Atlantic’s packaging experts span diverse fields of films, equipment, and testing. Explore the posts below for expertise that will bring value and efficiency to your operation.
How Shrink Bundling Film Impacts Unit Load Stability
Shrink bundling, the process where manufacturers combine items into a bundle bound together with shrink film, is a common practice in packaging. Shrink bundling is often used when functionality or unitization is a priority over appearance. We see shrink...
How to Eliminate Strapping
We've talked a lot in our Packaging Insights series about sustainability and the goal to reduce the amount of materials used in packaging. Companies are looking to lower costs, reduce waste, and improve efficiency. To help achieve this goal, we've worked...
Is Downgauging the Answer?
As manufacturers look to reduce costs and improve the sustainability of their operations, they target their packaging operations to see where they can make changes. This applies to primary product packaging like pouches, cartons, and bottles as well as...
Managing the Cost of Load Stability
When we talk about managing the costs of load stability, we're talking about managing the aspects of pricing, effectiveness, and sustainability. These are all important factors in the equation of the load (See: The Balancing Act of Cost, Performance &...
Monitoring for Success
When it comes to shipping products from the manufacturing facility out to the wholesaler or retailer, palletizing is one of the most impactful ways to create efficiency. Palletizing goods means you can move multiple cases as one unit, you can use forklifts...
Cube Efficiency
The efficiency with which you move products from one location to another - from manufacturing to retail, for example - plays a big part in sustainability, inventory management, and overall process efficiency. Your challenges are to load the trailer with...
Two Steps to Sustainability
One of the top business priorities for our customers is sustainability. While you each have your own unique sustainability goals and strategies, there are a number of similarities in what you're looking to achieve. In the packaging space, you want to...
Bringing the Experts Together
When we built the Packaging Solution Center in Charlotte in 2017, we were so excited to bring testing equipment together with integrated packaging lines, automated machines, and a full e-commerce fulfillment area. We were also beyond excited to have the...
The Most Sustainable Thing We Can Do in Stretch Packaging
Becoming sustainable means much more than checking a box for big corporations. Executives and employees are aware of conversations around earth-friendly practices and products, of consumers' sensitivity to recyclable and sustainably sourced products, and...
Not All Films Are Equal
Choosing the right film for your packaging is not as easy as picking a roll off the shelf. From the outside, most films look the same. It can be difficult to appreciate what sets a high performance film apart from a commodity film (See: Commodity Grade...
How To Navigate the Complexities of Packaging
There's a prevailing myth out there that stretch packaging is a fairly simple process. So much time, energy, and money has been invested in the primary packaging, the sales, inventory, and logistics, and now you need to get it wrapped up and out the...
Flipping the Script on Load Stability
A practice has developed in stretch wrapping where products are stacked inside the pallet so they're not flush with the edge. The intention with this inboard pattern is to protect the product by using the pallet as a barrier while it's handled on...
The Managed System Approach
When we launched the MUST monitoring hardware and software system in 2008, we recognized the need to keep track of performance over time so we would know how and when to troubleshoot any issues. Machines naturally degrade over time, operators change, film...
The Big Picture of Sustainable Packaging
Achieving sustainability is not as easy as following a straightforward formula. We talked in an earlier post about the balancing act of cost, performance, and sustainability and how striking that balance is tricky yet attainable. Success in sustainability...
Why We Can’t Just Set It and Forget It
An ideal scenario with your end-of-line packaging operation would be to find a solution that works and stick to it. And by "works" you need equipment that doesn't fail and materials that can protect your product. And all at the lowest possible cost.Over...
How to Adjust Packaging to Avoid Load Damage
Sometimes change comes from within. And sometimes, it's handed down from the top. When an executive decision is made to change the formula in end-of-line packaging, there are usually sound business and sustainability goals at the heart of it. Removing...
The Balancing Act of Cost, Performance & Sustainability
There are many factors that go into the science of load containment and load stability. But among some of the most important factors we have to consider are those just outside of the scientific or engineering equation. These are the business factors of...
Commodity Grade Films vs. High Performance Stretch Film
When presented with choices about which type of stretch film to use in your packaging operation, you might think "Why should I pay more for a high performance film? What's the difference between this one and the lower-priced competitors?"Based on our...
Cubing Out A Trailer … Vertically
Sustainability in packaging comes in many forms. We've discussed how using high performance film with proper application actually reduces the amount of film used and eliminates damage to your products in transit (See: How to Use Less Stretch Film for...
How to Use Less Stretch Film for Better Sustainability
https://player.vimeo.com/video/346886063]/embed]The first of the Three R's in the popular waste hierarchy of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle is REDUCE. Individuals and corporations can follow the Three R's as a basic guideline in achieving better sustainability. ...
Finding Our Way to Greener Packaging
Consumers today are more attuned to their environmental footprint than ever. This means they are more sensitive and thoughtful about the products they purchase. They're researching companies and engaging with brands directly on social media. They're reading labels,...
How Stack Patterns Affect Unit Load Stability
While pallets used in shipping and warehousing have become standardized in terms of size and structure, the products and packages stacked on top of them are ever-changing. In an ideal unit load, the products stacked on the pallet come to the very edges of...
Top 3 Reasons Package Testing Should be Part of Your Process
Since we introduced the TruMotion testing equipment at the Packaging Solution Center, we’ve had customers from a wide range of industries come in to test with us, many with different reasons for why they needed testing. CURRENT PACKAGING FAILS...
Take Your Packaging From Idea to Reality
When companies want to change up their packaging - whether it's to create a new version of their product with the primary packaging or to reduce shipping costs by altering the secondary packaging - the risk in making this change without first knowing...
Unpacking the Problem of Unit Load Damage
Load damage and load failure appear in many forms. Common examples include loads that are leaning, stretch film that’s punctured or broken, loads that have shifted off the pallet, or products that have broken through the film completely and toppled. And these...
Meeting Retailer Demands for Sustainable Packaging
Sustainability programs, complete with actionable goals and measurable targets, are becoming more mainstream among consumer product manufacturers. This is a great development for the environment while also cutting costs for the manufacturers and aligning...
The Load Damage Domino Effect
When a unit load experiences damage during transit, sometimes the results are dramatic. Product is spilled out all along the truck bed floor and you have a huge mess on your hands. Often, the results are less dramatic with damage manifesting as a severe...
How Consumer Demand for Variety Impacts Your Packaging
Years ago, retail and grocery shelves were pretty straightforward. Shoppers were presented with a selection that included many categories but relatively few varieties within each category. Yogurt, for example, was a simple decision of choosing plain...