DS Smith wins German Packaging Award 2016

The packaging system with a clever coupling mechanism and an innovative protective padding for steering wheel switches by Valeo convinced the jury of the German Packaging Award.

Those who export goods overseas in large quantities need safe and cost-optimised transit & transport packaging. The automotive and commercial vehicle supplier Valeo takes no risks when it comes to the shipping of its steering wheel switches. The packaging system made from corrugated cardboard developed by DS Smith offers complete protection of components and their high-quality surfaces. At the same time, the solution guarantees an optimum pallet utilisation with its dimensions and an optimum use of room within the containers, as two corrugated pallets can always be stacked on top of one another.

 The mainstay of the new solution is the interlocking padding made from corrugated cardboard, which allows the shock-proof fixing of a total of eight steering wheel switches. Thanks to a clever coupling mechanism the pads can be quickly connected to one another without additional tools. This allows Valeo to package the components time and cost-efficiently. And the removal by the production employees on the assembly line on site at the end customer is just as quick and simple. As the painted visible surfaces of the steering wheel switches have no contact to the padding during transportation, the solution also reliably prevents scratching and other surface damage.