Void-fill foam brings benefits

Premium-quality hand tools packed in corrugated shippers have never had it so good since roll-fed paper dunnage was replaced by void-fill foam.

Typically one of the two side-by-side SpeedyPacker systems is used at a time. But if volumes dictate, two can be used simultaneo
Typically one of the two side-by-side SpeedyPacker systems is used at a time. But if volumes dictate, two can be used simultaneo

What if you could improve the productivity of your packaging operation, free up space in your warehouse, and decrease returns without increasing your cost for materials? It may seem like a tall order, but Sealed Air helped make it a reality at Cooper Hand Tools’ distribution center in Apex, NC.

Cooper offers premium quality tools for industrial, commercial, and consumer markets, including adjustable wrenches, soldering products, and cutting tools. The company distributes tools all over the world.

“We were using paper dunnage pulled from rolls to package our tools,” says David Looper, operations supervisor at Cooper. “But changing the heavy paper rolls put a real strain on our packaging operators. We needed packaging materials that would alleviate exertion for the operators, but we didn’t want to spend more,” says Looper. “Sealed Air contacted us to discuss alternative packaging options.”

Sealed Air’s Bob Hagmann met with Karen Falvey, Cooper’s vice president of logistics, to gain knowledge of Cooper’s packaging needs. Hagmann suggested the SpeedyPacker® foam-in-bag system with Instapak® UltraLite®, a light-duty void-fill foam capable of expanding up to 280 times from its liquid state.

The SpeedyPacker foam-in-bag system dispenses a controlled amount of Instapak foam into a sealed film bag. When placed in a carton, the foam expands to conform to the shape of the contents, creating a protective cushion. Within seconds, the foam sets and locks the products in place. Falvey liked the SpeedyPacker solution because, unlike paper dunnage, the solid cushions prevent items from shifting during shipment, greatly reducing the risk of damage.

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