Georgia-Pacific Extends Packaging Systems Optimization Program

ATLANTA, Ga.—Georgia-Pacific has announced service extensions to its Packaging Systems Optimization (PSO) Program to non-customers at PACK EXPO 2007 in Las Vegas, Nev., Oct. 15-18. The PSO program is designed to help companies achieve greater profitability and sustainability by identifying packaging supply chain inefficiencies.

Georgia-Pacific has identified more than $180 million in annual savings for customers since 2002. The newly announced service extension will now enable eligibility of non-customers to engage in PSO assessments to gain greater insight into how to optimize packaging supply chains.

“The PSO service extension is a direct response to increased demand from companies interested in learning more about how to achieve greater sustainability, as well as cost savings,” said Brian Reilly, senior director, Innovation Institute at Georgia-Pacific. “We are proud of the program results thus far and look forward to helping the extended packaging community benefit from its successes. In the long term, it’s really about extending our knowledge and showing companies that profitability and sustainability are not mutually exclusive.”

Brian Reilly’s presentation at this year’s PACK EXPO, titled “Achieving Greater Profitability and Sustainability in the Packaging Supply Chain,” provided attendees an overview of how the PSO program identifies distinct opportunities for packaging supply chain cost-savings and how even the smallest changes can generate significant results. Additionally, as Georgia-Pacific has been a part of Wal-Mart’s Packaging Sustainability Value Network (SVN) since its inception, Reilly highlighted how PSO can support packaging scorecard goals.

“Companies should not wait until 2012 to achieve sustainability and profitability goals,” explained Reilly. “PSO can help drive results now to meet both internal and external packaging demands.”

Georgia-Pacific’s Packaging Systems Optimization (PSO) program comprises a rigorous, five-step process, wherein a team of packaging engineers analyze a company’s entire packaging supply chain, focusing on areas including package design, material optimization, shelf impact and SKU consolidation, as well as line productivity, material handling and distribution. After three weeks, the PSO team delivers a detailed report which clearly outlines areas where cost-savings, profitability and sustainability can be mutually achieved.

The PSO program was developed at Georgia-Pacific’s Innovation Institute, a creative, collaborative environment where Georgia-Pacific and customers identify and reduce supply chain costs, increase shelf velocity and measure sustainability factors. The Innovation Institute simulates retail and packaging environments, allowing customers to experience sustainable innovation and novel package design solutions in action. Designed to facilitate break-through thinking and next-generation packaging solutions, the Innovation Institute helps customers realize the full value of their packaging investment.