How COVID19 Changed My Factory Forever

Like everybody else who works in a small business in America, I did not see COVID coming whatsoever. I think it is safe to say that it caught almost everybody off guard when it hit, unless you are into a lot of conspiracy theories and all that sort of thing. Personally, I kind of believe whatever anyone tells me and can barely form my own opinion on anything, let alone a serious issue that’s turned political with a lot of different factors and cultural elements playing a part in it. Anyways, I would consider myself to be a pretty simple human being.

I get up at the same time everyday, drink the same coffee, eat the same breakfast, drive the same Chevy 2004 Silverado to work, and work the same job Monday through Friday. I am currently working at a factory that designs and builds airplane parts that are to be shipped off to other factories that put together different parts, and somewhere down the line a plane is built. Now like I said, I am a very simple man, so I have no part in designing any of the plane parts, I simply sit at my factory station and build them. 

With all the happenings of the pandemic, there were open ended questions about what was going to happen to our factory. Obviously, planes still needed parts; however, the trouble was that people did not really need planes at the moment. There was a huge decrease in demand for planes all over the world which led to extreme labor shortages in factories just like mine. For a few months, I was very worried that I would be put out of work and forced to try to find work elsewhere or even apply for disability. However, to our relief and surprise, our factory turned from creating airplane parts to making face masks in order to help with the supply of masks to the general public. I guess that, when everything with the pandemic first started, everyone and their mom was trying to buy face masks at the same time, and we had never seen demand for masks like that before. Understandably, there was not enough supply of these masks to keep up with the huge demand and there was a great mask shortage. The government wanted to avoid a mask war or price gouging, so they decided to hire out companies and outfit them to produce more masks. 

So I spent a large part of my time during COVID helping to make face masks in the production line. I didn’t find there to be a huge difference in building plane parts compared to making masks - as I said before, I am a simple man. To me, factory work is factory work and that’s all there is to it. While working on masks, my job was to check each mask that came down the conveyor belt to make sure there were no mistakes or missed seams on the mask or anything like that. Then the masks would fall into various poly bags that they will be shipped in. The poly bags will then be sent down into different boxes and packaged in a way that makes them ready to send off to stores. I hope that this article wasn’t as boring to read as it was to write.

Helping my friend move

The other day I had to help my friend move. By that, I mean help him and his fiance pack up their house for their move. He asked me earlier in the week if I had any cheap moving boxes or knew where to get them. I told him to check out Lowes or Walmart as I know they provide affordable moving boxes. I did say to him that, in my opinion, he should not cheap out on moving boxes. Yes, they are only going to be used once, but they will give you great peace of mind that the boxes will hold, stay strong, and not get any rips of tears the whole move. Unfortunately, he did not take my advice, and we had some problems while packing the boxes and their cars. 

A few days before the move, I headed over to my friend’s house to help pack up their boxes. I did not know if my friend had taken my advice, but I was hoping he did. I have had a bad experience with the less expensive moving boxes. When I got to their place, I saw that my friend indeed did not take my advice and got the inexpensive boxes. I did not say anything, instead just waiting for disaster to strike. After having dinner with the two of them, we began to pack up their house. We started with the upstairs in the guest bedroom they had. They were using the closet in here as an additional one for them. 

I had to build the boxes, which are easy to do, just a matter of folding the bottom together and using packing tape to hold them together. I did an extra few pieces because, in my experience, these boxes like to drop the bottom and let all the items fall through. That has been my experience; however, I was not expecting these boxes to do that, but you never know. As I was packing up their guest room closet, the box I was using burst at one of the seams. I called in my friend to hold it together as I used packing tape to attempt to reseal it. We got it back together somewhat, but there was a slight gap still. Lesson learned, under pack the boxes. 

After this little hiccup, we learned to make sure to not put too much into the boxes, or we would risk the boxes bursting. We continued to go about our night packing anything and everything until disaster struck. One of the boxes my friend’s fiance did was not taped multiple times on the bottom. This caused a disaster to happen. As she moved the box towards the front of the house to be easily grabbed during the moving day, the bottom fell out. This was bad as the box she was carrying had some fine china her mother passed onto her. Once the bottom burst, all the china came crashing down onto the hard tile floor. 

