5 Things We Learned at the 2013 ISTA Transpack Forum

John Clarke and Kent Longardner represented Nelson Company at the ISTA Transpack Forum in Orlando, Florida for three days at the end of March.

Forum attendees gained valuable new information about transport packaging and the distribution of products from recognized industry leaders from around the world - including our very own John Clarke.

Nelson Company's John Clarke speaking on Pallets and Material Handling Equipment

Kent reflects on 5 Things he learned at the 2013 ISTA TransPack Forum.

In addition to case studies and presentations, John and Kent exchanged ideas and discussed critical issues and solutions with industry peers. The opportunity to gather for knowledge sharing is just one way John and Kent continually expand their skill set as industrial packaging professionals.

As you'll see, it wasn't all work and no play for John and Kent. The event was held at Walt Disney World after all...

1. Unit Loads are a Major Focus within the Transport Packaging Industry
   A large percentage of ISTA presenters discussed unit load handling. Many speakers mentioned distribution environment problems with specific palletized products shipped as a unit load. All concerns could be corrected with properly designed unit loads addressing the packaging, pallet and material handling equipment.
   
   With more companies understanding the importance of unit load design, more effective test procedures are being developed to create quantitative results. As test procedures like EN 12642 or ISO 1053 progress, we will be able to better quantify how well the pallet, packaging and material handling equipment work together to contain the products safely within the distribution environment.
   
   
2. Companies Expect Packaging to be More Innovative without Increasing Costs
   Cost savings has always been an important factor for packaging engineers when analyzing product packaging. Recently, there has been a slight shift to prompt innovation instead of only focusing on cost savings. This puts pressure on packaging designers as well as suppliers. However, this new process of not emphasizing cost savings alone will allow suppliers with new products, new designs or innovation to compete with current packaging.
   
   
3. United States Marine Corp has Unique Packaging Issues
   Kevin Smith from the Marine Corp discussed his experience managing logistics for the US military. The military products are subjected to common hazards including shock, vibration and climatic. Yet, one hazard most packaging engineers do not design for is sand storms. The range of military products shipped is very wide from food and medical supplies to bullets and helicopter blades. The military is also focused on sustainability, especially repurposing. For example, certain containers are designed to ship supplies, but are reused as office walls at a base.
   
   
4. Fun Facts about Walt Disney World, ISTA Forum Venue
   The ISTA Forum was held at the Walt Disney World Yacht and Beach Club Resort in Orlando, Florida. Since this was the backdrop for the packaging forum, we learned some fun facts about Walt Disney World.
   
   Walt Disney World resort is about the size of San Francisco.
   
   Only about 35 percent of its more than 27,000 acres has been developed.
   
   1,850 tons of garbage are recycled annually.
   
   Magic Kingdom alone averages about 47,000 visitors a day.
   
   Stormalong Bay's sand-bottom swimming pools in the water recreation area at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts hold 750,000 gallons of crystal clear water - a world record.
   
   An estimated 1.65 million pairs of eyeglasses have made their way to Disney World's lost-and-found bins since 1971.
   
   Every year the park finds an average of 6,000 cellphones, 3,500 digital cameras and 18,000 hats.
   
   
5. Nelson Company Well Represented at Volleyball Tournament 
   The Nelson Company was represented by John and Kent at the 2013 ISTA volleyball tournament. After a grueling tournament their team was victorious in finals winning the championship game. It was all for fun with a great group of participants which helped make the conference enjoyable, memorable and a great annual event.

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Did you attend the 2013 ISTA TransPack Forum in Orlando?
Tell us what your learned by commenting below. 

Post by: Kent Longardner, Technical Sales Manager