Saturn Service Parts Operation has a reputation for being unusually creative, from design through car assembly to the retailer showroom. This attitude of breaking the auto industry mold also extends to parts packaging, as a recent project for replacement engines demonstrates. Until last year, Saturn shipped replacement engines from its Spring Hill, TN, plant to retailers on a specially sized wooden pallet topped with a wooden cradle to hold and protect the motor. This is the typical transport container most manufacturers use to safely and securely ship the heavy, costly and vulnerable motors from factory to retailer service departments. In '94, Saturn began to use a new engine pallet designed by Homasote Co. (West Trenton, NJ). It's made of the company's Pak-Line® material, which consists of recycled newsprint and other paper. Not only does the use of Pak-Line make environmental sense for Saturn, but the new pallets have several other features: * The new pallets save Saturn up to 40% of the cost of the former wooden pallet/cradle combinations. * At Spring Hill, the pallets have a low profile for easy stacking; the former wooden parts couldn't be stacked at all. * Because the design permits the engine to nestle lower to the ground, the center of gravity is lower so they're easier to move and less likely to be damaged. * The space-saving design allows the easy return of the pallet to the plant for reuse. This not only cuts costs at the plant, it also saves the retailers from having to pay for disposal of the former wooden pallet/cradles.
Engine packs keep Saturn innovative
Engine pallets of recycled newsprint replace more costly wooden cradles for Saturn's replacement motors. Reuse adds to the benefits.
Jan 31, 1996
Machinery Basics
New ebook focused on cartoning equipment
Read about the various types of cartoning equipment, how to select the right one, and common pitfalls to avoid. Plus, read equipment advice from CPGs for ultimate cartoning success.
Read MoreHow AI is reshaping CPG manufacturing operations
Today’s CPG companies are faced with mounting challenges in their manufacturing operations. You have the data that could help you, but can you turn that data into knowledge? See how artificial intelligence can help. Learn what’s working for Pfizer, Post, and Smithfield.
Read More