I wish my friend had listened to me when I told him to get better boxes and not get some cheap moving boxes. If he had heard to me, then the issues we had would not have had even been a thought. Unfortunately, my friend’s fiance’s china was almost completely destroyed; all that was left was a cup. I felt terrible for them, but if he had listened to me, they would still have that fine china. 

Where to get affordable boxes

There are multiple companies that deal in the distribution of cheap moving boxes. I have come up with what I believe to be the best three companies. I hope that after this short article you will be able to make a confident decision as to what company you want to get your moving boxes from. All of these companies offer affordable moving boxes, but they also have some critical differences between them. We are going to look at these companies in depth and take a look at those key differences. Keep in mind that regardless of what I say, the decision is yours in the end so take what I say with a grain of salt. 

The first company we are going to look at is Amazon. Odds are you have heard of this small worldwide shipping company. I recommend Amazon because it is online shopping. You will be able to buy all the boxes for your moving needs without leaving your couch. If you are an Amazon Prime member, then you will get free two-day shipping. This can be helpful because you may already be busy packing or worrying about other things related to the move and don’t have the time to get boxes. One thing to note is that Amazon does not appear to offer boxes for single purchase, only bulk, so if you are needing just a box or two to pack up your pantry or bathroom, then one of the other options I will mention may be better for you. 

The second company we are going to talk about is Walmart. I recommend Walmart if you need more than a few boxes. They offer much more than just boxes for moving, and it can all be found under one roof. Much like all companies, Walmart has online shopping. The online shopping is a plus as they offer both delivery and same day pick up, which can be suitable for those busy moving days. Another plus about getting your boxes from Walmart is that most of their stores are open twenty four seven, seven days a week. This being said, you can get more boxes at four in the morning if that is the case. Walmart is a good option because they have a lot of moving supplies. 

The final company we are going to look at that offers affordable moving boxes is Lowes. Lowes is a great company because they are a home improvement company. Not only do they provide a wide selection of tools for those DIY projects on your new home, but they also have an ample supply of moving materials. Much like the previous two, Lowes offers online shopping, but it is only in-store pick up. This is not as good as a local Lowes may not have what you are looking for, but it is good that you can look online before making the trip there for it to end empty-handed. Lowes is a good option if you are looking for tools for a DIY project and moving supplies.

All of these companies offer cheap moving boxes, but each one has its own pros and cons. What company you choose to go with is entirely up to you. Before you choose a store, make sure you know your needs. If you just need boxes, Amazon or Walmart maybe your best bet. If you are needing tools along with those boxes, then I would recommend Lowes as they offer the largest selection of tools along with moving supplies. 

Specialist Packaging Design For Brand Building

Packaging is the last element of a product cycle, but that doesn’t mean it should be an afterthought. After working hard to make your product good-looking and paying adequate attention to its marketing, you are going to have to use durable packaging materials to ensure its safe arrival at your customer’s location. Moreover, it should be attractive enough to promote your brand throughout the supply chain.

The packaging design is undoubtedly a critical part of your business. The first thing your customers will notice about your product is its packaging. That necessitates you to use an impressive packaging design to build the first good impression.

We will discuss some stats here to help you understand the impact of the first good impression of a packaging design.

• About 72% of consumers say they decide on purchasing something based on its packaging design.
• 61% of consumers say they are more likely to repeat purchase a product if it comes with premium packaging.
• Unboxing videos convince 55% of consumers to purchase a product.
• 40% of consumers share images of a product if it comes with unique packaging.
• Using branded packaging raises the prospects of your product getting recommended by 50% of consumers.
• 72% of consumers prefer cardboard and paper packaging.
• 49% of consumers are likely to pay extra for great packaging.

Now, we will discuss some ways to use specialist packaging designs.

Starting small

If you want to change your product packaging, you don’t need to bring this entire change immediately. Starting small is the best approach. Even the slightest branding tough will make your product look significantly different from your current packaging.

Remember to be consistent with your branding efforts. That means you have to try and analyze every change you bring to your product packaging. You may also need to keep an eye on current packaging design trends.

Being unique

It is not easy to come with a unique packaging design. You have to take some time to think about your brand, its image, and its story. That way, the product packaging will reflect the image and story of your brand. Make sure that it is something your customers can relate to. So, it is necessary to understand your customers too.

