A multi-functional team improved warehouse logistics and packaging systems to reduce carbon emissions, waste, and costs. They are continuing to look for ways to improve sustainability at Cytiva.
Improving our warehouse logistics and packaging systems reduces waste, carbon footprint, and costs.
Listening to our teams on the ground is invaluable for streamlining systems and saving resources.
A team of Field Service Engineers (FSEs) in USCAN noticed that when they ordered spare parts for customer equipment, each item was packed and shipped in a separate box, even when they ordered several items at the same time. This practice inundated their workspaces with boxes, making it hard to maneuver and creating a lot of waste. Plus, multiple shipments meant higher freight costs for Cytiva.
The FSEs collaborated with associates working in logistics, warehouses, distribution centers, inventory, IT, and sustainability to identify changes that would consolidate shipments. Simple tweaks — including software reconfiguration, pick-path optimization, inventory reorganization, and compiling multiple orders into one pick slip — led to big improvements.
Less packaging means better sustainability
The improvements are not just financial. They are also steps toward greater sustainability. What was once shipped in around eight packages is now shipped in just one or two packages. Fewer packages result in an annual savings of 10 tons of CO2 emissions, USD 140,000 in transport costs, and USD 2000 in packaging costs. Also, with 50% less packaging waste, the FSE workspaces are much less cluttered!
The team is not done yet. Their next steps include moving to paperless pick slips and adding capabilities to reconcile shipping temperature to enable shipping products with similar requirements together.
Carlos Lemgruber, Distribution Logistics Leader, commented on the opportunities found in collaboration, "There is beauty in coming together as a team to do great things, and tackling this project has been a great example."
About Cytiva
At Cytiva, we believe the key to transforming human health is accessing life-changing therapies. That’s why our 10 000+ associates in more than 40 countries are keenly focused on helping researchers, biopharma companies, and drug manufacturers to advance and accelerate therapeutics for people that need them.
Learn more about sustainability at cytiva.com/sustainability.