SubscribeLoadhog, the Sheffield company revolutionising the returnable packaging industry, is helping to reduce waste and cut costs at the NHS Logistics Authority.
NHS Logistics provides a dedicated supply chain service to the English NHS delivering consumable healthcare products, ranging from medical and surgical supplies to stationery, cleaning materials and catering provisions.
A ten-week trial of Loadhog lids at one of NHS Logistics' six distribution centres has produced such environmental, cost and efficiency savings that its more widespread use is now being investigated.
NHS Logistics operates out of six Distribution Centres with a fleet of over 200 vehicles that make, on average, 1,200 deliveries a day, serving over 10,000 delivery points.
Supplies are sent to customers in plastic tote boxes. Once returned the boxes are loaded onto pallets, shrink wrapped, and removed for cleaning. Once washed they are again loaded and shrink wrapped and moved to the main distribution centre ready for re-use.
The Loadhog trial at the NHS Logistics' Alfreton Distribution Centre in Derbyshire has had a significant impact as Chris Holmes, Operations Development and Support Manager, explained: "We wash around 2,000 totes a day which equates to about 60 pallet loads going in and out of our washing facility.
"The shrink wrap needs to be collected and recycled or disposed of, which is a time consuming and costly process."
The fully recyclable Loadhog lid is specially designed to secure a level load to any standard wooden or plastic pallet without the use of environmentally unfriendly plastic film or strapping.
The time taken to secure a load is reduced by up to 80 per cent, and the system is both safer and easier to use than conventional wrap and strap systems. Its retractable straps allow a single operator to secure a load in seconds without bending or risking strapping cuts.
Chris added: "During the trial we saved around 1,600 metre of shrink wrap a day which is significant for an organisation which takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously.
"By using Loadhog we have also almost halved the time taken to load the totes onto pallets which are now much more secure".
The unique engineered design provides unrivalled load stability and security during both stacking and transportation greatly reducing losses incurred through spillage and damage.
And, because the Loadhog lid can be safely double or triple stacked the number of journeys needed to transport goods is significantly reduced, cutting costs and slashing harmful carbon emissions.
NHS Logistics is now in the process of reviewing activities within its other distribution centres with a view to rolling out the multi award-winning Loadhog system.
Hugh Facey, executive chairman of Loadhog said: "The UK logistics industry is throwing away £400m annually on disposable plastic film and strapping, over half on securing loads to pallets. Companies can no longer afford to ignore the problem of tackling packaging waste.
"We have worked very closely with the NHS Logistics Authority, who take their environmental responsibilities very seriously, and look forward to extending the trial of Loadhog lids at their distribution centres across the country.
"This is a perfect example of how re-usable and returnable plastic packaging delivers substantial cost savings, much greater supply chain efficiency and produces significant environmental benefits."