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The packaging system
The packaging system
The story
Glass-wrap is a packaging system invented in Germany by Thomas Giller.‘My company uses flat glass in high-end products and up to 25% of potential customer orders can not be serviced due to excessive transport cost. In some cases transport cost even exceeded the value of the actual product itself’, says Giller.
Thomas Giller took up the challenge of solving this problem and developed a packaging system for flat glass that allows it to be transported as general cargo by any transport company, simple, efficient and without damages.
In cooperation with the Feurer Group GmbH, specialists in packaging, R&D and production from Germany, the packaging system was then further developed into a series product.
The result: a standardized modular packaging system to protect the flat glass and a number of tools to simplify transport, handling, warehousing and site storage.
Glass-wrap, the newly developed packaging system for flat glass, fundamentally changes a more then 100 year old, complex and expensive form of logistics in this industry. Glass-wrap saves costs for just about every player in the flat glass supply chain.
© 2015, Glass-wrap GmbH. All rights reserved. The content in this brochure is for informational purposes only. No rights or obligations of any kind can be obtained from the information provided.
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The brand
Hardly any material is so diversely intertwined with our modern life as glass. It shows its versatility every day, for example in architecture, transport, furniture, heat protection, display panels and, as a secure way of packaging. Glass also holds a tremen-dous future potential.
The Glass-wrap brand stands as a symbol for flat glass packaging that saves more than it costs.
More over, Glass-wrap is designed to • protect flat glass• simplify logistics• enhance safety. Due to the international presence of Glass-wrap and the close contact it maintains with its partner specialists of varying cultu-res and historical background from around the world, a perfect mix is created through which both R&D and (applied) market knowhow are signalled in an early stadium and the combined innovative efforts made available to all customers very quickly.
This results in the best flat glass packaging there is. A packaging that already received a German innovation award.
At Glass-wrap, costs and environment go hand in hand. The development of the Glass-wrap packaging system not only forms a major contribution to your overall cost reduction and logistical benefits, but also to improving our environment. At all times must the Glass-wrap products meet these criteria as well as the highest quality standards.
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The packaging system
Protects flat glass and simplifies logistics
Glass-wrap is the packaging system that protects flat glass from damage and simplifies transport, handling, warehousing and site storage. In doing so it substantially reduces both direct and indirect costs that occur during these processes.
Ingeniously simple: construction and design
The standardized modular packaging system made of EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) for multiple use and EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) for single use, is both ingenious and simple at the same time. What’s more, whilst driving down cost, both plastics are 100% recyclable and eco-friendly at the same time.
Its design creates extremely high static and dynamic pressure resistance and ensures that all edges and corners of the glass sheet(s) are well protected under all circumstances.
The outer edge and corner profiles are made from elastic yet very strong closed cell foam with an integrated strengthening profile. This is combined with an inner retaining profile around the edges of the glass further increasing impact resistance.
Simply ingenious: this is how it works
1. Using the Glass-wrap calculator, select and prepare the required components.2. Assemble the horizontal bottom and top profiles including the corner sections, as well as the 2 vertical profiles of the Glass-wrap packaging.3. Place the bottom profile horizontally on the floor or an assembly table with the open end of the corner section facing up and insert the 2 vertical profiles.4. Slide the glass sheet(s) into the packaging inserting it into the inner profile.5. Finish the packaging by placing the top profile over the upper open-end and close the unit with a tension strap.6. Optionally a cover can be attached. Done! Tip: the surface cover is ideally suited to display your company logo or advertising statement.
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Components and toolsGlass-wrap is a perfect fit for virtually all sizes, thickness, shapes and number of sheets. Available as single or multiple usepackaging.
Straight segments
Inner profile
> 90º corner and < 90º
Profile for up to 3 glass sheets.
Outer profile
Segments can be threaded to requiredprofile length. Even small leftover segments can be used. The inner core is standard of wood or for special solutions aluminium.
Tools
Tools for secure and simplified transport, handling, warehousing and site storage.
Carrying grip
Transport roller
Two examples of joined packaging units.
