CASE STUDY: PARTS MANAGEMENT

Analogic Corporation

Analogic Corporation is a recognized worldwide as a leading custom designer and manufacturer of innovative, complex, high-performance, advanced systems and subsystems sold primarily to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Their customers are typically major medical, industrial, and telecommunications companies, many of whom are members of the Fortune Global 500. Analogic has earned an enviable reputation and developed long-standing relationships with many of their customers because of creativity, speed, and cost controls employed in developing custom products for them.

Situation: The need for Robust, yet easy-to-use Packaging that offers Protection against Harsh Environments

While trying to meet the worldwide demands for their sensitive, large scanners and imaging equipment, Analogic needed a packaging material that not only would give them the proper protection, but would also offer them an easy application that wouldn’t tie up their labor and slow down production.

Problem: Costly Returns, Service Calls and Packaging

It’s not easy to ship sophisticated equipment to many handlers around the world that may lack the proper warehousing, infrastructure, and handling equipment. Being an OEM, Analogic sacrifices logistical control of their product once it leaves their facility. For example, much of the shipped equipment is bulky in size and airport customs may break the integrity of the package to see inside, leaving the equipment exposed to severe and potentially damaging atmospheric conditions. This type of mishandling could result in costly freight returns from far off countries. Analogic looked into traditional barrier bags, but found them to be cost prohibitive because they take too long to put in place and vacuum out. Analogic also found that the time required to build the protective barrier created a bottleneck in the packaging area.

Solution: A Barrier Packaging Solution that Would

• Give adequate protection for the toughest worldwide environments
• Continue to work in these harsh environments even if there were punctures, slits and/or slices
• be quick and easy to put in place
• offer long-term, even years, if necessary, protection.

Static Intercept™ “Quick Pack” Shrouds: Robust, Easy to Apply, Cost Effective

Static Intercept "Quick Pack" Shroud system solved all of Analogic’s packaging problems. Without the need of heat-sealing or vacuuming, the Static Intercept 3 mil bottom sheet and 4 mil custom build shroud can be applied in just 7 minutes. With Static Intercept’s sacrificial means of corrosion protection, the material will continue to offer some protection, even if the barrier is punctured or torn. Analogic’s equipment would be safe from atmospheric attacks in shipment, as well as in storage for long periods of time, and under varied environmental conditions.

Results: No, Zero, Returns since Implementation

Since implementing the packaging program, utilizing the Static Intercept shrouds and bottom sheets, Analogic hasn’t had a single return due to corrosion in transit or in storage. In addition:

• Packaging workers are able to keep pace with production.
• The production force is now able to put their efforts into building new items, instead of repairing damaged ones.
• Management can have peace of mind that their equipment is safe when shipping to the harsh environments and storage conditions because Static Intercept provides that kind of assurance.
• Production schedules don’t have to be built to keep the product fresh, because when stored in Static Intercept, the equipment will not degrade due to corrosion.
• By utilizing the Intercept Technology to protect their fine equipment, Analogic maintains its reputation as a leader in the scanning and imaging field with customers that include several worldwide customers.
• Analogic’s prestigious customers can be assured that "just off the line" type quality equipment can be provided each and every time.
• Plus, of course, all this is possible while improving their packaging protection.