An Improved Supplier Driven Packaging Design and Development Method for Supply Chain Efficiency

Packaging and the role it plays in supply chain efficiency is overlooked in most design and development research. An opportunity exists to meet the needs of supply chains to increase efficiency. This research presents three propositions on how to reduce the gap between supply chain needs and satisfaction in interaction with the product and packaging system. It also proposes a supply chain focused packaging design and development method to better satisfy supply chain needs placed on packaging. An extensive literature review was conducted and a Tetra Pak derived case study developed. The propositions were formulated and became the basis for improving Tetra Pak’s existing packaging design and development method by better integrating supply chain needs. This was accomplished by using an expanded operational life cycle perspective that includes the entire supply chain. The resulting supply chain focused packaging design and development method enables improved supply chain efficiency while considering the product, the processes and cost.