How Pregis’ Sharp Bagging Systems Speed Up Fulfillment
Getting out of the box and into the bag is crucial for keeping up with shipping demand. Here’s what to know.
Last year, the e-commerce industry grew nearly three times more than in 2019 — and this record-breaking order volume remains strong in 2021. Since March 2020, fulfillment centers have continued to work past capacity, as consumers increase their expectations surrounding lightning-fast and damage-free home deliveries.
In February, Digital Commerce 360 and Bizrate found that 68 percent of consumers would be more inclined to place an order if fast shipping was available. And it’s not just e-commerce companies affected by demand — retailers are bearing the brunt, too. The same survey reported that 26 percent of shoppers ordered online for same-day delivery from major brick-and-mortar stores, almost double the rate from August 2020.
As fulfillment managers look at every possible solution to meet demand, automation solutions like Pregis’ Sharp bagging systems are taking center stage, thanks to their benefits in reducing costs, increasing efficiency, and sustainability.
Increased Labor Efficiency
Supply Chain Dive reported that 21 percent of manufacturers have operations that rely primarily on human labor. When the pandemic hit and social distancing regulations went into effect, that became a major problem. That’s where automated solutions like Sharp bagging systems come in, which can greatly increase labor efficiency. For instance, one customer saved over 32,000 hours per year after implementing automation. Each machine can reallocate four to six packers, giving them the chance to focus on other areas, such as customer service or other operational management tasks.
Reduced Total Operating Costs
Improved labor efficiency translates directly to another major benefit: reduced operating costs. In addition to lower payroll expenses, Pregis’ automated bagging systems can process more packages in a smaller space, lowering the cost per shipment. This then translates to lower facility and storage costs as well.
Drastically Shorter Pack and Ship Times
Manually packing orders is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. When automation is put into practice, it can speed up operations by as much as 15 to 35 packages per minute. In fact, one replacement parts retailer reduced their packing and shipping times by 60 percent after installing Sharp bagging machines as part of their cohesive automation system.
Increased speed doesn’t hurt package presentation, either. Sharp’s thermal transfer printings create clear, well-designed labels in record time, without any delays in packaging.
Easy to Integrate
Many bagging machines are designed as off-the-shelf solutions, leaving it up to fulfillment managers to find ways to fit them into their operations. However, Pregis’ Sharp bagging systems are fully customizable. Integration specialists come on site to carefully assess customer needs, existing space, and even workers to find the best solution for the packing floor and the ergonomics of individual employees.
Enhanced Safety
Sharp bagging systems are designed to be inherently safe, with motors that don’t generate enough force to cause damage. But moving parts aren’t the only risk employees face on the packing floor — according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), musculoskeletal afflictions account for one third of all reported worker injuries. Since Sharp bagging machines are also adjustable to individual workers’ ergonomics, there’s less chance of injury from repetitive movements.
More Sustainable Shipping
Boxes take up serious space, both at warehouses and in cargo holds. With today’s unprecedented shipping volume, bulky cardboard can require many more trucks, planes, and ships to move deliveries. Those vehicles then pump massive amounts of carbon into the atmosphere, the leading driver of climate change.
Polybags take up a fraction of the space and weigh significantly less, reducing demand for freight vehicles. The Sharp bagging systems’ thermal printers can also add How2Recycle labels on every item, educating consumers about how they can recycle their packaging.
Deliver Delight
In the era of e-commerce, brands no longer make an impression on consumers through their presentation on store shelves. The first point of contact with customers is when they receive a package. A study by Pregis found that improving packaging can boost perceived product value by 45 percent — and Sharp polybags are fully customizable and can be printed with any kind of branding or artwork.
Check out our infographic below to explore the journey of Sharp bagging systems for faster delivery:
