Let’s set the stage: You’re a leading, internationally respected cybersecurity firm. There is proprietary hardware involved. One would assume that being a technology leader, your hardware would be shipped, packaged and unboxed in a manner that would reflect your brand and your company’s strong commitment to sustainability. But the reality is that it’s not. Plus, budgets being budgets, you see that your material and transit costs are soaring. Where do you go to fix the problem?
A leading electronics manufacturer went halfway around the world to choose BoldtSmith. At BoldtSmith, we understand that well-designed, sustainable packaging solutions don’t have to come at a premium. In fact, sustainable solutions can be the most cost-effective option. Read on to learn how we helped this company achieve significant results, along with insights from their Director of Product Sustainability.
The Challenge: Excessive Plastic and Overly Complicated Packaging
The company was specifically focusing on its refurbished product line. It was, in some way, ironic that a product that was not thrown away—but rather demonstrated the company’s commitment to recycling—was shipped with excessive plastic and foam. Not only was this wasteful, but it was also driving up costs.
“Many people don’t realize it, but roughly 2% of the world’s CO2 emissions come from the IT industry,” said the Director of Product Sustainability. “We selected BoldtSmith as a partner because they not only helped us find the best solution, they helped us demonstrate to our industry that you can achieve both cost reduction and sustainability.”
Stepping up is what leaders do. This company is continuing to take meaningful action to back up their corporate sustainability pledge.
BoldtSmith’s NET GREEN™ Solution
Led by BoldtSmith engineer Max Zukowski, our team made no assumptions. We literally stepped in by conducting a thorough on-site analysis of the client’s current packaging solutions. Through visits to their North American locations in Vancouver and the Bay Area, we identified two immediate opportunities to improve the existing packaging: it was both overengineered and overpriced.
Through our holistic approach to sustainability—considering factors such as assembly, pricing, logistics, and environmental impact—BoldtSmith developed a new packaging solution that reduced plastic use by 95%. This solution also delivered substantial cost savings. We call this approach NET GREEN™. Rather than focusing solely on changing materials, the value comes from looking at the big picture, from assembly line to freight. When you do, solutions can be both sustainable and economically viable.
Additional key benefits of the new packaging solution include:
- Significant cost reduction: Annual savings of USD 200K on packaging materials
- Reduced waste and labor: Consolidation and reduction of materials; packaging innovations reduced labor by 2,000 hours/year
- Improved logistics: 10X decrease in packaging size, leading to reduced transportation costs
- Increased plant efficiency: Significant warehouse space becomes available for other uses
- Enhanced sustainability: Elimination of 95% of plastics used in packaging
Moving into Phase Two: Expanding the Impact
Success breeds success. Upon completion of the first phase, BoldtSmith is now working with the company to develop sustainable packaging solutions for their first-ever, most popular product line, which is manufactured in Taiwan. This presents a more complex challenge with increased volume and supply chain intricacies.
Objectives of this phase are to:
- Eliminate plastic from packaging
- Simplify assembly and reduce material inventory through common components
- Enhance product presentation and customer experience
Currently, we are vetting two solutions tailored to support different product weights and provide maximum protection. This testing simulates the actual product journey through the supply chain. Using molded pulp and heavy corrugated materials, BoldtSmith is confident that the solution will achieve these objectives and most likely deliver a cost-effective solution that improves the company’s bottom line.
“Working with BoldtSmith really opened our eyes,” says their Director of Product Sustainability. “All of the data they were able to show us through their methodology was astonishing. And they were able to translate that data into a smart solution that made it an easy decision.”
Win, Win.
BoldtSmith’s approach to packaging is a testament to the belief that sustainability and cost efficiency can coexist. Not only do these solutions lead to major cost savings and sustainability enhancements, but they also dramatically improve the customer experience and product presentation. By challenging industry norms and providing innovative solutions, we are helping businesses across sectors—from consumer packaged goods to medical equipment—achieve their environmental goals without compromising profit.
“BoldtSmith provided us with tons of value,” says their Director of Product Sustainability, “not just with design but for our business operations as well.”
Would you like to learn more about BoldtSmith’s packaging solutions or discuss your specific packaging challenges? Contact us today.