There comes a time in every business’s story when the confines of the office are just too small to contain a growing team with big ideas and long-term plans for growth. While you might put the office move on the back-burner for a little while, it will become inescapable after a while.

Every large company has endured numerous office moves – Facebook, for example, started in a dorm room, while Amazon began in a garage. In this post, we’ll explain the office move process in detail so you can be settled into your new space in no time.

Cardboard boxes: the first step

The first thing you need to think about with regards to cardboard boxes is the weight they’ll be holding. Haphazardly packing bulky items away in a box that can’t handle their weight is a recipe for disaster, so make sure you’ve bought the correct type of box.

Double wall cardboard boxes are your best bet for extra strength, while a palletised container system might be preferable for a large-scale move utilising a logistics chain. However, if all you’re moving is a stack of documents and the odd desk trinket, a single wall box is more than enough for the job.

Colour coding: an essential

Picture the scene. Your whole team has moved into an empty office space and there’s a stack of boxes waiting to be unpacked. It looks like it’ll take the whole afternoon to sort everything out between departments, but you’ve done something very savvy as an office manager master tactician – you’ve colour-coded the boxes with colourful packing tape.

This makes the whole process a whole lot easier, and it needn’t stop at colour coding. Use our range of custom tape to display just about anything you want on a box – a simple ‘fragile’ label could be vital in the moving process, for example.

Bubble wrap packaging: for peace of mind

It’s always best to have peace of mind through the moving process, as you’re putting the entire contents of your office in the hands of removal professionals who could make a mistake, drop your box and generally ruin your day.

Lining your large cardboard boxes with bubble wrap to cushion impacts and keep things in mint condition should be a high priority for your business. Buying in bulk from Kendon will ensure peace of mind for the move and any other shipping challenges that might occur in the future.

If you’re moving electronics, you’ll also need packing foam sheets to prevent static discharge and loose fill for further bump protection, as well as bubble pouches for small or fragile items.

So, whatever kind of office move you’re embarking on, choose us as your packaging supplier. We’ve got decades of experience packaging just about anything you can imagine, so you’ll be in safe hands with Kendon.

Browse our full range of products and get in contact, either by calling us on +44 1992 702470 or filling out our email form here – where you can expect a prompt response from a packaging expert.

With the festive season rapidly approaching, everyone from large-scale retailers to Auntie Sue will be looking to utilise the postal service this month. With that in mind, today we’re bringing you something a little different – breaking down Royal Mail’s postal rules and regulations ahead of the holiday rush to ensure you can continue to send deliveries hassle-free, all with the peace of mind that your item will arrive in time for the big day.

With Christmas almost in full swing, ensure you know the ins and outs of what to expect from postal deliveries during this typically busy period. To guarantee you’re adhering to all the rules and regulations when sending letters, parcels and more, explore our range of postal products today.

Given that our lives are now increasingly built around the internet, and technology is constantly evolving, electronic devices are sneaking their way to the top of consumer’s wishlists. Whether you’re shipping the latest iPhone or a shiny new smart speaker, electronic devices contain thousands of fragile parts, which means they need to be suitably packaged for optimum protection in transit.

That’s why in today’s post, we’ll be discussing how to ensure your electronics are safely and securely packed during the shipping process. With tips on choosing the right containers, picking packaging equipment and protecting smaller parts, using our advice, you’ll be able to ship your products with peace of mind that they’ll arrive in one piece.

Choosing the right box

The box is ultimately the first wall of defence for your electronics to survive the shipping process, so it’s essential to pick the right one that offers the best possible protection for your products. For added protection, it can pay to opt for a box with double-walled corrugated cardboard – delivering a robust outer layer to absorb more impact on route.

