Company saved $46,000 by using reusables on one component
Chicago, Oct. 29, 2012 – Herman Miller Inc. is the winner of the Reusable Packaging Association’s first annual Excellence in Reusable Packaging Award. The winner was announced and the award was presented at PACK EXPO in Chicago. Herman Miller won the award for using reusable packaging for the shipping and handling of a component on a chair assembly line, saving the company $46,000 annually in material and labor.
“Herman Miller has been using returnable packaging throughout the company for more than 20 years as a step toward environmental sustainability,” said Cindy Doman, Packaging Engineer at Herman Miller. “As we understand better the positive financial impact it can also have on our manufacturing process, we are looking for other opportunities to use reusable packaging. We applaud the RPA for its work in educating companies about the positive impact that well-designed returnable packaging can have on people and profitability as well as the environment.”
“We were really pleased with the strength and number of entries for the award. And all the submissions will strengthen our growing library of best practices to help educate other companies,” said Jerry Welcome, President, RPA. “We congratulate Herman Miller for winning the award, and for its innovative and beneficial use of reusable packaging.”
Herman Miller’s entry detailed the benefits gained when the company switched from expendable packaging to a returnable filler with crosslink foam for the shipping and handling of an office chair component. The part is a “Y” shaped plastic part called a “spine” that is assembled on its SAYL® office chair.
The part was being shipped into Herman Miller Greenhouse in corrugated boxes that would be re-used several times before being recycled. By switching to the reusable solution, the company has gained the following measurable outcomes:
• Saved 63 minutes per day in handling of the parts; this equates yearly to 266 hours
• Using 4,300 fewer boxes saving 24,645 pounds of corrugated per year
• Achieved a combined material and labor saving of $46,000
• Eliminated the need for two warehouse skid locations
• Eliminated movement of heavy boxes from skid to roller conveyor by a material handler, and eliminated need to cut them open with a knife
• Eliminated handling of boxes by part supplier
“We always consider the role of returnable packaging in new product launches because we understand the benefits of using it,” said Doman. “This project alone eliminated 24,645 pounds of corrugated per year. It might not sound like a lot, but this is only one case study of one part. There are hundreds of other case studies that would have similar results at Herman Miller. We will continue to be stewards of the environment for years to come.”
Click here to read the Final Herman Miller Case Study
About the Excellence in Reusable Packaging Award
The Excellence in Reusable Packaging Award is designed to recognize companies that have developed, supported or implemented measurable and innovative reusable solutions in a business-to-business supply chain. The contest was open to non-members as well as members of the RPA. Submissions were reviewed by an independent committee of judges who are not members of the RPA, and were judged on the quantifiable environmental and economic benefits achieved by the use of reusable packaging solutions and services. The award is supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Reusable Packaging Machinery Institute (PMMI) and StopWaste.Org.
About the RPA
The Reusable Packaging Association is a collaborative effort between manufacturers, poolers, distributors, retailers and educators to promote the environmental, safety, and economic benefits of reusable packaging. The RPA serves as the collective voice of the industry and uses its knowledge of the members’ products and services to advance the adoption of reusable packaging and systems throughout the supply chain. The RPA is focused on promoting the expansion of reusables as the preferred packaging solution across supply chains in all industries. For more information, visit http://www.reusables.org or call (703) 224-8284.
Media contact
Jerry Welcome
1100 N. Glebe Rd, Suite 1010
Arlington, VA 22201
Phone: 703-224-8284 Fax: 703-243-5612
Email: info@reusables.org
Website: www.reusables.org