Straight segment
Profile for most standard glass thickness.
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Surface cover
To guarantee safe transport an optional surface cover can be fitted. The surface cover is ideally suited to display your company or advertising message.
Forklift feet
Stands
Strapping belt tensioning
Small material container
Logistical benefits
Transport
The transport of flat glass is a main concern. The packaging and transport costs are almost always disproportionately high. In various researched cases, companies were found to pay more for it then the actual cost of the product itself. In addition, when viewed globally, glass damage during transport varies from 0.5 up to 40%.
Glass-wrap solves this problem. The efficient packaging system ensures that damages are minimized and the costs substantially reduced.
1. Any general cargo carrier can transport flat glass with Glass-wrap Full loads, just a few or even single glass sheets, can now be transported as general cargo in a fast, flexible and cost efficient manner and over much larger distances, even by transport and parcel services such as DHL, FedEx, UPS or TNT.
2. Glass-wrap maximizes loading space used Glass-wrap packaging can be stowed horizontally and vertically, as well as stacked on top of one another in multiples. By exchanging the metal or wooden racks or crates for the resilient, lightweight, Glass-wrap packaging, use of the loading space can be maximized resulting in more volume per transport.
3. Glass-wrap reduces additional costs The cost for return transport, keeping track of racks and write-off for unaccounted racks -costing tens of millions of dollars per year- can be greatly reduced.
4. Glass-wrap minimizes damage and breakage The considerable reduction in damages and breakage that can be achieved is further proof of a safer mode of transport. This also results in less or no more replacement deliveries and thereby minimizes costly delays for the customer.
5. Glass-wrap shortens loading times With the Glass-wrap packaging system loading times will be significantly reduced and non-productive waiting time can be avoided.
6. Anyone can use Glass-wrap Because now also non-specialized personnel can handle flat glass when packaged with Glass-wrap, whilst at the same time their safety is greatly enhanced.
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Handling
The overall cost reduction will be even higher with the specially developed Glass-wrap tools that guarantee a simpler, more effective handling of flat glass in the different types of transport, warehouses, processing shops and on site. It reduces the need for costly investments in specialized glass handling equipment as well as the need for specialized personnel.
Glass-wrap reduces the percentage of breakage during ware-housing. As a result, the need for minimum replacement stock, if required, is also automatically reduced. It will safeguard the flat glass even when bumping into walls, falling over or being dropped. It also ensures no delays on for example building sites because of broken or damaged glass, holding up the work, which may in turn lead to claims. And, it reduces the risk of injuries amongst employees as well as all direct and indirectly related costs.
Glass-wrap ensures safer handling for employees making less specialized personnel possible. In doing so, it simplifies the recruit-ment of new personnel and the costs for education and training.
When forwarding to their customers, not having to package or organize special transport or equipment is a great advantage to glaziers and glass contractors. And, if they need to package themselves, the standardized modular Glass-wrap packaging system makes it child’s play.
Warehousing and site storage
Glass-wrap allows glass sheets to be stacked horizontally and vertically, as multiples on top of one another, making it even possible to consider High-Bay or pallet racking warehousing, thereby reducing expensive square meters required or allowing for more inventory against the same cost.
Also at the building site where minimal room is often available, Glass-wrap makes storage and handling easier and safer. Furthermore, it greatly enhances safety for employees and requires less specialized personnel.
Glass-wrap is also well suited for warehousing and site storage because it absorbs little or no moisture and is not influenced to any great extent by temperature, chemicals or oil. If required Glass-wrap can also be supplied in a fire-resistant version.
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Specifications
Single or multiple use
In more and more regions of the world, reusability of packaging is encouraged and/or its disposal regulated. At Glass-wrap, costs and environment go hand in hand. That is why we encourage use of the Glass-wrap’s multiple use packaging system, whilst at the same time offering a highly effective, cost saving single use version for regions where this may not be applicable yet.
Manufactured in its multiple use EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) version, the Glass-wrap packaging system as a whole or in part can be reused many times. If not visibly damaged, this multiple use version will do its job 10 times at the minimum, in practice most likely many times more.
If multiple use is not feasible due to the lack of a closed loop logistical system, or for other reasons, the Glass-wrap single use EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) packaging system is by far the best
option.Used only once as single use packaging, it has essentially the same protective and logistical advantages as the multiple use EPP system including excellent shock absorption and dynamic and static pressure resistance.
At all times must the Glass-wrap packaging meet the highest quality standards. With both the EPP and EPS versions, this quality is guaranteed.
The material
The advantages of EPP and EPS Both EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) and EPS (Expanded Poly-styrene) are used as manufacturing material for the Glass-wrap packaging system because of their special properties. They are highly versatile closed-cell foams that provide a unique range of characteristics, including outstanding energy absorption, impact resistance, thermal insulation, buoyancy, water and chemical resistance, exceptionally high strength to weight ratio and 100% recyclability.
EPP is found most often in applications where high impact resistance and shock absorption are required multiple times. Examples are car bumpers, seat-headrests, crash pads, etc. EPS boasts similar characteristics but permanent deformation may occur when impacted, making it generally more suitable for single use only.
Environment friendly
Not only does Glass-wrap contribute substantially to your overall cost reduction and simplified logistics, but also to a better environment. Both the single and the multiple use Glass-wrap packaging system are extremely environment friendly. The packaging does not contain CFCs and/or other harmful chemicals nor are they used in its production. Both EPP and EPS are 100% recyclable.
In addition, Glass-wrap contributes significantly to the reduction of CO2 emissions. The packaging is lightweight and both vertically and horizontally stackable. This allows for maximization of your loading grade, which in turn substantially reduces the number of transports.
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Tests and certifications
All tests designed and performed by Glass-wrap serve to ensure that damage to your product is prevented and that logistical processes are simplified.
For example, extensive drop tests have been performed, simulating real situations such as loading and off loading from trucks or the handling of product in warehouses or on a building site. These tests were performed using glass sheets of various types, such as simple float glass or tempered security glass, size and weight.
Testing during transport indicates that the Glass-wrap packaging system is highly resistant to vibration, shock, static and dynamic pressure and extreme climatic conditions.
In addition to tests conducted by Glass-wrap, tests and certificates may vary by country. This depends on the wishes and requirements of our licensees as well as local rules and regulations.
Quality assurance and control
At all times should the Glass-wrap packaging system meet the highest quality standards. For this, Glass-wrap maintains well-defined quality criteria and procedures to be adhered to by all licensees around the world. This in turn ensures customer satisfaction wherever and whenever Glass-wrap is used.
Patent
The innovative Glass-wrap packaging system, the rights to and intellectual ownership of which reside at Glass-wrap Holding, is registered at the German Patent Office, the World Intellectual Property Organization and protected by extensive international patents.
Glass-wrap and PC&D
Packaging Concepts & Design (PC&D), located in Troy, Michigan, is the leader in design and delivery of highly engineered packaging products and solutions.
Founded in 1914, PC&D has supplied packaging solutions to many industries including automotive, heavy truck, construction, retail, food & beverage, industrial equipment and agricultural equipment.
PC&D’s expertise involves designing, developing and supplying customized packaging for a single product or an entire program to customers around the world.
PC&D packaging professionals will assess every situation for the most cost effective part or product protection solution. Our focus is to optimize the customer’s process. Whether it is expendable, returnable, or a combination of packaging types, we provide our customers with the best solution.
With the Glass-wrap packaging-system, PC&D is able to offer solutions to greatly simplify logistical processes and improve the safety of personnel, while at the same time bringing substantial cost savings. Glass-wrap packaging protects flatglass right along all stages of the supply chain, not only for the flat glass industry but also for any other edge-sensitive product or cargo.
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Your partner for Glass-wrap products and packaging:
Packaging Concepts & Design1307-I Allen RdTroyMI 48083United States
T: +1 248 585 3200E: [email protected] : www.pcdpackaging.com
For general information about Glass-wrap:
Peter Schmidt General manager USA, Canada and Mexico
T: +1 248 981 9608
E: [email protected] : www.glass-wrap.com
