One of the queries we often deal with is how to manage storage and e-commerce fulfilment of customer orders for breakable goods. The answer really is in ensuring that your warehouse, shipping service or fulfilment provider knows what they are doing!
What sort of goods need specific packaging?
Anything which would be at risk of arriving in a damaged condition needs to have packaging selected which is fit for purpose. Examples include:
- Bottles and drinks
- Liquids
- Breakable items
- Glass and Glassware
- Porcelain and China
- Delicate electrical items or component parts
- Flowers and food products
- Ceramics
Most fulfilment providers deal with ‘general goods’. That usually refers to products in very high volume which require no special storage provisions or packing facilities. Examples of general goods includes things like clothing, beauty and cosmetic products, shoes, household items, dry foods, accessories etc.
If your product cannot be shipped in a standard polybag or is liable to break being shifted in carton loads on a forklift, then make sure to speak with your fulfilment provider to ensure that they have the capacity to provide separate stock control for your goods.
Packaging options
Think carefully about the best way to dispatch your product. If you are using boxes, are they the right size to fit your product securely? Do you dispatch multiple products that could knock against each other in transit and cause breakages?
One of the important things to consider – how will your customer open their deliver? All too often we receive parcels where the product is immediately below the packing tape. Excitable opening of your new delivery can tear and cut into your product.
There are a huge number of packaging options:
- Polystyrene balls / peanuts
- Newspaper or shredded paper
- Air bags
- Bubble wrap
- Packing paper
- Corrugated liners
- Styrofoam wedges
Storage
Another major consideration is how your goods are stored. Fragile items may be sensitive to temperature, so if you are using ambient storage make sure to check the tolerance of your products.
Products can be stored palletised (stacked on pallets), individually shelved or on pick-racking, usually in boxes.
It is crucial to identify how your products are packed on delivery. If they are in robust cartons with suitable protection, you might be able to stack pallets in your storage facility and save on floorspace. However, if there is any doubt about stacking products we would recommend avoiding it. If you have a delicate product which is palletised, and those pallets are stacked on top of each other then in time the weight of the upper pallets can crush or damage those beneath them.
Need some help?
If in doubt, give us a call! We are always happy to offer advice and suggestions.
LG Fulfilment manages a variety of products, including those requiring tailored storage and dispatch solutions. We pride ourselves on offering simple solutions for our client’s problems and making sure that every item reaches the customer in perfect condition.
LG Fulfilment Ltd is a full service 3PL Fulfilment provider, with immediate space availability, with pick pack, value added and transport services
Located in Hastings, we have direct access to A21, A27, A259 and onward to M20 Folkstone and Dover (Calais France), ideal for cross-channel warehousing, logistics and Brexit warehouse space contingencies.
Contact us to discuss any fulfilment enquiries – we specialise in finding solutions for outsize, unusual shape or dimension packages:
Tel: 01424 559169
Email: enquiries@lgfulfilment.co.uk
