Alternative Energy Packaging Solution - Solar Panels
The customer manufactures the full range of equipment and accessories required for any photovoltaic system configuration, such as solar panels. These modules are made of high-efficiency squared cells capable to produce power with only 4-5% solar radiation. At the customers’ site, solar panels were packed in triple wall corrugated boxes. Each box contained 20 panels and numerous shelves were needed to store and stack filled boxes. The space utilisation in the warehouse was not satisfying and therefore Nefab was asked to suggest a new solution.
After performing a Pack-Audit, Nefab provided a Nefab ExPak – custom crating prototype with a special pallet to simplify short side loading. The customer found the solution interesting since better space utilisation in the warehouse was obtained. It is now possible to stack eight boxes instead of three, making it possible to remove nearly all the shelves in the warehouse. Furthermore, each box contains 29 solar panels, which is an increase by almost 50%.
The Benefits for the customer
The advantages for the customer were instantaneous. A total cost reduction of more than 11% was achieved; and with 90% of the shelving removed, a great deal more space was gained in the warehouse. During the last three years, no damages have been detected and Nefab has also been chosen as a “Complete Packaging Solutions” supplier.
Uninterruptilble Power Supplies Manufacturer turns to Nefab
The customer is a leading manufacturer for uninterruptible power supplies and surge protection equipment. The manufacturers’ location supplies cooling solutions for the IT environment worldwide. The customer approached Nefab to design a Complete Packaging Solution (CPS) to transport their Cooling System from a subcontractor to their facility and finally worldwide to their customer base (truck and sea freight modes used). They needed to be able to ship an entire unit within a single box and fully utilise a 20’ ocean container.
Nefab’s in-house product engineering design team reviewed the situation and came up with a CPS design that utilised Nefab ExPak – export certified crating shipping container made from 6mm plywood. Inner dunnage consisted of die-cut corrugated board, foam and cut plywood to make individual compartments within the container.
Benefits for the Customer
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Utilises a 20’ shipping container
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Source their entire package from one supplier
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Reduced shipping expenses as compared to other
alternatives due to the lighter weight Nefab ExPak S
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Box can be opened and re-closed en route for inspections
and value added operations.