IT multinational moves to 100% sustainable packaging with HiLe’s intervention

Summary

The client was facing challenges with their existing non-sustainable packaging materials. They required an eco-friendly alternative that would not compromise efficiency. HiLe leveraged Computer Aided Design (CAD) software to drive a shift to sustainable packaging materials.

The context 

The client is a USA-based multinational IT company that develops and offers hardware products as well as software services to consumers, SMBs, and large enterprises. It boasts a rich legacy going back over 80 years, and in 2015, it split into two companies, representing its enterprise and personal-use product segments.

As a company that ships complex, fragile products across the world, the client was on the lookout for a packaging partner that would help optimize its packaging processes, and facilitate its migration to an efficient end-to-end shipment model (Fully Finished Goods Inventory or FFGI).

The challenge 

The client was facing several challenges related to packaging functionality and sustainability. The use of styrofoam as the primary packaging material presented significant limitations, particularly with shipping to countries with stringent sustainability standards. Migrating to biodegradable materials would compromise both functionality as its cushioning character would not be as efficient. Shipping configuration would also be compromised, affecting container maximization.

Unsustainable packaging | Shipping challenges

The HiLE solution

HiLe took a completely fresh look at the client’s existing packaging, conducting a thorough analysis of of the original packaging, while also:

• Utilizing CAD software to simulate the transition to eco-friendly molded paper pulp material
• Optimizing packaging size by simulating maximum part accommodation in shipping containers

The development process, from conceptualization to finalized solution, took 8 weeks. The tooling process was completed in just four weeks, aided by simulation to minimize risk.

The impact 

Our solutions helped prevent a direct material cost increase of 15%. The consistent maintenance of outer box sizes for both sustainable and non-sustainable SKUs helped optimize logistical costs and uphold our commitment to sustainability.

Ultimately, the adoption of sustainable packaging SKUs replaced the entire range of product packaging SKUs, and also contributed significantly to the clients sustainability objectives.

Cost savings | Eco-friendly packaging