I have always been interested in Density and Value because these attributes are fundamental in many of the lives we live. We need to consider them more.
Let me explain, please excuse the maths but it makes the point.
Density is calculated as Mass divided by Volume, so water has a Density of 1 – 1,000g of water has a volume of 1,000 cubic cm (10 x 10 x 10cm) at 4 degrees Centigrade.
Gold has a density of 19.3 at room temperature (1kg gold has a volume of just 51.9 cubic cm. (3.7 x 3.7 x 3.7cm). It is clear which material is easier to fit in your bag!
This is where we started with our recent project on space utilisation. To pack sausages in plastic gives a density of 0.46g/cubic cm, we then looked at the volume of the sausage and looked at design and available substrates to improve the density. Our current benchmark is above 0.60g/cubic cm or a nearly 30% improvement in the Density. As a plus, our design uses materials that are also certified as both home and Industrial compostable.
What does this mean? On a 22 pallet trailer our design saves over 5 pallets. These means less pallet miles from production to hub, and from hub to customer, it means less handling and it means less temperature-controlled storage. Finally, it gives better space utilisation on shelf, or back up storage.
We are not turning sausages into gold, but obviously we are providing a solution that cuts cost and reduces impact on the environment.
It does not stop there. In same way we consider optimising the density of pack, so the packaging must be functional, it must protect the product, it must consider the constraints at point of sale or use.
We have a saying at Westaways if something is routine it must be done excellently. If we can add more value every year, then we will have proved it is not just a simple sausage.