Just in Time Delivery: A Smarter Approach to Packaging Supply
Running out of packaging materials can interrupt daily operations, but keeping too much inventory creates its own challenges. Just in time delivery offers another approach by helping businesses receive supplies closer to when they are actually needed. Instead of filling valuable facility space with months of boxes, tape, cushioning, and other materials, companies can coordinate deliveries around their expected usage.
For businesses with ongoing packaging needs, this approach can create a better balance between having materials available and maintaining a manageable amount of inventory on-site.
What Is It?
Just in time delivery, often called JIT delivery, is an inventory strategy built around timing. Rather than receiving a large quantity of supplies far in advance, a business coordinates smaller or more carefully timed deliveries based on its production, packing, or fulfillment needs.
In packaging operations, that could mean receiving stock boxes, tape, bubble wrap, foam, packing peanuts, or other supplies as they are needed instead of storing large quantities internally. The goal is not to eliminate inventory entirely. It is to maintain access to necessary materials without carrying more on-site inventory than the operation reasonably requires.
Why Inventory Can Take Up Valuable Space
Packaging materials can consume warehouse space quickly, especially when businesses stock multiple box sizes along with cushioning, tape, mailers, labels, and other supplies. Large quantities of corrugated packaging can be especially space-intensive.
With just in time delivery, businesses can reduce excess packaging stored on-site and free up room for products, equipment, packing stations, or other operational needs. This can be especially helpful for companies with limited space or changing requirements.
How JIT Supports Packaging Operations
The effectiveness of just in time delivery depends on planning. Businesses need a good understanding of how quickly they use packaging materials and when those supplies need to be replenished.
A few factors are especially important:
- Usage patterns: Track how quickly frequently used boxes, tape, cushioning, and other materials are consumed.
- Reorder timing: Determine when additional materials should arrive before current supplies run too low.
- Demand changes: Consider seasonal increases, promotions, product launches, or other events that may affect needs.
- Storage capacity: Identify which supplies consume the most space and whether smaller, more frequent deliveries could help.
These details can help a company determine where JIT fits into its broader packaging strategy.
Inventory Control Still Matters
Using just in time delivery does not eliminate the need for inventory management. Businesses still need to know what packaging materials are in stock, how quickly they are being used, and whether changes in order volume could increase demand. Tracking usage closely helps reduce the risk of running short on important supplies.
A balanced approach may include keeping critical, frequently used materials on hand while using scheduled replenishment for other items. This allows businesses to maintain packaging availability while avoiding unnecessary overstock and making better use of warehouse space.
How Lenertz Supports Just in Time Delivery
At Lenertz Industrial Supply Co., we combine just in time delivery options with inventory control, material handling, warehouse picking, local logistics, and third-party logistics support. Our company maintains thousands of in-stock items in its 40,000-square-foot warehouse, including stock boxes, tape, bubble wrap, foam, packing peanuts, and other packaging supplies.
Having these capabilities under one roof can help businesses coordinate packaging availability with their actual operational requirements. Lenertz also provides fulfillment services, including eCommerce fulfillment, order management, kitting, and assembly, for companies that need additional support beyond packaging supply.
Finding the Right Packaging Supply Strategy
Just in time delivery can be a practical option for businesses looking to maintain access to packaging materials while using warehouse space more efficiently. However, it works best when paired with accurate inventory tracking, an understanding of supply usage, and dependable logistics.
By evaluating what materials are used most often, how much space packaging occupies, and how frequently supplies need to be replenished, businesses can build a system that better matches their workflow. Lenertz Industrial offers the inventory, logistics, and packaging capabilities to help businesses create a supply strategy that keeps necessary materials moving without unnecessarily overcrowding their facilities.