How Warehouse Management Software can benefit copackers and 3PLs

Warehouse management software has transformed the way businesses manage their inventory and operations. This revolution extends to both contract packaging companies and third-party logistics providers (3PLs), enhancing their capabilities in numerous ways. In this article, we’ll explore how warehouse management software, in conjunction with integrated features like Continue reading “How Warehouse Management Software can benefit copackers and 3PLs”

Using Organic Productivity to Improve Copacker Labor Optimization

StellarPack is an MRP solution that helps contract packagers achieve savings with the data and tools at hand. We call this savings, “Organic Productivity”. Achieving productivity gains with existing resources can result in an immediate reaction to the bottom line without capital layout.

Productivity can be found throughout the operation. The newest machines, the latest automations, robotic case packers, or laser guided material handling equipment.  All of these have one thing in common, it takes upfront capital investment. Productivity savings from investments like this have a high barrier to entry as well as increasing lead times due to the current state of the supply chain.

The StellarPack production performance solution helps copackers focus on the key data points to support decision making. Copackers have an edge when they Continue reading “Using Organic Productivity to Improve Copacker Labor Optimization”

Using Found Labor to enhance margins with a Contract Packager Performance System

Traditional MRPs focus on demand planning and managing operational finances, leaving production management as an afterthought. The StellarPack solution goes a step further with a focus on production performance. StellarPack excels in organizing production goals, tracking performance, and communicating key performance indicators (KPIs) with the production team in real time.

The benefits of a modern production management solution include increased throughputs, precise scheduling, more accurate labor forecasts, and a more controlled “hot build” schedule. The result of these benefits is “found labor”. Found labor is the increase in production achievable from the same workforce due to a management action. Continue reading “Using Found Labor to enhance margins with a Contract Packager Performance System”

How a national contract packaging company utilized StellarPack to manage production in a scarce labor environment.

Copacker production management, planning and scheduling

United Facilities (UF), a national third-party logistics provider with a focus on contract packaging, has been using the StellarPack production performance system in their packaging operations. They have several copack locations around the US and wanted a system to help them standardize processes, increase productivity, and invest in automation.
UF chose StellarPack for its ability to control planning and production processes. Multiple locations are difficult to manage especially if they have unique processes. UF recognized this and enlisted StellarPack’s help. Upon implementation UF planners spent 40% less time on data entry processes due to StellarPack’s ability to perform minor tasks. Freeing planners to focus on exceptions encouraged a proactive approach to copack production that helped UF navigate supply chain and labor shortages. Being able to manage hot orders and quickly adjust schedules on the fly was a significant quality of life improvement… Continue reading “How a national contract packaging company utilized StellarPack to manage production in a scarce labor environment.”