Another important consideration is box size. A box that’s too big could leave your product rattling around, putting thousands of fragile and expensive parts at risk of damage. Additionally, if the outer box becomes damaged, it could dent and damage the contents. On the other hand, choosing a box that’s too small may cause it to press against the walls of the inner box, again, resulting in potential damage to goods. So, for optimum protection, we’d recommend choosing a box with a 3cm gap around the item or inner packaging that it’s protecting.

Picking your packaging equipment

To safeguard your product further, ensure they’re wrapped individually before placing them in a box – particularly for items which can be easily broken such as glass screens or small, delicate components.

When shipping smaller or fragile items, consider packing them alongside packing peanuts. Their shape is designed to interlock when compressed, offering a strong cushioned layer between the product and the outer box. For added protection for very fragile or small pieces that could collide with other items in the box, we’d suggest wrapping them in packing foam sheets or bubble wrap to protect against scratches or dents. Ultimately, when it comes to smaller items, the more protection added, the more likely your item will be to arrive undamaged and in full working order.

Not all electronics will require such robust packing materials, yet it’s important to remember that they can still be broken in transit. Housing them in snug padded envelopes with bubble wrap lining is an effective choice here. Items such as wires or DVDs will be adequately protected in padded envelopes, as they’ll have little room for movement, while also being safeguarded against damage with their high performance cushioning.

Protecting smaller components

Some electronics also come with smaller components such as headphones, USB cables or memory devices such as SIM cards. These items can often get lost or damaged in the post, so it’s essential the outer box is secured properly with suitable packaging materials. One option is to bulk up these items with an additional layer of bubble wrap to restrict their free-flow and ensure that they don’t slide through any gaps in the outer box – all while safeguarding them from damage. Alternatively, these could be secured within the box with tape.

If any of your products include batteries, these should be wrapped separately from the main product to ensure they don’t get crushed or pierced. This is because batteries contain hazardous fluid that could damage other items they come into contact with, so a plastic seal or bubble wrap around them should prevent dangerous liquids from seeping into the rest of the package – giving you and your customers added peace of mind.

Making sure things stay as they should be throughout the packaging and shipping process is a big part of what we do here at Kendon Packaging. After all, there’s no use in making packaging that looks great if the products or goods inside have been damaged in transit. This is where protective packaging products come in, preventing damage to products and avoiding subsequent customer distress.

Bubble wrap

As one of the UK’s leading packaging companies, we know our bubble wrap well. This venerable product has been a mainstay of packaging for a long time, and it can protect a wide variety of items from harm. From wine glasses to antiques, anything that you’re packing for a long-distance shipping job, make sure there’s plenty of bubble wrap involved and you shouldn’t have any issues.

Our bubble wrap is available in both small and large bubble configurations, and in a variety of roll lengths that’ll give your business the flexibility it needs. We can also supply bubble wrap with an anti-static coating for the packaging of electronics, as well as kraft paper, foam and foil.

Packing foam

If bubble wrap isn’t quite what you need, packing foam can also fit the bill. Available in sheets, it can provide a layer of protection to preserve the finish of high-value items when in transit. This small amount of foam can be the difference between a high-quality customer experience and one that is less than satisfying.

As part of our bespoke packaging offering, we can tailor foam sheets to any shape you desire, ensuring an added level of safeguarding for your products.

Packing peanuts

We don’t recommend eating these peanuts, but for packaging, they’re an absolute treat. An effective void fill product for trickily sized packing boxes, they’re excellent at protecting just about anything that might rattle around and get damaged inside a box. What’s more, packing peanuts can be used multiple times – an important feature that will come in handy for intra-company logistics.

Silica gel sachets

Small but mighty, silica gel sachets are often the unsung heroes of protective packaging. Silica gel is a type of desiccant, a family of chemicals that absorbs and holds water vapour – vitally important if you’re looking to prevent moisture from getting into whatever product you’re packaging.

Silica gel is a crucial component if you’re transporting electronics that could be damaged by condensation within the package, as well as clothing, jewellery and just about anything that can be harmed by excess moisture. Buying your gel sachets right here at Kendon ensures a great price for a wholesale amount of these small sachets, ensuring that you won’t be caught out and unable to fulfil an order.

Solving the nation’s packaging problems is one of our passions, and is the reason why we’re such a respected name in the packaging game. Give us a call on +44 1992 702470 or email us at sales@kendon.co.uk to speak to one of our expert advisors, and we’ll be happy to revolutionise your company’s packaging strategy.

Here at Kendon, we’ve been at the forefront of innovation in the UK packaging sector for several decades, so we’re always keeping our ears to the ground with regards to what the modern consumer wants from their packaging solutions.

Today’s post will focus on a largely online trend that’s having a big impact on the packaging industry – the phenomenon of the unboxing video.

A brief explainer

One of the most lucrative avenues for YouTube content creators is to film themselves opening the latest technology and toys and provide a brief overview for viewers. The smooth, satisfying-to-open packaging of a sought-after product such as the iPhone X will capture millions of viewers and lead to a huge number of subscribers.

These videos are all about the packaging experience and how a consumer can get excited about a product without having even purchased the product.

What packaging companies can do

Unboxing videos aren’t going away – you can search for just about any product and see a video of all its packaging laid bare under the critical eye of millions of viewers. The packaging sector needs to be wary of this – as a partnership with a tech company could be in jeopardy if the packaging isn’t as much of a positive experience as it could possibly be.

It sounds harsh, but it’s true – so companies need to make sure their custom box options are as robust as possible to avoid disappointment that might be broadcast across the internet. Making sure packing foam is as high-quality as it can possibly be is another important step, as this can prevent damage to the marquee item in transit.

An elaborate packaging system designed to wow digital content creators is all well and good, but putting functionality first is important – so make sure electronic items are adequately packaged to prevent electrostatic discharge, and include silica gel sachets to reduce the appearance of moisture. The most important thing for 90% of your consumers is that the product actually works at the end of the shipping process.

Remember the environment

In today’s eco-conscious climate, it’s important to make sure that your flashy packaging is also easily recyclable. Shipping boxes made of cardboard offer an easy way to achieve this, while most void fill can be swapped for an eco-friendly alternative. Having a 100% sustainable packaging mix can earn kudos from online influencers, so don’t discount this as a strategy.

We at Kendon are well placed to offer our expertise regarding eco-friendly packaging solutions, as we have a number of environmental best practices in operation across our manufacturing sites.

We’re also passionate about solving packaging quandaries for the UK’s largest businesses – we’ve been doing this since 1933, so we have all the expertise to help you, no matter the problem you face.

Email us at sales@kendon.co.uk to speak to a packaging expert, or give us a ring on +44 1992 702470 and we’ll start crafting a bespoke packaging solution together.

Making sure businesses have the prerequisite tools to do their packaging jobs effectively is one of our prime missions here at Kendon Packaging. Not only do we sell raw packaging materials to businesses, we also supply a range of packaging equipment designed to fulfil an array of tasks quickly and effectively.

In this post, we’ll be running through our range of equipment and machines that make the packaging process a whole lot smoother and easier for suppliers, business and consumers.

Sealing tools

Making sure a box is properly sealed is vital for the efficient and safe dispatch of postal products, which is why there’s a huge market in types of sealing machine that do this job quickly and effectively.

Our range of sealing machines includes a Hand Strapping Sealing Tool, which is used in conjunction with a tensioner. If heat sealing is your bag, then we supply polythene heat sealers that transform raw plastic into useful bags – and don’t forget, eco-friendly poly alternatives work in this type of machine too.

Film dispensers

A crucial element of the pallet shipping procedure is wrapping products in poly film. Our Hand Stretch Film Dispenser makes this easy, by providing superior, long-haul shipping ready tension, no matter what you’re wrapping.

A few film dispensers are a crucial addition to any small to medium scale logistics operation – and if you order in bulk you can be certain that you won’t be left short-handed at crucial fast-turnaround moments.