While it is great to stick to cardboard and paper and still manage to come out with a unique packaging design, you can choose from other packaging materials if you are unable to create unique packaging designs using traditional materials.

Custom designs

Undoubtedly, custom packaging will cost you some extra bucks. However, an even more necessary thing to focus on is the ROI. Using custom packaging increases the prospects of your product making an impact on your customers. They will be more than happy to approach your packaging and open it up to get the product in their hands. That is because custom packaging can build excitement and anticipation to enhance the user experience.

Remember, product packaging is part of branding, so you have to be quite careful with this process. Because it can help increase sales significantly, it is never an afterthought. That is why it is necessary to pay attention to product packaging while deciding about the production.

Branded Packaging Using Eco-Friendly Materials

While we all know the impact of packaging wastes on the environment, plastic continues to be the most significant pollutant today. While single-use or reusable plastic, undoubtedly, has numerous benefits, it takes thousands of years to biodegrade. Even then, it produces toxins that can have a grave impact on the planet.

So, what is the right way to solve the packaging pollution problem? The best solution lies in better packaging practices. The good thing is that businesses are switching to more eco-friendly packaging options.

Eco-friendly brand packaging solutions

Non-biodegradable and unsustainably sourced packaging materials are harming the environment quite severely. On the other hand, compostable, biodegradable, and recyclable packaging solutions help businesses go green. The good thing is that eco-friendly packaging materials come in all shapes and sizes. That allows brands to develop sustainable packaging strategies.

Biodegradable food packaging

Since a significant amount of waste comes from food packaging materials, food brands and restaurants must consider employing sustainable packaging and delivery methods. Several takeaway outlets have started using biodegradable and sustainable packaging solutions to help benefit the sustainability cause. Examples of those solutions include biodegradable pizza boxes and Kraft tableware. These materials come with biodegradable properties, meaning that using them will spare the environment while keeping foods fresh and hot.

Eco-friendly packaging for deliveries

The onset of COVID-19 has resulted in skyrocketing home deliveries. It is evident from the fact that Amazon can triple its profit since the start of 2020.

Amidst this steep rise in the shop-from-home trend, many companies have been answering calls for using sustainable packaging materials by using eco-friendly materials such as mailers and self-sealing boxes. These packaging solutions, primarily made of cardboard, have made it possible to post products of all sizes and shapes. The availability of these boxes in single and double-wall varieties has allowed companies to secure larger shipments while contributing to the sustainability cause.

Sustainable shopping bags

High-street retailers and food vendors have to use packaging solutions to allow their customers to take products home from the place of purchase. While not many businesses think of it before anything else, closer attention should be paid to how people carry goods after purchasing.

With the government doubling the price of packaging plastic to help reduce the use of non-biodegradable packaging materials, it has become more necessary than ever for businesses to use biodegradable bags to pack grocery and food products. One of the best solutions in this regard is the use of paper or Kraft bags. Such bags are durable enough to hold numerous goods without tearing apart. Yet, they are 100% biodegradable.

Biodegradable paper tape and void-fill

With so many biodegradable packaging options available, using plastic-based tape or package lining isn’t exactly a wise option. You may want to know that paper tape is strong and biodegradable. Consisting of Kraft paper, it sometimes proves to be more durable than plastic tape. On top of that, it is completely recyclable. You will be able to relieve your customers of the hassle of removing the sticky plastic tape from their boxes before tossing them in recycling cans.

If you want to ensure the protection of your products inside boxes, you can go for eco-friendly void-fill options. These materials are a great alternative to plastic-based void-fill and bubble wrap.

Eco-friendly packaging options are as reliable as non-biodegradable ones. All you have to do is make sure that you are using appropriate materials for your products.

 

Choosing The Top Shipping Package Materials

Getting your products from point A to B, and ensuring it does so without any damage: 

Pretty packaging is simply not enough. Protecting your products is the most important thing, it is the only way to ensure it gets to its destination damage free. You reputation is harmed is this is overlooked. Your customers will get angry, and this could forever ruin your businesses reputation. 

How do you know what the top shipping materials are? Things such as the shape, size, fragility and so on will determine the type of packaging materials are needed. In the following section we will discuss the right shipping packaging materials, and all you need to help make that decision. 

Also, important: What Is The Right Way To Pack Your Product? 

