The Cummins Business World leading automotive company Cummins design, manufacture, distribute and service engines and related technologies across the globe. Their expertise covers fuel systems, emission solutions and electrical power generation systems. Engines from their Rocky Mount site in North Carolina are imported to the Darlington site, all of which are delivered on a wooden pallet, wooden dividing unit and wooden top frame for protection and security. It was because of these packaging items that RPS was introduced to Cummins at Darlington to help develop a packaging solution.
How can RPS help? The bespoke packaging used to transport the engines from Rocky Mount was at the time being crushed and placed in a skip. RPS was invited in to discuss potential cost savings and above all environmental benefits by reducing the amount of wood waste generated that was placed in the skip. From an environmental point of view, the waste framework directive encourages reduce, reuse and recycling, so it was important for Cummins to try and reduce the amount of wood waste being scrapped through either reusing the packaging or recycling it.
What RPS has done Working with Neville Scott of Cummins, RPS discussed the situation with the wooden packaging and realised that the packaging items could be cost effectively returned to the US site at Rocky Mount for reuse. The bespoke pallets and components are made especially for the transportation of the Cummins engine blocks and therefore are ideal for reuse. RPS worked hard to keep costs down, placing a standing trailer on the Cummins Darlington site to allow the packaging items to be loaded at their own convenience. By working closely with their logistical partners RPS has also kept costs down on the container transport back to America.
Once a full load of the packaging items has been accumulated RPS collect the standing trailer, return it to their site for inspection and if needed repair and return the wooden pallets, dividers and tops back to full working condition.
First Load Back to the USA In November, the first load of Cummins packaging was returned to the Rocky Mount site and with a great reception. The packaging items were successfully returned by carefully loading the container and with RPS managing the entire transit process of the packaging items. Overall, with the first load returned, RPS has been able to offer Cummins a cost saving of 20% in comparison to the cost of new packaging. Not only has RPS put in place the option to reduce the packaging cost but the reuse of these packaging items, in a company that already considers the environment in very high regard, demonstrates the importance of Cummins to keep their business at the forefront of environmental awareness.
RPS load the Cummins wooden packaging components for return to the USA
