Blikbuy, a cross-border purchasing agency platform, has adopted spreadsheet-based solutions to optimize packaging operations and reduce overall logistics expenses. By systematically tracking and analyzing packaging-related costs, the platform identifies inefficient processes and implements cost-effective alternatives without compromising service quality.
1. Data Collection Framework
The platform maintains detailed spreadsheets documenting:
- Material Costs: Unit prices of cartons (various sizes), adhesive tapes (per meter), cushioning materials (bubble wrap/air pillows per item)
- Labor Metrics: Average time spent per package (categorized by product type) multiplied by hourly wages
- Design Expenses: Custom packaging development costs amortized across expected shipment volumes
- Dimensional Data: Package weight/volume correlated with shipping carrier rate tiers
2. Analytical Methodology
Blikbuy's spreadsheet models incorporate:
| Analysis Type | Key Metrics | Business Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Break-Even Comparison | Material cost vs. shipping savings | Validated switching to tapered envelopes for flat items (17% cost reduction) |
| Waste Identification | Excess void fill percentage | Reduced polybag usage by standardizing 9 box sizes (down from 18) |
| Historical Benchmarking | Cost/item by product category | Identified 23% higher costs for irregularly shaped goods (implemented new packaging guidelines) |
3. Implementation Results
Quarterly packaging reports revealed:
- 33% decrease in oversized box utilization after creating dimensional weight calculators
- $0.38 average savings per package through right-sized material selection
- 37-hour weekly labor reduction via standardized packing workflows
The platform subsequently automated spreadsheet outputs to simulate cost impacts of proposed packaging changes before implementation.
4. Continuous Improvement
Current refinements include:
▶ Machine learning implementation detecting packaging outliers based on historical spreadsheets
▶ Supplier negotiation using accumulated cost data
▶ Carbon emission calculations alongside financial metrics