Packaging and Logistics Solutions

Packaging is a strong determinant in the success of any logistical process in the product’s supply chain. It needs to be a significant issue for consideration during manufacturing, storage and handling of the product to ensure that it safely reaches the consumer. Even so, many packaging manufacturers often overlook the aforementioned aspects which often affects the successful transportation of products to wholesalers, retailers and eventually to the consumer ( Regattieri and Santarelli, 2013) . This calls for manufacturing organizations to be well-informed on matters packaging as many companies often overlook this part of the production process. It would be prudent to analyze the issue of packaging and its effect on the logistics of two frequently purchased products in the US market. 

Food products are the leaders in consumer purchases as people need to eat every day. Among the food products two of the frequently purchased items are milk and soda. For milk, the brand may not be a big determining factor compared to the soda. The most preferred soda brand is Coca Cola and the preferred product is the classic Coca Cola can. These two products vary significantly in packaging as the most purchased milk product is in a gallon plastic container while the Coca Cola is in a 355 ml can. Both packaging designers considered different factors before having these products in the specific packages and logistics was one of these factors. An outstanding difference in packaging is that one product is larger than the other. This is because the Coca Cola can is consumed at the individual level while the gallon of milk consumed by the family or over an extended period. One is made of plastic while the other is a metallic can. Both packaging materials considered aesthetics and the contents of the products inside them. For Coca Cola, the can is about aesthetics. People are intrigued by the design of the can and how unique it is. For the gallon of milk, aesthetics is not a significant determinant and the company primarily considered the amount to be packaged at ago. Both packaging choices also consider storage as the milk bottle can be easily refrigerated due to its short lifespan while the Coca Cola can be stored as the as directed on the packaging. Overall, logistics play a critical role in the packaging choice for both products. 

As logistics involves several steps between the origin of the product and its consumption, packaging material is critical for this process. For the two products, the packaging choices work for the logistics provider to a given extent. The material used in packaging cannot be damaged easily meaning that packaging is maintained as it is until the product reaches the customer. This also means that the logistics provider can handle the products with increased ease without being worried that they will get damaged ( Schmidt & Schmidt, 2019) . This also contributes to increased speed in logistics as the products can be handled faster. The packaging comes in varied sizes with the milk being bigger than the can. This characteristic acts as an advantage and disadvantage for the logistics provider. For the milk, the logistics provider can handle more milk product in fewer bottles. This allows the product to be transported with much ease because of the fewer units. On the other hand, he or she will handle more cans with lesser product. Many small cans may be somewhat hectic to handle logistically making the process somewhat hard on the logistics provider. The milk bottle comes with a handle that can make the logistics process easier when compared to the can which is small, cylindrical and without a handle. The can is also smooth on the exterior which lowers the chances of the logistics provider gripping it when packaging. When considering accidents, both packaging choices make the logistics process easier for the provider since they both do not damage easily. to a great extent, the logistics provider is assured of the product reaching the consumer than would be the case for products with glass packaging. Nonetheless, the plastic cap on the milk bottle means that it can easily open under immense pressure while the tab on the Coca Cola can ensure that the product is safe even under pressure. 

Recommendations I would make on the packaging of the products include a more ragged exterior for the Coca Cola can. A ragged exterior ensures that the can is easily gripped and the logistics provider can handle it with much ease than the smooth exterior. The can may adopt a ragged look and maintain its desired aesthetics. Such a surface will not only make the can easier to handle it will also give it a unique look that is not present on other such products. Some milk bottles have adopted the ragged look and this works effectively when handing them during packaging. It is especially so if the bottle needs to be passed from one worker to the next. Therefore, all milk producers need to adopt the ragged look to ensure promote gripping and the overall ease of handling for the logistics providers. The plastic cap on the milk bottle also increases the risk for the loss of products because it can easily open under pressure. The bottle can adopt a harder plastic material such as that used in various plastic items like pipes. This hard plastic will ensure that even when the milk bottles are stacked, the risk of the pressure forcing the cap open is greatly reduced thus reducing the risk of losing the product. 

Both the can and milk bottle are often packaged in dozens or half a dozen for ease of transportation. When considering the shape of the milk bottle, it is likely that the logistics provider may find it some what difficult to have them in dozens or half dozens because of the shape. Some bottles will take unconventional shapes which make the packing process the more difficult. The cylindrical shape of the can also makes it hard to package in dozens since many cans may not hold in place. These designs can take more conventional shapes like rectangles with sides that can help the fit easily. This will ensure that handling the bottle and can when packaging the in dozens is easy ( Schmidt & Schmidt, 2019) . The bottle has product names and details printed on paper which is then stuck to it with industrial glue. In some instances, the paper may not hold as firmly as expected and may come off when being handled. The packaging designers can adopt the strategy used for the can where necessary information is directly printed on the bottle. This will ensure the handling process is smooth as there is not chance of paper interfering. 

Overall, packaging has immense effects on the ease with which the product is handled by the logistics provider. It is especially evident in the packaging of milk and Coca Cola as two of the frequently purchased products in the US. Their packaging designs present various advantages and disadvantages when handling and this include the loss of product during an accident, the size of the bottle and can and the amount of product that can be handle at a go. To help improve handling for the logistics provider, the bottle and can adopt more ragged looks on the exterior and uses a standard shape such as a rectangle to help make it easy for the logistics provider to arranged them. 

References 

Regattieri, A., & Santarelli, G. (2013). The important role of packaging in operations management.  Operations Management ,  3 , 2013. 

Schmidt, S., & Schmidt, B. G. (2019). The role of packaging in logistics processes-impact on sustainable logistics in the food sector.  Proceedings on Engineering Sciences ,  1 (2), 235-246. 

Product Checklists 

Coca Cola can 

Bottle of milk 

Bread