Guns

Glue guns have an application far beyond arts and crafts – they’re an integral part of precision adhesion in industry. A hot glue gun provides a swift injection of fast-drying adhesive that forms a strong bond with just about any material. It’s ideal for sealing plastic cartons of all sizes and for packaging specifically used for frozen food, as these require a little more sealing to prevent the food spoiling.

Our Handheld Shrink Gun is another device that can revolutionise your packaging setup. The RIPAK2000 Shrink Gun expels gas-powered heat to mould plastic wrapping around any pallet-borne item, making sure no spoilage occurs during the distribution process. This is especially useful for fragile items that would be otherwise harmed by dust or debris.

Our commitment

We have a strong commitment to making sure that we remain as responsible as possible for the environment as a large-scale manufacturer of packaging and the requisite equipment. Our range of waste converters, for example, take everyday waste paper and turn it into ultra-useful void fill – reducing the demand for less environmentally-friendly alternatives and in turn making the world’s supply chains more responsible.

Give us a call on +44 1992 702470 with your packaging queries, or shoot us an email at sales@kendon.co.uk to find out more about our range of packaging equipment.

A quality packaging provider is essential for all companies that have a supply chain – without it, goods would be damaged, shipping space wouldn’t be optimised and fulfilment of orders simply wouldn’t happen.

As one of the UK’s largest packaging companies, we’re well aware of our status as a supplier to plenty of logistics operations big and small – so in this post, we’re sharing some industry wisdom to help companies make sure their logistics packaging effort is as good as it possibly can be.

Make sure your packaging protects

Whatever product you’re moving in a logistics network, it needs to be protected adequately from anything that may happen during the shipping process. From large amounts of bubble wrap roll protecting fragile items to sturdy, stackable cardboard boxes, protection should be your first consideration.

If you’re shipping electrical goods, then you need to make sure that they’re packed adequately to minimise static – so invest in anti-static bags alongside your bubble wrap to eliminate customer disappointment.

Streamline the process

Making sure your packaging supplies help the supply chain work swiftly and effectively is a consideration that could revolutionise delivery speeds and overall efficiency. Pallet-based solutions are the best way to do this, so all logistics companies should make sure that their pallet packaging is up to standard.

A swift and efficient heat sealer used in conjunction with pallet wrap is an essential, as this type of protective packaging prevents dust and other free radicals from damaging whatever you’re shipping. Without such efficient application offered by both pallet strapping and wrap, you may find that damage occurs during your logistics process.

Don’t forget the marketing aspect

The shipping boxes you use in your logistics operation don’t have to be plain – in fact, they offer a fantastic opportunity to customise and advertise your brand. Think of how simple yet ubiquitous the Amazon arrow is as it appears on all its boxes – your brand could opt for something similar and have a unified brand identity across all channels, which’ll boost awareness of your brand, especially in the current era of unboxing videos.

Keep things eco-friendly

Logistics places a lot of strain on the environment. From Co2-emitting lorries to the large amounts of waste produced, there are plenty of places where an increased focus on environmental issues could pay dividends.

Using recycled material for your shipping supplies where possible is an easy way to immediately cut down on your operation’s environmental impact. From there, companies could then look onwards to more expensive measures such as swapping the delivery fleet to electric or hybrid vehicles and instigating a pallet recycling programme.

These considerations are all essential parts of the challenges we seek to solve here at Kendon Packaging. We’re always striving to improve our own eco-friendliness, all alongside crafting bespoke packaging solutions for our customers.

If you’d like to find out more and discuss our full range of packaging services, give us a call on +44 1992 702470 or email us at sales@kendon.co.uk – we’ll always be happy to help.

With the UK government announcing they’ll introduce a tax on plastic packaging in 2022 to push the move towards using more sustainable alternatives, it seems that businesses can no longer avoid the need to become greener with their packaging solutions.

