OliverHCP SustainabilityReport 2022 F WEB SPREADS - Flipbook - Page 10
| Product Spotlight
Supporting Sustainability
Performance
Case Study
Business Challenge
Our customers are on the front lines of sustainability. As an integral part
of their supply chain, we are strongly committed to contributing to their
sustainability performance by providing packaging solutions that support
their environmental goals. We work to improve efficiencies across
all segments of our business, with the understanding that our own
sustainability efforts have a positive effect on our customers’ goals.
By practicing responsible environmental management throughout
our operations, we help our customers
build a more efficient, resilient, and
sustainable supply chain.
Medtronic is a global leader in the development of groundbreaking
treatment technologies for more than 70 complex health
conditions. From the first battery-operated pacemaker in 1957
to its 2021 robotic soft-tissue surgery system, Medtronic is
committed to bringing transformative solutions to individual lives.
Medtronic recently approached Oliver to partner on a packaging
redesign for its RFA ClosureFast device. The venous cauterization
device was being retooled to implement various enhancements.
While its original packaging sufficed, Medtronic sought to
rearrange the packaged contents for ease of use, to improve ecoefficiency, and achieve margin enhancement.
Our Solution
A card/hoop approach was identified as an effective solution to
better arrange and secure the device. The iterative process led to
a design that exceeded expectations.
By making the card, carton, and case smaller, pallet load size was
more than doubled, saving on materials and sterilization costs.
Human factors testing showed that clinicians strongly endorsed
the design. Nurses were thrilled that the new packaging became
part of the procedure, with the ability to hold and even flush the
device while still in the card/hoop assembly during a procedure.
Results
The label size was reduced, the pouch being made 11% smaller.
The shipping case went from double wall containing 14 units to
single wall holding 17 units, a 33% material reduction. The carton
holding the pouched device utilized recycled (CCNB) material
and eliminated the use of bleached pulp. It was also 45% smaller.
These modifications reduced solid waste by 60% (330,000 lbs.)
for every 500,000 devices sold. Smaller packaging allows more
devices per pallet, resulting in 27 fewer sterilization cycles and
23 fewer truckloads. Trucks could now carry 25,000 devices per
load, up from 11,700. Sterilization quantities increased from
6,000 devices to 13,000 per cycle.
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This project was really a partnership between
Medtronic and Oliver. It highlighted the value of
pursuing new ideas, and together we scored a major
win for optimal packaging performance, sustainability,
and savings—without sacrifice.”
Jim Buccellato
Principal Packaging Engineer
Imagery is for representation only.
Actual device & packaging are proprietary.
11 GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT