Portfolio optimisation
opTHIMMized. A portfolio optimisation takes the entire supply chain into account to ensure you are even better positioned for the future. At THIMM we draw on our many years of expertise to clarify the relationship between packaging, products, processes and machines. When all these parameters are as closely aligned as possible, you will save packaging, process and logistics costs.
Corrugated cardboard production has been increasingly continuously for years. The use of sustainable packaging materials such as corrugated cardboard is becoming increasingly visible and important for the environment. Corrugated cardboard as a sustainable raw material and packaging material is being used more and more further reducing the use of plastic.
With THIMM you are committing to the right partner when it comes to sustainable packaging solutions because paper, corrugated cardboard and grass corrugated cardboard are some of today’s most ecological packaging materials and they will become more and more important in the future.
A review of packaging materials is only one aspect of the portfolio optimisation that our THIMM Group consulting team would like to evaluate with you. As part of a portfolio optimisation process we consider the interplay of packaging, products, processes and machinery. Based on this we develop an integrated framework that will enable you to save significant process and logistics costs.
OpTHIMMizing together
Portfolio optimisation – “Range optimisation reduces packaging diversity”
Packaging diversity and complexity occurs when customer and supplier structures grow over the years along with one’s own packaging ranges. With increasing diversity packaging costs also rise, processes become more laborious and take more time to execute and volume capacity utilisation also suffers.
Take advantage today of the opportunity to optimise your portfolio together with our consulting team. In the portfolio optimisation process we look at your “packaging chaos” and we analyse your existing data and specifications.
Let us take this opportunity to discuss the most important paper compositions and consider different grammages in combination with asymmetric types. Our portfolio optimisation experts will always consider sustainable packaging materials, the latest flute types such as T-flute as well as well-known flute types such as F-flute.
When is the best time for a range optimisation:
- …when a high degree of packaging diversity prevails due to historic product ranges
- …when suppliers and packaging standards (specifications) are not attuned to each other
- …when the underlying customer structure has increased the packaging and print image diversity
Our objective: To select comprehensive approaches, save costs and increase customer benefits
- Together we will reduce your packaging diversity
- Material optimisation in a double pack: Improved material efficiency and reduction of material costs
- Implementation of standardised packaging specifications for simpler processes
- Simplification of downstream processes such as production, processing and logistics through detailed analyses
The best solution for our customers
A successful customer example with one of the biggest producers of hygiene products shows how, thanks to a portfolio optimisation, a range switch can achieve six-digit cost savings. How was this achieved? For example by switching from B-flute to T-flute. T-Flute with its flute height of 1.7 mm is a sustainable flute type between B-flute and E-flute. Therefore, by optimising your portfolio you can save up to 25 percent in storage and transportation costs. There are also other benefits in comparison to B-flute. Read more about this on our product page.
Portfolio optimisation – “The right printing technology”
Let's define the best printing technology for your requirements together. By reviewing the entirety of your production processes we can optimise the print processes.
For a customised needs analysis we evaluate current print procedures, the underlying processes and colour range use.
Our consultancy team know the common printing processes used in the packaging and display sector and will find the right printing process for your packaging. As part of the portfolio optimisation our experts will look at production volumes, print images and colour use as well as the high quality levels and benefits for your target group.
Find out about the new opportunities offered by digital printing technologies in the creation of print images and benefit from significantly shorter delivery times and print cost savings.
Reduce the number of print colours and thereby improve your eco-balance.
We will simplify the printing process through a comprehensive review of production processes.
When a portfolio optimisation in the printing area makes sense:
- …when printing costs make up a considerable proportion of production costs.
- …when the printing process has become a laborious and expensive time factor
- …when the print result does not comply with your data and requirements.
- …when many different print images lead to increased complexity.
Our objective: To select comprehensive approaches, save costs and increase customer benefits
- The compilation of a needs-based print image for manufacturers and consumers
- A review of printing costs, printing processes and printing procedures
- To define the optimum print procedures for packaging and displays
- Analysis and evaluation of the product portfolio of your customers (B2B)
The best solution for our customers
The digital printing options for packaging and displays are varied. Convince of the benefits of digital printing: Whether a handicraft book for Seitenbunt, shipping packaging for food products from HelloFresh, transportation packaging for electric devices from Venta or the floor-standing display for hygiene products from Hahnemühle, these are only some of the examples which we have implemented successfully together with our customers.
Convince yourself of the portfolio optimisation and digital printing. Our experts are there for you!