And while the transition may pose a number of challenges to business owners and their operations along the way, the good news is that the swap to eco-friendly packaging alternatives does come with a raft of benefits for your business. From improved brand perception and shipping costs reductions, in this post, we’ll be highlighting a number of reasons why going green can be a positive change for the environment, as well as for business.

Reduced carbon footprint

Recycled packaging solutions are designed to reduce their impact on the environment through a more Earth-friendly production process to deliver recyclable packaging materials. This all contributes to reducing the amount of carbon dioxide emissions both during production and in their use.

Therefore, probably the most obvious benefit to accompany the switch to sustainable packaging solutions is the reduction that your business operations can have on the environment as a whole, which is always a good thing.

However, effectively implementing a sustainable packaging policy within your business should also mean you use less packaging on goods. From an environmental point of view this can significantly decrease the amount of waste packaging within your company, but for your business’s bottom line, less packaging also means lighter cargo, working towards reducing CO2 emissions through transportation.

Lower shipping costs

Following on from the benefits of lighter packaging and its impact on your company’s carbon footprint, you’ll be pleased to know that recycled packaging could also contribute to lowering shipping costs.

For large-scale businesses carrying out manufacturing, lighter packaging being transported from production to the end-user inevitably means reduced transportation expenses – particularly when incorporated into a more energy-efficient logistics strategy.

For e-Commerce operations, they can enjoy instant savings with lower postage costs when sending out packages. To further reduce costs, online retailers should also consider their returns process, ensuring that packaging can be reused to send items back – as this cuts back on costs and excess waste that’s bad for both business and the planet.

Better brand buy-in

Naturally, it isn’t just businesses that are realising their negative effects on the environment, consumers are becoming more environmentally aware too, which has a direct impact on the products they buy and the brands they choose to shop with.

This is particularly true with millennials and the new Gen Z, who are cited as being more ethically driven consumers than older generations. Therefore, if you want to make a lasting impression now and in the future, adopting green practices to promote your positive corporate responsibility for the environment could prove incredibly valuable in bolstering brand loyalty, while increasing sales in the process.

Our commitment

Embarking on the transition to sustainable packaging definitely proposes some compelling benefits for your business and the planet, and at Kendon Packaging, we’re committed to producing environmentally-friendly packaging to help you on your way.

To find out more about how your business can benefit from sustainable solutions for products, give us a call on +44 1992 702470, or contact via email at sales@kendon.co.uk to discover more about our range of eco-friendly packaging.

For manufacturers, importers and distributors, the warehouse provides a key space where you can gain a distinct advantage over competitors. From adopting the latest in warehouse technologies to maximising labour efficiency, today we’ll offer our top 3 ways you can optimise your warehouse for productivity – ensuring a more functional warehouse environment that ultimately leads to maximum profits.

1. Maximising and optimising the space you have

Warehouse expansion can be an expensive process. To minimise expansion costs caused by an increased square footage, consider better utilisation of vertical space.

To achieve this, evaluate your storage and shelving options. Taller storage units are a great option for manufacturers of large produce as they allow for stacking, subsequently taking up a lot less floor space. For manufacturers and distributors of smaller items, consider more concise shelving options as opposed to standard pallet racks, as the latter wastes space and makes it easy to misplace items.

Optimise the layout of your floor space to match product demand and material flow. Minimise the warehouse transportation time of frequent orders by storing popular produce at the front of the warehouse, and remove any needless criss-crossing around the floor by storing items frequently sold together near one another. For external importers, try reducing unloading times by storing imports close to the drop-off space.

Small changes like this add up, saving time and subsequently creating a more efficient warehouse environment.

2. Increase labour efficiency

With your floor space now optimised, consider how to increase the efficiency of your floor staff. As manufacturers continue to embrace technological advances within the industry, it’s common for warehouse staff to be apprehensive of their career stability. However, floor staff remain of fundamental importance to the success of any warehouse environment.

