It’s corrugated’s world, and alternative shipping formats are just living in it. But now, FedEx and Returnity have launched a reusable shipping offering for B2B customers that they say cracks the code on working in FedEx’s logistics network just as well as, if not better than, traditional single-use fiber-based boxes. “The entire logistics world has been built around corrugated for decades and decades,” said Mike Newman, CEO of reusable packaging manufacturer Returnity. “When everything is built for corrugated, it’s not actually that easy to integrate something other than corrugated.” There are multiple layers to the single-use vs. reusable container cost analysis, according to Newman. First is potential savings on materials like corrugated boxes and tape. There are also labor efficiencies: Newman said pilots showed that unpacking the reusable containers saves about 30 seconds of time compared with single-use containers. “They pop open, they collapse flat, you’re not cutting with box cutters,” he said, also noting that eliminating the box cutter reduces risk for damaging the products inside.  Returnity and FedEx claim a 30% cost savings for some customers that opt for reusables over corrugated. There’s also better cost predictability with reusables, Newman said.

IPG® (Intertape Polymer Group®), a leading manufacturer of packaging products, was named the “Large Enterprise Manufacturer of the Year” by the National Association of Manufacturers’ Manufacturing Leadership Council (MLC). Each year, this council recognizes world-class manufacturing companies for their outstanding efforts as they pursue their journeys to Manufacturing 4.0. The 20th annual award ceremony took place at the conclusion of the MLC’s signature event that focuses on insights and strategies for how manufacturers can further their operational digital transformation held in Florida June 2-5, 2024. Manufacturing Leadership Award finalists and winners were determined by a distinguished panel of judges with significant industry expertise and experience. Manufacturers continually find new and inventive ways to not just bring new technology into their factories, but also how to leverage it for highly effective problem solving and even developing new processes and products that can allow for entry into new markets and new revenue streams,” said Penelope Brown, Senior Content Director and head of the MLC Awards program.

The Group’s consolidated sales rose slightly from EUR 1,142.2 million to EUR 1,150.3 million. Both divisions contributed to this rise. At EUR 102.1 million, operating profit was EUR 8.7 million or 7.9 % below the value for the first half of the previous year (EUR 110.8 million). Thus, the Group's operating margin was at 8.9 %, following 9.7 % in the first six months of 2016. Financial income of EUR 1.3 million (1st half of 2016: EUR 1.6 million) was offset by financial expenses of EUR -2.9 million (1st half of 2016: EUR -3.2 million). Owing to the deconsolidation of the Tunisian packaging companies, a one-off expenditure of EUR 2.3 million was incurred due to the accumulated foreign currency translation, which is reported under “Other financial result – net”. Click Read More below for additional detail.