Portfolio optimisation – “Process cost optimisation for better efficiency”
Process cost optimisation enables the entire process chain to be so attuned and connected that a smooth process flow is ensured. Together with you we not only work on an optimisation but are also focussed on a sustainable improvement of the process chain.
As part of the portfolio optimisation the increase in productivity, the improvement in quality and the optimisation of throughput times are just some of the possibilities for reducing process costs. Increasing digitalisation and automation are having a greater and greater impact on processes, particularly in production, and therefore must be observed and reviewed in the analysis.
When you should start a portfolio optimisation on process costs:
- …when processes slow down and process times such as setup and handling increase
- …when complexity in the value chain has increased
- …when quality problems occur every day
- …when more personnel resources are required, but when there is also a rise in illness rates
Our objective: To select comprehensive approaches, save costs and increase customer benefits
- The review and switch from analogue processes into automated and digital concepts in consultation with your customers.
- Increase in productivity and improvement in quality
- Optimisation of processes and cost reductions
- Harmonisation of packaging and process diversity for a significant process cost saving
- Better efficiency throughout the supply chain
Portfolio optimisation – “Smooth logistics processes”
The objective of a portfolio optimisation in logistics is to ensure smooth processes and thereby avoid unnecessary delays. Retaining flexibility in important peak times also forms part of a portfolio optimisation.
Our consultant team has made it their mission not only to find and develop comprehensive solution concepts for internal and external logistics but also to maintain them over the long-term. This also includes a review of upstream and downstream areas such as procurement, production and quality management.
Uniform packaging standards aligned to pallet dimensions can reduce your handling costs and optimise capacity of load units and shelf and pallet surfaces. There should be a consideration of logistics processes as early as the product development phase because module-aligned packaging enables lower storage and transportation costs.
When a portfolio optimisation in logistics makes sense:
- …when there is a wide variety of packaging sizes and few standard solutions are implemented
- …when product packaging and outer packaging are not attuned to each other leading to a high degree of “air shipment” or lower volume capacity utilisation
- …when a low surface utilisation on pallets, HGVs and containers causes unnecessary costs
- …when increasing transportation damage causes a high complaints ratio
Our objective: To select comprehensive approaches, save costs and increase customer benefits
- Modular packaging range for improved lean management
- To reduce warehousing and storage sites through better pallet capacity utilisation
- To increase volume capacity utilisation and space utilisation level to the optimum
- Reduction of transportation damage and decrease in the complaints ratio
The best solution for our customers
The volume utilisation level is one of the core elements of portfolio optimisation. By considering the optimum volume capacity utilisation of the pallet not only increases transportation security but also simultaneously reduces costs. We have successfully implemented this portfolio implementation with customers from a wide range of sectors.
A joint portfolio optimisation for more sustainability
Sustainability and ecology are issues which are becoming increasingly important in our society. Sustainability has now become a purchasing criterion for consumers as part of their consumer behaviour. This has been proven in surveys carried out by IfH Köln in 2016 and 2019. Here 90 percent of those surveyed stated that they not only wanted less plastic packaging but also that retailers should offer more products in alternative packaging materials (Statistics 2016 and 2019).
For manufacturers and consumers different sustainability aspects play a role in packaging and in secondary placements. In a portfolio optimisation we highlight both sides so we can offer the best solution for both the manufacturer and the customer.
- Range optimisation: The saving of valuable resources and protection of the environment
- The right printing process: Increasing profitability and uncovering new potential
- Process costs optimisation: Increasing profitability and cost savings
- The optimum logistics: Save CO2 – for the benefit of the environment
Our “four pillars” of portfolio optimisation provide you and your customers with many benefits further along the process chain. For instance, range optimisations can lead to more pre-cuts and packaging on one pallet which leads in turn to a lower pallet volume and to fewer transportation journeys.
With every portfolio optimisation we bring all the potential optimisation opportunities to light. An improvement in packaging materials, the expansion of technologies, the switch from analogue to digital processes and the optimisation of every single use of resources are only some of the measures we examine together. You decide which measures are implemented based on our analyses and evaluations. We provide comprehensive support and implement it efficiently.
Sustainable packaging solutions offer the opportunity of reducing our environmental impacts to a minimum. Because thanks to a wide range of sustainable packaging materials and a portfolio optimisation exercise, the impact on resources and the environment can be lower which in turn reduces costs.
Our common objective:
- We will work together to reduce the use of resources and to decrease costs with the same degree of flexibility and production security.
- Save resources, raw materials and transportation routes – for less CO2 and for the benefit of the environment!
- We disclose the figures and show you with the CO2 calculator how you can reduce your CO2 footprint.
