Poor Packaging Causing Damage to Shipments, Study Says

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Poor unit load wrapping could potentially cost manufacturers approximately $388 million in product damage, says a new study released by Carolina Supply Chain Services, a division of Carolina Logistics Services here, and sponsored by Dow Chemical. Inconsistent application of packaging material and limited and inappropriate use of stabilization devices (dunnage) in trailers are contributing to poor stabilization of unit loads, and may lead to significant product damage as the unit loads move through the supply chain. “One of the key findings of the study is that the most prevalent types of damage to unit loads include shifting, ripped or loose packaging, crushing, water damage and infestation - all scenarios that can be minimized by the proper use of the right unitization technology,” said Mike Rawlins, director of performance research systems at CSCS, in a statement.