Unitizing best practices

You’ve heard it before: In this challenging economy it’s more important than ever to do more with less and scrutinize every aspect of your operation for efficiency and savings. An end-of-the-line function, like unitizing, is just the beginning when it comes to creating the perfect load for handling, shipping and storing product—but it’s also an excellent place to look for multiple benefits.

“Unitizing deserves more attention that what it often receives,” says Tony Barr, vice president of Beumer Corp. (732-560-8222). “The right method can significantly reduce the rate of return products caused by shipping damages, reduce the labor cost associated with material handling and reduce the overall cost of packaging while increasing output,” Barr adds.

According to Jason Bennett, director of sales and marketing for vonGal (334-261-2700), unitizing is the unsung hero of materials handling. “Unitizing is an underutilized way to squeeze savings out of the materials handling process,” says Bennett. “It helps answer the call for lowering operating costs while focusing on the bigger picture of decreasing our carbon footprint and lowering our impact on the environment.”