Manuacturers: Make The Switch From 35 Lbers To Bulk Packaging

Posted by Hannah Broaddus

If you have a fast-growing manufacturing business and you're still using a manual production line, this discussion is for you.  

We work with a number of large (and still growing!) customers and though they use a lot of oil in bulk, but they still purchase in 35 Lb. Containers.   Why? Because that's how their production line has been set up.  They know there's a better, cheaper way, but making the switch is a process-- and it can be a bit overwhelming.

They're working on making the switch, and you should too.  Here's why:

  • The oil is cheaper.  Buying in bulk sizes like drums or totes can cut $0.02-$0.05 /lb off the oil instantly.
  • With a system in place (pumps, hoses, etc.) the oil is so much easier to get out of the packaging and into your line
  • You will have much less waste-- think of all those 35 Lbers no longer in your trash or recycling!

Making The Switch From 35Lbers To Bulk Packaging In Your Production Plant

So how do you go about making the switch?  It's going to take some concentrated effort to compare the options.  You'll want to get your supplier to weigh in and give you pricing options for each.  You'll also want to have your production team brainstorm about what they would like and what's going to work easily on your production floor.

Start the process by weighing all of your options.  

55 Gallon Drums

This is the simplest switch, but will only save you a little bit of money (about $0.02-0.03 /lb).  The packaging is easy to use though, and just requires a reusable drum pump to get the oil out.  Also, it's simple to set up-- just pop the cover off the bung hole and insert the pump.  You're good to go!

When you're done with them though, you're probably going to dispose of them just like you did the 35 Lb. Containers in your trash. 

Bag-in-Box Cardboard Totes

This is more of a leap than a switch.  If you've never used totes before, it can feel a bit uncomfortable to try something so large and different.  But it's so worth it!  These totes are going to save you $0.02 /lb. over the drums, and if you go with the 330 gallon size, they'll save you up to 33% on shipping on top of that.  

You'll need a few things to get the oil out though.  These totes use a valve (particular for each tote brand) that can attach to anything you like.  There are hoses or tote pumps or many different ways to get the oil out.  You'll just need to choose the one that you'd like for production.

When you're done with these totes, they fold down into almost nothing and you can recycle them.  That frees up extra space in your warehouse for every tote that you use.  

Alternative Supply Programs

If you're using a lot of oil (think 10+ pallets a month), do yourself a favor and thinking about using a special delivery system.  A returnable tote program or flexitank deliveries could be right up your alley.  Those cut out a lot of packaging costs and will help lower you rates even more.  Expect the returnable tote sytem to save an additional $0.05-0.10 /lb, and flexitanks to cut up to $0.10 /lb more than the totes.

If you stick with the 35 Lbers for a while longer...

If you decide to stick with the 35 Lb. Containers for a while, at least try to make using them a little bit easier.  You can get an attachable spigot for them (narrow and wide stream available) so that you can pour out of them more easily.  These can be shipped right along with your normal bulk order, and they're inexpensive and reusable.

Want to compare packaging options?  Download the eBook below or visit the packaging advice section of our blog for more resources.

Topics: Food Manufacturing, Packaging

 

 

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