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Packaging Change Reduces Waste
(August 23, 2006) – At Maschinenfabrik Kemper GmbH & Co.KG, a change in materials has bagged savings and reduced waste.
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Reusable plastic bags like the one shown here protect finished products from the elements at Maschinenfabrik Kemper GmbH & Co.KG. |
By replacing disposable plastic packaging with returnable bags, Kemper has cut cycle time by two-thirds, reduced emissions, and saved about €2000 ($2,564 USD) annually.
The factory, which is located in Stradtlohn, Germany, manufactures headers for self-propelled forage harvesters. Finished goods are stored outdoors until they are shipped to John Deere dealers. From November until April, the factory covers the completed headers to protect them from rain, snow and dirt.
Until recently, the factory's protective material of choice was plastic shrink wrap, heated with a propane torch to tightly fit each finished header. Total cycle time to apply the shrink wrap: 30 minutes.
Enter custom-fitted reusable polyethylene bags. The bags are held in place with hooks, and require only about 10 minutes to put on. The propane torch and any subsequent emissions are no longer part of the process.
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