SMED isn’t just for machines—it belongs in your logistics too.
In transportation, we often accept long load changeovers as “just part of the process.”
But what if we applied SMED thinking to the movement of goods?
🚚 Swapping load types
📦 Changing product lines or delivery formats
🔁 Resetting routes between shifts
Every delay in these transitions is non-value-added time.
And that’s exactly what SMED was built to eliminate.
With the right approach, you can:
✅ Pre-stage loads and materials
✅ Standardize packaging and handling methods
✅ Use quick-connect systems or modular carts
✅ Train teams to execute fast, repeatable changeovers
I've seen companies cut transport setup time by 60%—just by treating loading and transfer prep like a pit stop, not an afterthought.
💡 The result?
More deliveries per shift.
Less waiting.
Faster flow.
Because Lean doesn’t stop at the machine—it keeps moving all the way to your docks.
If you have a full container load (FCL) of goods that need to move urgently by sea freight there are a few options on how send the shipment. Each comes with trade-offs in cost, transit time and availability:
1. Fast/Expedited Sea Freight Services
Some carriers offer fast or premium sea freight services on major trade lanes (e.g. Asia–Europe, Asia–US).
These services use:
⦁ Priority loading/unloading.
⦁ Fewer port calls or direct sailings.
⦁ Shorter transit times (can shave several days off standard services).
Examples: Maersk’s AE7 or AE6 services, MSC’s SWISS EXPRESS.
2. Sea-Air Combined Transport
This is a multi-modal option where your container ships partway by sea then switches to air for the final leg (e.g. via Dubai, Singapore or Colombo).
⦁ Often used from Asia to Europe or the US.
⦁ Can cut transit time significantly compared to full sea freight.
3. Expedited Customs Clearance & Inland Handling
Whatever shipping method you choose, speeding up the landside processes helps:
⦁ Arrange pre-clearance of documents while cargo is en route.
⦁ Use express haulage or arrange late-night/weekend unloading if available.
⦁ Ensure port handling instructions are sent early.
⦁ Ensure communication is clear and information is accurate
4. Use a Niche or NVOCC Operator with Faster Routes
Sometimes non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs) have space on fast sailings others overlook. They can be more agile in urgent situations.
How do you handle urgent sea freight or large volume shipments?
#logistics#seafreight#shipping#cargo#freight
Packaging Takes Off.
Back in school, I was the self-appointed queen of paper planes. Naturally curious, I soon realised it wasn't about throwing harder... it was all in the folds.
A good crease in the right place and that scrappy bit of paper could fly halfway across the classroom (and sometimes straight into detention).
Fast forward, and that same thinking is reshaping packaging.
Researchers at VTT and Aalto University in Finland have taken the Miura fold, a pattern originally used to fold satellites, and applied it to paper-based packaging.
They've created packs that are lightweight, durable, and just as protective as plastic or foam. Only now, without the environmental baggage.
These folds do more than look good. They absorb impact, reduce material use, and even cut shipping weight. No overengineering, just smart problem-solving.
Think food boxes that don't need plastic liners. Ecommerce packaging that replaces bubble wrap. Luxury products wrapped in folds that feel more couture than carton.
And this isn't just a designer's dream. These structures are scalable, cost-effective, and ready to run down existing production lines.
Stora Enso is already testing the approach across everything from premium goods to everyday food containers, using recycled materials and cutting waste.
But packaging is just the start. Origami principles are popping up in collapsible furniture, modular buildings, even interior design. Proof that good design isn't just about how it looks. It's how it works.
Sustainability and functionality don't need to fight for space. With the right fold, they move together.
Sometimes, the sharpest ideas really do start on paper.
Time to unfold what's next.
📷VTT Technical Research Centre
Railway Consultant || Ex GM Railways ( Secy to Government of India’s grade ) || Chairman Rail Division India ( IMechE) || Empaneled Arbitrator - DFCC and IRCON || IEM at MSTC and Uranium Corp of India
Reducing Steel Logistics Costs in India: Strategic Framework
Logistics accounts for 10–20% of steel’s delivered cost and up to 28% of factory cost. Reducing this burden is key to improving competitiveness. A multi-pronged strategy involving infrastructure, modal shifts, digital tools, and policy reforms can yield significant savings.
1. Shift to Rail, Water, and Pipelines
Road transport, though flexible, is 2–3x costlier. Rail movement via rakes and sidings can cut costs by 20–30%. Inland waterways (e.g., Ganga, Brahmaputra) save 40–60% for long-haul bulk cargo. Slurry pipelines, at Rs. 80–100/tonne for 250 km, are vastly cheaper than rail or road and must be expanded for inland plants.
2. Leverage PFTs and DFCs
Private Freight Terminals reduce first/last-mile costs. Eastern and Western DFCs offer faster, reliable movement. Time-tabled rakes and rake-sharing improve predictability and lower costs.
