Fender Manufacturer’s Delight At Returnable Packaging Solution
Metal sheet fenders are expensive and easy to damage. It means they have a need for a safe and sturdy packaging solution. Our customer approached us to design a packaging solution for their fender project. After understanding their requirements, we designed a cost-efficient packaging that can be flat-packed. It works like an accordion with a locking system. This secures the metal sheet fenders during transport. The simple design along with the returnable feature of the box saves costs. It has helped our customers break even on their packaging investment in the first year.
Our customer is one of the largest tractor manufacturers in Northern Europe. We have worked together for over 10 years on various projects. In the past, they manufactured fenders using high-strength plastic. They used high-strength plastic as it is very rigid and forgiving. But, the new generation fenders, moved away from high-strength plastic. Instead, they started using sheet metal.
Their process involved the deep drawing of the fenders by a subcontractor. It was then sent to another subcontractor for painting. After painting, the fenders went to the assembly line. At any stage in this process, the fenders were susceptible to damage.
Our solution
We provided them with a Clip-Lok 2P box solution instead of our steel rack solution, as it was a box tight to dust. The Clip-Lok 2P box has corners that are 2 x 12 mm. It enables them to pack more fenders compared to our steel rack solution.
The box is custom designed and works like an accordion for these fenders. Apart from the long sides and the lid, all parts are hinged together. It can also be flat-packed during the return trip, thereby saving costs.
We have used HDPE brackets as part of the dunnage on which the fenders hang. There is also a locking mechanism placed on top for the stability and security of the fenders. Our customer has since been able to send 8 fenders in each box as compared to 4 fenders beforehand.
Our solution offered has a higher packaging density compared to steel-racks. It lets our customers send more parts per box. This has allowed them to save costs and break even on their packaging investment in year one. We provide our customers with the best packaging solution in the market.
