Blikbuy Purchasing Platform Optimizes Packaging Costs Spreadsheets
Blikbuy, a cross-border procurement agency, leverages spreadsheet tools to enhance packaging cost efficiency and optimize solutions. Facing intense market competition, reducing operational expenses while maintaining service quality has become a priority. The platform systematically tracks packaging-related expenditures through spreadsheets to identify optimization opportunities.
Data-Centric Packaging Management
The platform's spreadsheet system captures key variables:
- "Material Expense Tracking" sheet: Records cardboard box specifications, tape usage per shipment, and cushioning material consumption
- "Labor Cost Analysis" sheet: Calculates time spent packaging different product categories through time-motion studies
- "Packaging Performance Dashboard " Correlates material choices with damage rates during transit
"Our pivot tables revealed 37% of fragile items used non-optimal cushioning materials, leading to both higher costs and damage claims," noted Blikbuy's logistics manager.
Cost-Reduction Breakthroughs Through Analysis
Platform highlights three optimization strategies:
1. Dimensional Polyminazation
Data analysis showed 23% of packages contained >15% empty space. The engineering team devised a box size matrix matching product dimensions, cutting material expenses by $2.8 per package.
2. Supplier Benchmarking
The team created a vendor comparison matrix tracking:
| Material | Supplier A | Supplier B | Annual Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrugated board | $0.38/sqf | $0.29/sqf* | $156,400 |
| Void fill | $12/kg | $9/kg* | $84,200 |
Ongoing Improvements
Blikbuy now integrates spreadsheet data with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems to automate data collection, enabling benefits including:
- Dynamic packaging option recommendations based on real-time material pricing
- 3D spatial algorithm testing for package configuration
- Suppplier performance tracking with automated alerts