3. Improve First & Last-Mile Efficiency
Rail sidings, Ro-Ro services, and containerization reduce handling loss and costs. Better road access to ports via PPPs boosts multimodal efficiency.
4. Upgrade Infrastructure
Developing dedicated rail/road corridors and multimodal logistics parks under Bharatmala and Sagarmala enhances connectivity. Coastal hubs at Vizag, Kandla, Paradip allow direct port loading, avoiding double handling.
5. Adopt Technology
Use of Transport Management Systems (TMS), GPS tracking, and AI-based route optimization improves asset utilization and reduces fuel use. Automation in loading/unloading cuts turnaround time and damages.
6. Streamline Supply Chain
Set up regional hubs near consumption centers. Aggregate demand to enable full-rake dispatch. Just-in-Time (JIT) inventory models cut warehousing and demurrage. Collaborate with 3PLs for cost-effective delivery and tracking.
7. Align with Policy & Incentives
Leverage the National Logistics Policy’s aim to reduce logistics costs to 5–6% of GDP. Tap freight subsidies, tax incentives for logistics infra, GST pass-through, and single-window clearance for sidings and terminals.
8. Optimize Last-Mile & Maintenance
Route planning tools reduce last-mile costs. Strategically located warehouses shorten delivery time. Preventive maintenance of fleets improves uptime and fuel efficiency.
Impact Snapshot
Rail over road: 20–30% cost saving
Waterways: 40–60%
Route optimization/backhauling: 10–15%
Terminal/siding access: 5–10%
Conclusion
Combining modal shift, infrastructure upgrades, tech adoption, and policy alignment can reduce logistics costs by up to 40%. This is critical to meeting India’s steel production target of 255–300 million tonnes by 2030 and boosting global competitiveness.
Eliminating plastic waste in food packaging at a fraction of production cost?
The food industry is a significant contributor to plastic waste, with packaging accounting for approximately 40.5% of all plastic produced in Europe. In the UK alone, supermarkets generate around 29.8 billion pieces of avoidable plastic waste annually, equating to over 1,000 pieces per household. This excessive plastic use not only leads to environmental pollution but also poses health risks, as microplastics have been found in various food products, potentially causing inflammation and other health issues.
Transitioning to seaweed-based packaging offers several cost-saving benefits for the food industry:
→Reduced Raw Material Costs: Seaweed is renewable and doesn’t need land, fertilisers, or fresh water, cutting production expenses. Example: Seaweed farming can yield up to 10 tons of dry mass per hectare annually.
→Lower Waste Management Expenses: Biodegradable and compostable, seaweed packaging reduces disposal costs. Example: The UK spends around £700 million annually on plastic waste disposal.
→Decreased Environmental Compliance Costs: Eco-friendly packaging helps meet regulations, avoiding fines. Example: The EU's Single-Use Plastics Directive drives sustainable packaging adoption.
→Enhanced Brand Value and Consumer Appeal: Sustainable packaging boosts reputation and sales. Example: 74% of consumers are willing to pay more for eco-friendly options.
→Potential for Government Incentives: Sustainable practices can earn grants or tax breaks. Example: The UK Plastic Packaging Tax incentivises biodegradable alternatives like seaweed.
Example project is Citizens of Soil | B Corp that has introduced single-serve pipettes for their Spanish Extra Virgin Olive Oil, utilising Notpla's seaweed-based materials that are 100% natural, biodegradable, home-compostable, vegan, and even edible. This innovative packaging aligns with their commitment to sustainability, offering consumers a convenient and eco-friendly way to enjoy premium olive oil. By adopting Notpla's solution, Citizens of Soil aims to reduce their environmental footprint and address plastic pollution in the food industry.
Good to the economy and the planet.
#oliveoil#food#sustainability#decarbonisation#waste#wastemanagement
𝗠𝘆𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗔𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲-𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲
As the world battles the environmental cost of single-use plastics and the staggering volumes of waste from excessive cardboard packaging, one solution is quite literally growing beneath our feet, mycelium.
Mycelium, the root-like structure of fungi, offers a powerful alternative to conventional packaging materials. When grown under the right conditions, it can be shaped into strong, lightweight, biodegradable forms that match or even outperform polystyrene and cardboard in protection and insulation. And when its job is done? It composts naturally, returning to the earth without leaving a trace.
Unlike plastic, which can take centuries to break down, or cardboard, which contributes heavily to deforestation and energy-intensive recycling processes, mycelium grows in days using agricultural waste as its feedstock. It requires no petrochemicals, no heavy industrial processing, and emits a fraction of the carbon. It’s a regenerative material, not just sustainable.
