In a first for Australia, Wiring Solutions Plus at Underdale in South Australia is trialling the use of US-made Box Latch products with REDARC Electronics at Lonsdale, in a B2B closed‐loop pilot in metropolitan Adelaide.
Wiring Solutions Plus (WSP) and REDARC have agreed to test the feasibility of the Box Latch systems on the basis that they eliminate costly, labour‐ intensive practices, reduce the potential for injuries and develop a system for the return of the collapsed cartons and Box Latch units to WSP for re‐use.
Mark Pickering, managing director of WSP, said, “We’re interested to see how this goes and hopeful for success for all involved.”
Thousands of cartons with WSP wiring looms are shipped to REDARC every year. The Box Latch enables these cartons to be reused up to 20 times, yielding thousands of dollars in savings for boxes, but, more importantly, keeping the corrugated cardboard from being recycled and rather allowing it to be reused, which supports REDARC’s environmental goals and company values.
Due to the uneven spread of weight in the single‐wall cartons, WSP is trialling two large Box Latches on the carton base, and one on the top to temporarily close the cartons for shipping.
Early testing at the WSP facilities by Australian associate and sales representative for Box Latch Products, Phil Southam of KHP Business Solutions, indicates two latches will hold the 11kg weight in the current boxes.
Southam said, “If WSP’s pilot program works as expected, it is likely WSP will move to double‐wall cartons to provide more strength, longevity and security.”
Stronger cartons will cost a bit more but will prove to be cost‐effective in the long run as well as reducing the need for two Box Latches on the bottom.
Pickering said, “Richard Burley [supply chain manager] from REDARC has provided positive feedback on the first trial and would like for it to continue.”
A further 150 Box Latch units have been supplied for the ongoing testing program.
Packaging tape cut
Using a cost savings calculator provided by Eco Latch Systems, manufacturer of Box Latch, projections are that WSP will be able to pay for the Box Latches simply from the savings on tape.
As cartons are temporally closed with Box Latches they will be palletised, shrink‐wrapped and shipped to REDARC. A side benefit is that by eliminating the need for tape, this removes the risks for injuries and damage to box contents from sharp blades after arriving at REDARC.
A key part of this pilot project will be working with REDARC to coordinate the return of the collapsed cartons to WSP so they can restart the closed‐loop.
The Clip & Stack
In the current setting, when the cartons reach REDARC, every box has all four flaps cut off to facilitate ease of access to the components for assembly. This is labour intensive and generates serious risks for lacerations.
In order to save the carton and return it to WSP for re‐use, REDARC will use another product by Eco Latch Systems, the Clip & Stack (sometimes referred to as the Corner Clip & Stack).
Designed to hold carton flaps out of the way for packing or unpacking, one or two Clip & Stacks can be used to keep flaps down and open as contents are added or removed. This eliminates catching on roller systems feeding the assembler. With the use of four Clip & Stacks, boxes can be stacked two to four high saving considerable floorspace. This also prevents employees from being hit in their faces or bodies by box flaps on shelves, provides for neat and well managed shelf/rack space and prevents employees from tripping as a result of open flapped cartons on floors.
As with the Box Latches, the Clip & Stacks can be used hundreds or thousands of times so only a small number may be required depending on how many open cartons are required for packing or assembly at any one time.
Since this innovative product allows for cartons to be stacked while open, pre‐constructing them during slow times allows for them to be ready when needed at peak times.
