Degree Type
Honors Capstone Project
Date of Submission
Spring 5-1-2009
Capstone Advisor
Gary Lapoint
Honors Reader
Patrick Penfield
Capstone Major
Supply Chain Management
Capstone College
Management
Audio/Visual Component
no
Capstone Prize Winner
no
Won Capstone Funding
no
Honors Categories
Professional
Subject Categories
Operations and Supply Chain Management
Abstract
This thesis explores techniques for efficient, sustainable packaging of high cube, low weight products. It is based on a project initiated at Macy’s Merchandising Group, a product development division of Macy’s Inc. The company challenged its interns to create an environmentally conscious business proposal that would also reduce expenses. This thesis is an extension of the original proposal.
As part of the production of soft goods at Macy’s, samples of each item are sent air freight from overseas manufacturers to theNew York Cityheadquarters. Sample shipping amounts to a significant expense because products are sent via air freight.
In the process of sample shipping, waste is produced as packaging, freight expense, and green house gas emissions. To reduce this waste, companies can utilize vacuum sealing of samples for high cube, low weight products, such as comforters, throws, and pillows. This technique reduces the volume of products in a sealed bag with the use of an everyday vacuum cleaner. This technique can reduce the dimensions of products up to 78 percent, a way to significantly reduce the dimensions of shipments.
Vacuum sealing decreases shipping expenses because of the structure of air freight billing. When traveling by air, rates are determined by the greater of two weights, actual weight or dimensional weight. Actual weight is the product weight in pounds or kilograms. Dimensional weight is the length, width, and height multiplied together and divided by a dimensional factor (DIM) of 366 (though negotiable, this is a standard number across the transportation industry). The dimensional weight can be several times the actual weight, resulting in expensive charges for low density products. However, when the dimensions of products are reduced, it decreases dimensional weight and results in lower shipping expenses.
According to calculations, hermetically sealed samples will save over $35,000 in operating expenses annually. Savings increase significantly when applied to in-store product. The following research explores the strategy of vacuum sealing products and its implications for samples and in-store product in more detail.
Recommended Citation
Espy, Caryn, "Sustainable Supply Chain Packaging Increasing Density for High Cube Low Weight Textiles" (2009). Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All. 470.
https://surface.syr.edu/honors_capstone/470
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