Packing Conundrums & Solutions
One approach might be to stock a lot of one pre-made material, like bubble wrap, and use it for every situation. Another approach might be stocking various pre-made materials such as different sizes of bubble wrap, bags of loose fill aka packing peanuts, or bundles of foam, among others.
In either case, it means more packaging inventory to manage, regular planning and reordering of different materials, checking them in, moving them about, all the time this takes, and the risk of running out. The latter means shoe-horning ill-fitting materials for certain jobs, often meaning under or over packing. And then, with space increasingly at a premium, these bulky materials take up lots of storage which could be better used for other things like finished products.
The better approach isn't more materials. It's one system that produces the widest range of material types and sizes, hence flexing to all operational needs. Let's check out 3 such systems;
Air cushion packaging machines: the widest film size range, on one machine
A Forever Green machine runs the full range of film sizes and types, from small cushions to large bubble, in recyclable or compostable materials. Rather than store separate pre-made materials for every situation, one simply loads the right roll on the machine and presses go.
Changing between film types only takes minutes. Many operations pre-make a shift's or a day's worth of a given size in advance, so the roll only needs changing once or twice a day even when the range of products being packed varies constantly. Less storage. Less inventory complexity. Less chance of running out of the right size and less chance of compromising product protection.
For operations that consistently need a few different sizes at once, a dedicated separate machine for each size becomes a practical option, not a luxury. Forever Green machines are the most affordable available, and for higher-volume users, free loan equipment removes the upfront barrier cost entirely. A handful of dedicated machines can cost less, in practice, than a warehouse of pre-made inventory. Our piece Spotlight: Packing Peanuts vs the FGP System — Part 2: The Cost Savings is a good example.
Accessories extend what a single machine can do further still. For example; trolleys for machines & film moving film make it easy to utilise at various pack stations; mobile hoppers for continuous feed on high-volume lines; Winders for pre-bundling film, often bubble wrap style, ready for a busy shift. Small additions that squeeze more output from an already multiple use machine.
(See the film range on our Overview page for the full breakdown of sizes and types and what each suits.)
Void Fill & Padded Paper systems: many papers, many techniques
A standard paper void fill dispenser lets an operator pull and tear off exactly the amount needed per order; useful for random, small, awkward, or irregularly shaped gaps. The padded paper machine steps up for heavier-duty packing: compatible with various paper strengths which can be used with several different techniques. All available from the same machine. These often cover the large irregular shaped items, and ideal for heavy or awkward items that need wrapping, cushioning, stabilising or all of the above.
Every paper machine runs multiple paper types and thicknesses, which like our range of air cushion films, means the optimum material, combined with the right technique, for the job actually in front of you. Working with Forever Green means working with the lowest impact materials, and using no more and no less than necessary for you to do a range of packing jobs.
(See the Paper Overview page for the full range of paper types, thicknesses, and what each is suited to.)
Water Activated Gummed Tape Dispensers: with any size of tape
The same logic extends to our range of gummed tape dispensers and tapes. Our dispensers work with all sizes and thicknesses of tape, including custom-printed. And the dispenser settings mean you ensure the perfect amount of tape per box size. The results are neat uniform boxes, where on higher volumes knowing the actual consistent tape cost per box can be very helpful. Forever Green WAT gummed tape dispensers are another range where the right material, and the right amount of it, offers a host of operational, environmental and commercial benefits and savings.
Getting it right for your products and packing operation
Forever Green offer hands on support to help you find the most suitable machine and realise its rewards and full benefits. This training along with advice on packing techniques comes with every system so operators know the full range of what one machine can do, not just the default setting. A site visit goes further still: understanding a business's actual product range and order mix is what turns "a machine" into" the right machine, run the right way." And become maybe your most valued team member!
One machine, run well, covers more ground than most operations expect. Hence our mantra — Pack more, buy less.
