The busiest season of the year has already started. If you are a manufacturer, retailer, or distributor, this means that you should now be prepared for the influx of orders to ensure that you’ll be able to keep up with the demands. Online shopping has changed the landscape of the retail and wholesale markets. Along with those, you can expect huge growth in your packaging and shipping requirements.
The peak season is a profitable and challenging time of the year. Just as it’s demanding, you have to find ways to keep errors to a minimum and productivity to a maximum level. To help you prepare, here are some of the peak season packaging preparations that can guide you throughout the busy months.
Peak Season Packaging Tips for Manufacturers
Map out a strategy.
The basic step to keeping up with peak season demands is to put a strategy in place and do it at the right time. Last-minute planning would not be the right thing to do as you may already be dealing with huge orders when there is not much time left to make some adjustments.
During your planning consider the innovations that are worth investing in. Take note of technologies that can address specific requirements. Be particular in choosing those that can optimize your processes and remain relevant whether it’s peak season or not.
Automate your packaging processes.
Packaging is a laborious task but it can now be completed efficiently through automation. Assess your processes to know what can be automated. This will allow you to increase your production and give your team the opportunity to concentrate on other tasks. Furthermore, it can help prevent costly errors and ensure quality output.
While investing in CIJ printers, laser coders, marking systems, and other automation equipment could mean additional costs, this will allow you to reap benefits for a long time. It also gives the assurance that you can have confidence that your processes are properly optimized to ensure cost-efficiency throughout the years.
Improve your data management.
The improvement of your processes goes beyond physical requirements. You also have to look into the data that are relevant to your products and consider their value. Some of the important aspects of data management include:
- Product Traceability
Traceability involves product serialization. Batch numbers and order information imprinted on packages will help you track their location, improve quality control, and manage customer returns. During peak seasons, product traceability will enable you to remain in control even with the influx of orders.
- Stock Management
Look for software that can improve your systems. Choose a software that will enable the efficient taking of orders, creating of invoices, and checking of stocks. With a system in place for stock management, you will be able to save a considerable amount of time.
Train your staff.
Your staff should be able to keep up with peak season demands. Some companies onboard temporary employees during this time of year to compensate for the influx. Training would be useful for both new and old employees. It will equip them with the knowledge and skills they need to effectively perform tasks. Training will also update them with the latest packaging processes that you might have put in place. It is a step to ensure that everyone in our team is geared toward the same direction. While this may mean additional costs for you, its long-term benefits such as productivity, efficiency, and overall business improvement would be worth it.
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The peak season is a time when the potential for bigger profit comes with challenges for most companies. Your packaging preparations will help you avert difficult situations that might take place. Plan ahead to make the most of this time of year, prevent downtime, and maximize your profit.
Elixir Industrial Equipment, Inc. offers one-stop solutions to help manufacturers meet the operational requirements of their businesses. Let us help you overcome the challenges that come with the peak season through our printing and packaging machines.