Bright ideas:

The best magazine handling solution

2

Magazine commissioning and distribution solutionThe sale and distribution of magazines is an increasingly demanding logistical process. An expanding range of different magazine titles pass through distribution centres, from which they need to be quickly shipped to a mass of retail outlets such as newsagents, bookstores, supermarkets and petrol stations.

3

Distribution centre staff must pick unique orders each day, dependent on the varying requirements of each of their retail outlet clients. Plus, retailers have the right to return any unsold magazines and be re-credited for items returned in good condition.

This complex flow of deliveries and returned stock places increasing demands on packaging in the supply chain. The industry is searching for new efficiencies and better handling solutions, while keeping the product in prime condition. Traditional magazine strapping methods no longer meet these demands, and increasingly plastic crates are replacing them.

This move towards more standardised packaging and application of ergonomic intelligence has dramatically improved efficiency, best working practice and health and safety. Valuable magazines are protected in transit and arrive in a neat stack, helping retailers and publishers.

This is the third edition of ‘Bright Ideas’ in which improvements to magazine handling using plastic crates are explained. The following topics will be addressed in further editions:

Order pickingDistributionReturnsAdvantages of CurTec’s solutions

4

Packaging solution for magazine handlingMagazines have a short commercial lifespan, but profitability can be optimised by shrinking the time between printing and sale. To continue meeting the needs of publishers and retailers, distributors are constantly looking for new efficiency gains.

Automating part of the process is the most effective way to achieve this. With plastic crates, conveyor belts can be used which reduces the amount of manual lifting. When this process is complete, plastic crates can be automatically stacked in large numbers ready for delivery.

CurTec has consulted with ergonomists throughout the design process to make crates easy to use when manual handling is required. All aspects of human interaction with the crates were studied in detail including the required loading and lifting heights. Handgrips make the crates easier to carry than cardboard boxes or plastic-strapped bundles.

5

Inventive solution for effective conditioning

Often retailers bundle the returned magazines themselves or use banana boxes. If the returns are not packed properly, this creates a lot of problems during processing. In short, the proposed solution causes a lot of inconvenience. CurTec has developed an inventive solution for effective conditioning.

CurTec’s plastic lidded crate provides a very clever solution to this problem. They keep all of the magazines in a neat and stable stack to minimize the damage of magazines.

6

Major advantages of the CurTec magazine cratesCurTec’s cases make handling by machines and staff as simple as possible. Crates have a fixed place for the attachment of barcodes, allowing them to be easily scanned for tracking and tracing. Major advantages of CurTec’s cases:

Easy handling through ergonomic design Magazines are kept in a neat and stable stack Magazines are protected from damage Additional fastening eliminated Returns process is made simpler

Smart and stable. Typical CurTec!

7

Selecting the best possible packaging for your product is a real challenge...You need packaging that offers the right protection, safe and easy handling and smooth integration with your operations, while boosting your product’s image and satisfying the quality requirements of your entire supply chain.

CurTec offers a full consultation service, working with you to identify the best packaging solution to meet your needs. We support your own in-house expertise with innovative solutions that reduce costs and add value to your product.

Apply for a FREE

Packaging Requirement Consultation

Click here to applyor contact the Sales Department: +31 161 221 911

8

About CurTec

CurTec designs, manufactures and distributes High Performance Packaging for various logistic applications.

All Materials handling products add value to your supply chain. Visit our website for more product info or contact the Sales Department: