Improving full chain efficiency in elevator deliveries by developing Design for packaging principles for product design process

The aim of this thesis is to define what functions are required from packaging in the supply chain of elevator products. It is possible to fulfill these requirements with package design and product design that supports the packaging solution. In order to have both, consideration of the supply chain must be ensured in the product development process. This can be achieved by increasing the packaging development team’s role in the process and presenting what kind of benefits are possible to achieve with logistical packaging. Concept of logistical packaging and packability were studied in this thesis to benefit logistics and the installation process. Scope of this study is in new elevator business. In a complex product such as an elevator it is challenging to optimize package sizes due to large variety in component sizes and weights. In order to control the package sizes, fixed and semifixed space reservations were set for each delivery module. Design for packaging guidelines were created to guide product designs towards logistical package sizes and packaging solutions that are suitable for the whole supply chain. With controlled package dimensions it was possible to create loading models that are based on modular measurements. Loading models were created for two case company’s elevator products with the aim to increase transportation efficiency and improve the installation order. Study’s results show that logistic efficiency and delivery process harmonization can be improved if package sizes are optimized for transportation. Package size harmonization and increased logistic efficiency are necessary in order to develop more environmentally friendly packaging solutions such as returnable packaging. The product development process and tools of the case company were studied in order to find ways to improve the role of the packaging development team in the process. An implementation plan was created to ensure the implementation of the Design for packaging -concept as a part of the case company’s product development process. The Design for packaging guidelines present implementation steps in addition to product design instructions