Foam Packaging 

For irregular shaped packaged, for fragile products, custom foam inserts are best for shipping these packages. Uniquely structured to cradle and support your products specially designed foam inserts are a good choice. Know for a fact that your items are safe from chipping, damage, scratching, and even from falls and being shaken. 

Other advantages is that it decreases the cost of shipping because it is lightweight. 

Packaging Paper 

Packaging paper is highly protective and has many benefits for shipping. Fragile items, when packaging paper is used is protected from scratches. There are also economic advantages, namely affordability. Sustainability is also another factor for using packaging paper. 

Although useful, packaging paper is not as protective for fragile contents. It is wise to combine foam or bubble wrap when using packaging paper. 

Bubble Wrap 

Another method for protecting shipped items is using bubbles of sealed air (bubble wrap). Acting as a durable cushion, bubble wrap can cushion a huge amount of force, this makes it one of the most common tools used in shipping. 

Similar to packing paper, the problem is that bubble wrap benefits from being used with other packaging materials. To make sure fragile items are properly protected, it is recommended that you match it another packaging material. To add, bubble wrap is not environmentally responsible, it is costly, and ultimately is not the best choice for your business. 

Packing Peanuts 

Small fragments of polystyrene that under pressure lock will fill any empty space, and this gives packaging peanuts the ultimate cushioning during shipping. They stop your contents from moving around and getting damaged. They even come in varieties that are biodegradable. Reusing packing peanuts can be done in a variety of ways. 

Effective for protection and highly frugal. They are incredibly light which will save your company on shipping fees just like custom foam packaging.

Korrvu Packaging

It safely positions shipped contents in the middle of the shipping container, Korrvu is an interesting choice. Korrvu packaging keeps your product tightly in place using non-slip film protecting your product from vibrations and bumps. Korrvu has a lot of variety of uses. A perfect choice that protects your company's shipped products, it ensures that everything will be delivered safe.

Why I love affordable moving boxes

There are so many different kinds of moving boxes, from cheap moving boxes to expensive wooden shipping crates. I personally love the cheap boxes. Not only are they affordable, but they are made just as well as those expensive cardboard boxes. When I had to move, I got the most cheap boxes I could get, and I was thrilled. They worked perfectly, and I did not have any issues with them. I have heard horror stories about people getting these boxes and the bottom falling out, or they just fall apart during transportation, but I did not have any of these adverse problems, which I am very reluctant to say. The build quality is not precisely like cardboard boxes, but they are similar and get the job done. 

Affordable moving boxes are the best in my opinion, not only because they are cheap but because they are also because they are made well, much like cardboard boxes. When I was moving, I got the cheapest packages I could find. After a lot of research, talking with friends, and looking online, I was able to find what I was looking for. When my moving day was growing closer, I began packing up my house in my newly acquired boxes. A lot of people were telling me that it was a bad idea to get these boxes, but I had faith in them. I made sure to tape the bottom of the boxes an extra time to avoid the falling bottom incidents people were telling me about.

As I packed up these boxes, I did notice the cheap factor of them. These boxes can not hold everything I was hoping to get in, but I made it work. If I over stuffed the box, it either would not shut properly, or one of the side seams would burst. It only took me two breaks to figure out I can not put everything I wanted in them, but it was manageable. I ended up having to get some more boxes. I was happy that the company I was working with provided bulk deals and fast shipping. 

I made sure to take great care of the boxes as not to throw them around or anything like that. I did not want to add any extra damage to the boxes as I wanted them to last the whole moving process. My friends and I packed up my car and moving truck with little to no problems. The only problem that showed itself was when one of the boxes had a slight tear down the side seam, but we were able to salvage the box with some packing tape. I had heard the horror stories of people having the boxes falling through on the bottom, but luckily I did not have any of these issues, just a tiny tear. 

As I said, I was extremely fortunate not to have any issues occur except a small rip that was easily fixed. From my experience with these boxes and the company I worked with, I came to really like these cheap moving boxes. I recommend them to my friends that are moving and I give them my tips to make sure they don’t have any problems like all the horror stories. My friends generally thank me for telling them about the company I used along with the boxes I used and tell me they too like these boxes after having a positive experience as I did, you just need to know how to use them correctly, in my opinion.