Knauf Insulation has introduced an innovative
new method of packaging that will deliver major benefits to
customers using Crown® Insulation, its market leading brand of
glass mineral wool insulation. Using advances in compression
technology and stronger packaging materials, two innovations –
Durapak® and SupaKube® – will supersede conventional methods of
insulation wrapping and bring delivery methods into the
twenty-first century.
Two separate, but complementary, packaging processes are involved:
wrapping the product itself and then creating the optimum delivery
unit. In the first stage, individual rolls are compressed and
tightly wrapped in a single-layer of polypropylene to form a neat,
flat-ended, cylindrical ‘block’ of insulation. As its name –
Durapak® – suggests, the new packaging is far more robust than the
usual paper, bag, film and metal clipped wrapping generally used
and is much more capable of withstanding rough handling.
The second stage is to create a SupaKube® – a pallet of up to 24
Durapak® rolls – for delivery to the customer. The rolls are placed
on a ‘two-way’ pallet – which allows them to be lifted by a
forklift from any direction – compressed for a second time to
remove the airgaps between them, and then tightly wrapped in a
single-layer of polyethylene to form a compact ‘cube’.
The new compression and packaging system will bring major benefits
throughout the supply-chain and especially for Knauf Insulation’s
customers. Compressing the product means that more product can be
delivered on the same truck, for example: distributors ordering a
‘full-load’ will now receive an additional 60 rolls; 480 rather
than 420 rolls – an increase of 15%. It also means that more
product can be stored in less space and, as the wrap is
weatherproof, it can even be stored outside; a benefit that will
further reduce warehousing costs.
Handling is much easier and offloading and loading times much
faster. In fact, back-to-back tests showed that unloading a
full-load of 20 SupaKubes® was an incredible 12 times faster than
unloading loose rolls and took less manpower! In addition, the
stronger packaging means less likelihood of damage to the product
and, therefore, less wastage.
Talking of which, the single-layer of wrapping means less packaging
waste for users to dispose of and that adds up to lower costs in
labour, skip hire and landfill charges.
“Compared to other countries, storing and distributing mineral wool
insulation in the UK and Ireland has been an inefficient process,”
said Mark Andrews, Knauf’s Deputy Managing Director. “Apart from
delivering, handling and storing ‘fresh-air’, distributors,
merchants and users also suffer higher warehousing and labour
costs, so it’s great to say that our new method of packaging will
offer big benefits to everyone in the supply chain!”
For more details about Knauf Insulation products, or to obtain
copies of their literature, please call 08700 668 660 or e-mail
info@knaufinsulation.com quoting ID: KR12204.
® Registered Trademark of Knauf Insulation
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