A lot of products have more levels of packaging, but with non-food it is complex to take one piece out of the packaging. That is possible with food. You have packaging for distribution: bulk packaging, pallets… And you have packaging for the consumer: per kilo, per plastic packaging or even per piece. It is important to integrate the packaging and levels of packaging in your PIM or MDM system. Why? Just read the blog.
PIM and the food sector: packaging
LOGISTICS
The levels of packaging add extra complexity to the sale and delivery of food. Different suppliers can deliver the same product, but use different packaging methods. For example; a carrot can be supplied to Colruyt from various local farmers. But one supplier may offer it in cardboard boxes and another in plastic bags. It is important to have these differences integrated into your data system, so that you can adjust your logistics capacity accordingly.
It used to be true that data and information about the packaging was only needed in the ERP system for your warehouse management. With the rise of e-commerce and packages shipped directly to the customer, it has become important to have this information available throughout the chain. Can the transport vans transport the packages? Should there be additional costs for the customer if it is a larger or heavier package? Since data about packaging and packaging levels is integrated within your PIM or MDM system, you can easily manage this.
LEGISLATION
It’s true that the focus in the past was mainly on the logistics application of PIM and packaging in the food industry. But nowadays there is also another reason to integrate packaging in your PIM system: the legislation has changed. Tax must be paid on all packaging, from plastic to cardboard and wood. You are responsible for declaring the quantities yourself, with heavy fines for violations. When your packaging material and levels are integrated within your PIM or MDM system, it is much easier to make a correct assessment of this. With the move towards sustainability, this will be further sharpened in the future. A PIM integration offers a sustainable solution for the current challenges and those of the future.
Marketing
It is also important for marketing to know the packaging levels of the various products. Some products can only be sold in certain packaging. For example, if you want to hand out ice creams, some ice creams cannot be sold separately, but must be sold per box. When this is included in your PIM system, you can easily take this into account. In addition, there may also be a difference per product per packaging level as to which marketing information and images are used. This is also integrated within your PIM or MDM system and can therefore easily be managed centrally.
YellowGround is the MDM and PIM expert of the Benelux. We mentioned before that MDM or PIM is the missing ingredient in the food sector and what the importance of PIM is for the food sector. So don’t miss this series about PIM and the food sector.