Walkers Transport is a leading UK transport and third-party logistics specialist providing bespoke transport solutions to leading manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers and distributors.

• More than a fifth of logistics firms say dominance of online shopping will increase operational costs over the next two years
• More than half admitted changing packaging in the last 12 months has benefitted their business

 As ecommerce continues to dominate the retail arena, new research has revealed that UK logistics firms are facing an unprecedented rise in operational costs over the next two years, which is set to have a knock on effect on their packaging needs.

Amid predictions that 2019 is set to be a challenging time for many UK businesses, leading packaging solutions supplier Antalis has revealed that improving the impact that packaging and packing are having on warehouse operations and transport logistics, whilst adopting eco-friendly solutions will be the key trends in the year ahead.

With a record number of unwanted Christmas gifts expected to be returned in the first week of January, Antalis Packaging is advising retailers to overhaul their returns processes as the simplest way to cut the crippling costs presented by rising numbers of New Year’s returners.

As a champion of innovative packaging design, Antalis is sponsoring the UK Packaging Awards 2018 for the first time ever.

Continuing full-steam ahead with its regional growth plans, Antalis has launched three new packaging branches to serve rising demand in the South of England, in a move aimed at helping local businesses address their packaging dilemmas.

Amid ongoing pressure to diversify their product offering, Antalis is urging dealers not to overlook the benefits to be had by cross-selling packaging to their existing customer base.

Amid the ongoing struggle to recruit enough seasonal staff over the Christmas period, Antalis is reminding businesses that machinery which speeds up the packing process can reduce the need for additional labour during the festive peak in demand.

Already the largest provider of Papers, Visual Communications and Packaging in the South West, Antalis has grown its footprint further with a new, larger site in the Bristol area. The new facility – opened in April and now fully stocked and operational – increases the firm’s footprint to an impressive 70,000 sq. ft. of capacity across its Bristol, Basingstoke and Newton Abbot locations. This move has been possible as a result of its now strong strategic partnership with Gregory Distribution Limited.

Food manufacturers and retailers looking for cost-effective and eco-friendly packaging to transport their chilled or frozen goods will be pleased to hear that Antalis now offers WrapPak^® Protector, a pioneering new thermal packaging solution.