As such, promote staff productivity through a bonus or incentive scheme dependant on monthly targets. Reinforce this through regular training and clear advancement opportunities, remembering that a positive, well-trained workforce benefits both employee and employer alike.

Furthermore, ensure your staff always have the right equipment – and always know how and when to use it – to increase the efficiency of their work and subsequently the performance of the warehouse as a whole.

If you deal with large, heavy and stable loads, ensure your staff have access to metal strapping. Metal strapping is vital to ensuring the stability of large loads that are being shipped long distances or will experience multiple loading and unloading operations.

For less experienced staff, ensure they have access to pallet wrap and understand how to use it. Pallet wrap is a great stability reinforcement for loads that may contract or expand during transportation, or for goods that are being shipped sort distances.

Pallet wrap and metal strapping are vital tools to any warehouse. Ensuring your floor staff have access to them and understand their use will increase efficiency across the floor, in addition to promoting their safety.

3. Ensure safety procedures are followed

On the topic of safety, efficiency and safety go hand in hand. Having a regulated warehouse space means less chance of unexpected problems, thus maximising productivity through everything running smoothly.

You might not think taking small measures like ensuring footpaths remain uncluttered and sufficiently lit will make much of a difference, but every risk reduction potentially saves time in the long run, creating a more productive and efficient warehouse environment.

With your warehouse now optimised for productivity, why not contact us to find out how we can help with all your packaging and equipment needs?

Coca-Cola have started 2018 with a bold promise to tackle the epidemic of plastic waste that is plaguing our oceans and killing marine wildlife. Their proposal is simple: they pledge to collect and recycle all of their packaging and bottles by 2030. We think that this is a groundbreaking move for a giant multinational – paving the way for other brands to play catch up. Below, we list what brands both big and small can learn from this announcement.

Be bold

Coca-Cola’s announcement is certainly bold. A pledge to change their whole manufacturing chain and introduce environmentally-friendly packaging does away with the meek suggestions of incremental progress that have been announced by similar sized brands in the past. A bold, revolutionary statement with a clear end goal can inspire confidence in your consumer that you are taking appropriate action about a serious problem that has had a lot of media coverage in recent months. Goals can be scaled according to the size of the brand, for example, a local corner shop can phase out plastic bags in a matter of weeks – so bold deadline setting is scalable to brands of any size.

Collection is key

The most interesting part of Coca-Cola’s announcement is that they’ve committed to collection, as well as recyclability. This is a bold commitment to implementing infrastructural change rather than merely changing the material and hoping the already recycling-averse world population changes its habits. They have shown corporate responsibility by going this one step further – yet all is not what it seems…

Don’t be embarrassed into action

The key point missing from a lot of the coverage of the Coca-Cola announcement is that last year they were profoundly embarrassed by a Greenpeace report into their practices, that revealed that they produce over one hundred billion non-recyclable plastic bottles a year, that’s 3,400 a second, or roughly 864,000 in the time it takes you to read this blog post. They were, in effect, embarrassed into taking action – something that a multinational PR operation can easily gloss over, but for a smaller brand, this could be seriously damaging. Being proactive and acting early about your environmental impact by adopting eco-friendly packaging materials can avoid situations where this can happen to your brand.

It’s not an afterthought any more

This announcement signals a change in thought for one of the world’s most recognisable brands – that action is needed above all other innovations and changes in the business. Too often, the cause of the world’s environmental issues has been related to large companies looking after the bottom line and caring for little else – but seemingly not anymore. Sacrificing a slice of profit in order to introduce conscientious and sensible measures such as eco-friendly packaging is now becoming more mainstream – so emerging brands should look to eco-friendly measures first, rather than growing too quickly and then hurriedly papering over the cracks later.

Here at Kendon Packaging, we have been an environmentally conscious packaging manufacturer for many decades. Browse our wide range of eco-friendly packaging products today.