From protective packaging for electronics and wine bottles, to insulation panels and construction materials, the scope for this living technology is enormous. And for businesses serious about ESG targets, circular design, and long-term carbon footprint reduction, mycelium isn’t just an innovation, it’s a responsibility.
If we are to redesign the future of packaging, we must look to systems that mimic nature, not fight against it. Mycelium doesn’t just reduce waste. It transforms it.
Let’s grow a better future, literally.
#Mycelium#SustainablePackaging#CircularEconomy#Biotech#PlasticFree#ESG#WasteReduction#GreenInnovationAmazonASOS.comArgosTemueBayDPD UKDHLUPS
We improved our last-mile efficiency by 40% with a strategy Amazon used to make $4.1 billion in a quarter.
As logistics companies race to deliver faster, they're often bleeding money where it hurts most, which is the last mile (the final leg of a delivery from the warehouse to the customer's doorstep).
This final stretch from warehouse to doorstep makes up to 53% of total shipping costs.
At SHIPZIP, we took a counterintuitive approach.
Instead of chasing speed, we obsessively tracked one number:
👉 Cost Per Shipment (CPS)
It is the total expense of getting a package from our warehouse to the customer's doorstep.
This is how the industry giants are focusing on this metric:
📍 Amazon
They pivoted from speed obsession to neighborhood batching, dramatically cutting delivery costs.
This strategic shift boosted their North America operating income to $6.5 billion in Q4 2023, a staggering $6.7 billion increase year-over-year, yielding a 6.1% operating margin. Their focus on cost-efficiency over pure speed transformed their balance sheet.
📍 Flipkart
They slashed CPS by strategically placing distribution centers closer to customers. Through their logistics arm, Ekart, they now handle 10 million monthly shipments across 3,800+ pin codes in India.
This hub placement strategy simultaneously reduced rental costs and improved delivery predictability.
📍 Delhivery
They implemented AI-driven route optimization that minimizes both distance and time while maximizing deliveries per trip.
Their smart algorithms evaluate traffic patterns, package dimensions, and delivery windows in real-time. These technologies have significantly reduced fuel consumption and operational costs while keeping deliveries on schedule.
Here's how we cut our cost per shipment:
→ We analyzed our Tier 1 delivery routes and found they prioritized speed over cost-efficiency.
So we regrouped deliveries by neighborhood and reduced crosstown trips. This helped us to optimize CPS and cut fuel costs by 22%.
→ We found that smaller vans, though carrying fewer packages, could weave through traffic more easily, allowing our drivers to make more deliveries in less time.
→ Most importantly, we found that compromising slightly on delivery windows dramatically improved profits. Rushing a single package to meet a tight deadline often costs 3X more than batching it with others.
Interestingly, after we optimized for cost per shipment, our customers noticed the change.
It was not because we told them, but because deliveries became more predictable and reliable, with fewer missed attempts and damaged packages.
What's your biggest frustration with last-mile delivery services?
#LastMileOptimization#LogisticsStrategy#CostPerShipment
Costco buyers don’t care about your sleek, minimalist DTC packaging. Here’s what actually turns their heads.
Many brands mistakenly assume their packaging designed to wow online shoppers will crush it at club retail. But Costco and Sam’s Club aren’t DTC scaled up — they’re COMPLETELY different worlds.
When it comes to packaging for club channels like Costco and Sam’s, here’s what buyers truly value:
—
Shelf presence at 8–12 feet
✅ big, bold graphics readable from a distance
✅ clear value messaging (“2X More”, “Family Pack”)
✅ simple color blocking (“billboarding”) — no fine print
👉 club shoppers are navigating massive aisles stacked high.
—
Tray & structural integrity are non-negotiable
✅ trays must hold product facing front and upright
✅ reinforced corners to survive “grab & drag”
✅ pallet height restrictions (often 60–72 inches)
✅ optimized pallet cube design = shipping & handling savings
👉 Your packaging is also your in-store display.
—
High velocity, fast replenishment
✅ easy to restock — quick to unbox, handle, and replenish
✅ meets Costco/Sam’s packaging test standards (32 ECT min)
✅ right-sized packs — no handling nightmares
👉 buyers love packaging that makes floor teams faster.
—
Brand consistency & club channel nuance
✅ stay premium — but adapt messaging boldly for club shoppers
✅ recognize club requires clear, visual storytelling
Costco and Sam’s buyers want functional packaging that pops at retail distance, survives brutal handling, optimizes pallet space, and instantly conveys bold value.
#cpg#costco#clubstore#retail#packagingdesign
----
🌭 pro tip: successful brands prioritize full-stack operational thinking early — packaging engineering, pallet optimization, and store-level shopper insight — not just pretty graphics.
Done properly, club packaging drives margins, velocity, and operational efficiency. All things Costco & Sam’s buyers care deeply about.