Webinar: How Distribution Testing can Streamline the Automotive Supply Chain

Webinar: How Distribution Testing can Streamline the Automotive Supply Chain

Original Run Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2020, 11:00 a.m. EST | download below > 

Efficiency in the automotive supply chain is critical to plant productivity and assembly efficiencies. Damage to parts or packaging can lead to costly delays or shortages as well as safety hazards.
 
A properly designed packaging system can increase efficiency, reduce product loss and other costs, and minimize safety concerns for team members. Laboratory testing can accelerate the process of developing the ideal packaging system that can withstand the rigors of the supply chain and fit seamlessly into the automotive assembly process.
 
In this 45-minute webinar, Smithers expert Tim Rice will deliver an overview on how laboratory testing can streamline the automotive supply chain. Rice will discuss:
  • Test methods and capabilities and how they correlate to real-world shipping conditions
  • Strategies for developing the most valuable test package
  • Common testing standards for automotive shipping, namely ASTM D4169 or ISTA 3E
  • The benefits of investing in laboratory testing over real-world shipping studies
Tim will also go into detail on the recent GM mandate and what it means for tier suppliers. Recently, GM began requiring documentation from suppliers demonstrating that all expendable and standard containers with expendable dunnage have successfully undergone ASTM D4196 or ISTA 3E package testing in order to ship product to GM facilities.

About the Presenter

Tim Rice is a commercial lead engineer the Smithers distribution testing laboratory in Lansing, Michigan. He works with clients from a wide variety of industries to determine how Smithers laboratory capabilities align with and can support their packaging and transit testing needs. He has over 10 years of experience in packaging engineering and business development. His past roles include the evaluation of packaging for medical devices and supporting ISO standard compliance programs. Tim holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Packaging Engineering from Michigan State University.
Smithers-Webinar_Distribution-Testing-for-Automotive_11-11-2020

Latest Resources

See all resources