we were by the price discrepancy. With remarkable efficiency, she reinstated the waiver we’d previously enjoyed, bringing our surcharges back to a manageable level. But the experience was a wake-up call. It pushed us to reevaluate our packaging practices, not just to dodge surcharges but to enhance the security and protection of our goods while reducing our environmental footprint.
Our initial thought was to switch to cardboard boxes for our bulky items. However, this solution came with its own challenges. When measured volumetrically, these boxes often exceeded weight limits, trading one surcharge for another. Moreover, the varied dimensions of our products meant no single box size could snugly fit everything without leaving empty space, risking damage during transit. We needed a smarter approach.
The team at Cleaning Products gathered in the warehouse, determined to crack this puzzle. Ideas bounced around until a spark of brilliance ignited. What if we used corrugated cardboard rolls? This versatile material could be tailored to create custom-sized boxes, perfectly fitting each parcel to meet volumetric weight requirements. By eliminating void space, we could ensure our goods arrived intact. The extra padding from the corrugated cardboard would further minimize damage, sparing our customers any unpleasant surprises upon delivery.
Even better, corrugated cardboard is 100% recycled, allowing us to ditch plastic bags and significantly reduce our environmental impact. It was a win-win solution that ticked all the boxes, cost, protection, and sustainability.
Since implementing this change, the results have been nothing short of remarkable. We’ve achieved a 100% reduction in transit damage, alongside eliminating both packaging and weight surcharges. Our customers now receive their orders in pristine condition, and we’ve taken a meaningful step toward greener operations.
We hope this story sheds light on why our packaging has evolved. By embracing innovative solutions, you too can cut costs, and make a positive impact on the planet.
