While online sales platforms have achieved exceptional economic performance due to the health crisis and the closure of many businesses, the same is true for other links in the chain such as transporters but also packaging producers. cardboard which will have to meet a very high demand in the weeks to come as Christmas approaches.
Even if the stores open this Saturday, many French people will order online for the end of the year celebrations.
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“
We have been preparing since this summer,
” Yann Blanc, sales director of DS Smith France, the sector leader in France, told Figaro.
“
It's a bit like a three-stage rocket
” he summarizes, “
first
of
all there is
the annual growth of e-commerce which increases by 10% each year, to which we superimpose the period of purchases for the end-of-year celebrations which extend from mid-November with Black Friday (the date has been set for December 4 this year Editor's note) to the end of December with Christmas, and finally the re-containment with the closing of stores
”explains Yann White.
To meet this logistical challenge, DS Smith relies on a team of 4,000 employees who operate the company's 30 factories, spread across the country.
The company manufactures its cardboard packaging from recycled cardboard.
"
We collect the old packaging ourselves, which we then transform into paper in our factories
" explains the sales director of DS Smith France, "
this recycled paper is then transformed into cardboard to be used again to package our customers
'
products
" adds he.
Demanding specifications
In addition to recycling, cardboard manufacturers also have to take on several missions.
"
There are three issues in my opinion
" explains Yann Blanc.
“
Obviously, our packaging must first and foremost protect the products because the logistics routes are very demanding.
A package is handled approximately 50 times before reaching its destination,
”he reveals.
In recent years, the company has also had to respond to a new problem, "
the challenge of the void
" as Mr. Blanc calls it.
“
When you order a computer mouse and receive a big package with most of the space unused, you get a little nervous,
” he admits.
According to the commercial director of the company 43% of the volume of a package is made up of “
empty
”.
A problem that cardboard producers are well aware of, who are increasingly trying to offer “
tailor-made
”
packaging
.
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Finally, more and more brands want buyers of their products to have a pleasant customer experience, including with the packaging.
"
Customers ask us to design aesthetic packaging that must be easy to return thanks to a simple opening and a space to stick the return coupon
" says Yann
Blanc.
“The package must also be as 'secure' as possible to avoid any manipulation by a third party during delivery,” he adds.
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