The fact of the matter is that nearly 10% of all packages shipped are damaged during transit. And, of those damaged packages, approximately 5% have product damage.
OK, you’re probably thinking that that small a percentage of damage products doesn’t really add up to that much. However, the real cost is an astonishing $2.05 billion in unsaleable items. Sure, not every unsaleable item is due to damage, but when it’s a portion of a number in the billions, it’s still too much.
But it isn’t just the cost in actual dollars and cents. There are other significant costs to shipping damage, including drops in quality delivery metrics, decreases in customer perception of your brand, and loss of customers.
Through our client collaborations we’ve accrued hundreds of real world studies with valuable comparison data. Because we believe it’s our responsibility to ensure existing and potential clients have easy access to core concepts, we’ve compiled this fact sheet as a foundation. It's more than enough to get started.
And, honestly, that's the most important part of the journey.
Any one of us would be more likely to understand damage to a paperback book we ordered off of Amazon over the newest iPhone we ordered from our cellular provider. It no longer makes sense for retailers to simply increase the size of the package in order to improve protection; in shipping dimensional weights matter more than actual weights, so retailers must take into account their customer’s needs and interests as they consider their packaging.
But, no matter what: every package will still have the same likelihood to incur that 10% of damage.
Foam-in-place packaging provides unique customized cushioning properties. It is very versatile because it “molds” around the product being packaged. The insert is actually made from chemicals injected into a high density polyethylene bag. Once mixed together, they begin to foam up, expanding to surround the item and fill the outer container.
Foam in place is an ideal material for companies shipping many different configurations of fragile products . It fills the space fully with a customized cushion that molds itself around the product it is protecting – sharp edges, corners, odd shapes, and all. The product is securely seated in a pocket of protection. 
Foam-in-place packaging technology offers the highest degree of product protection available. It allows operators to work smarter and more simply for maximum productivity while reducing or eliminating damage expenses. And its small footprint maximizes space and cost efficiency, as well as increases consumer confidence.
If you’re constantly trying to manage consumable usage, frustrated by unexpected equipment downtime, or annoyed about having to wait days for a technician, you’re not alone. The fact is that equipment is supposed to help make packaging easier, safer, more efficient, and keep your facility more productive.
Today, the most cost-effective and time-efficient foam in place technologies are designed with the operator in mind, by simplifying the packaging process, reduce costs, and increasing productivity.
These technologies include ways to:
As basic as it might sound, these weren’t really a possibility until recently. Many facilities were using 20th century technology to package 21st century products because they were trying to avoid spending extra capital on upgrading their packaging.
But sometimes it takes moving your packaging into the 21st century to ensure that your products arrive to your customers undamaged and that your brand and reputation are not tarnished.
You want someone who will work on your behalf. So, rest assured, we treat every customer like they are the only customer.
We start by performing an on-site assessment of your current packaging and logistics operations to help identify the costs and inefficiencies that are plaguing your high-volume operation. You probably know that there are issues; let our dedicated professionals, with dozens of years of industry experience, tell you exactly what those issues are.
From there, we can help assess the right way to solve those issues. With design labs and highly trained packaging engineers on staff, we will work to identify specific technical requirements for your applications and develop custom packaging solutions based on comprehensive needs analyses. It will be science and math – engineering at its finest – that provide the right solutions to your on-site problems.
Once we’ve determined the right solution, our training team will work directly with you to ensure that your packaging operations are back online quicker and more productively than ever before.
IPS Packaging has put together a downloadable, no-obligation eBook which will show you how foam-in-place packaging can help you protect your items – and your brand’s reputation.
IPS Packaging is an industry leader in providing Foam-in-Place solutions that will positively impact your bottom line. Our knowledgeable product specialists can show you how foam-in-place packaging equipment can benefit your organization, and you can even schedule a no-obligation equipment demo.
