The existing box, with the accessories filling the voids, provided inadequate protection during distribution. The replacement utilises a special profile tray that fulfilled two key requirements: firstly the complete hose system could be wound neatly inside the tray and the trapezium-shaped sides would prevent the heavy metal end connections moving in transit and, secondly, the open aperture was designed to allow the vulnerable castors to sit inside the lip. The tray shape also gives higher than normal strength, allowing a medium-strength double corrugated to be used for the self-locking tray.
DS Smith's customer says its packaging operation has been much simplified and, by placing the machine onto the tray, the previous lifting height has been reduced by 60%, addressing manual handling concerns. The machine is then strapped to the tray, which has hands holes to assist handling. A half-slotted container with fully overlapping flaps completes the pack.
