Resource Library

Packaging University

Learn about packaging, coolant, cold chain, and everything else you need to ship confidently.
2 min

Beefing Up Efficiency: A Case Study on Streamlining Shipping for a DTC Cattle Rancher

A family beef ranch optimized their shipping process by integrating Keep It Cool (KIC) with ShipStation, allowing precise coolant predictions for varying product weights. This integration reduced their on-time-but-thawed rate from 2.5% to 0.5%, saving them $5,600 in reship costs in one month. KIC's logistics recommendation engine enabled seamless packaging and shipping operations, significantly enhancing efficiency and customer satisfaction.
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2 min

PACKAGING 101: How to Reduce 2-Day Air Upgrades

In the blog post "PACKAGING 101: How to Reduce 2-Day Air Upgrades," we explore a case study of a frozen pie shipper that initially relied on a simple rules-based approach for shipping: using dry ice to manage temperatures over different shipping durations. This approach often led to costly upgrades from 3-day ground to 2-day air shipping, adding approximately $15 per box due to higher shipping fees and dry ice hazard costs. To tackle this issue, the pie shipper implemented Keep It Cool's thermal modeling software, which uses predictive route and weather analysis to provide real-time, optimized coolant recommendations. The software considers factors such as weather conditions, route, time in transit, box size, insulation, and product thermal mass. This data-driven approach helped the company better differentiate between shipments that could safely use 3-day ground shipping and those needing faster air service. The results were significant: the company reduced its 2-day air upgrades by 50%, decreasing from 40% to 20% of shipments, and saved $30,000 per week on 10,000 shipments. This case study underscores the benefits of using advanced analytics in the shipping industry to optimize costs and maintain product quality.
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1 min

Smoothie Sailing Case Study: How Thermal Mass Saved the Day (and the Ice)!

Thermal mass refers to a material's ability to absorb, store, and release heat, crucial for maintaining temperature stability in cold chain shipping. An online smoothie company faced complaints due to inadequate ice in small shipments, leading to faster warming. Implementing Keep It Cool's software, which calculates thermal mass and recommends optimal ice amounts, resulted in 30% fewer complaints and 50% cost savings. This story highlights the importance of thermal mass in optimizing shipping processes and improving customer satisfaction.
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2 min

3 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Shipping Perishables

Mistake #1: Sticking to a Binary Packaging System: Summer & Winter Mistake #2: Relying on Destination Temperatures Mistake #3: Using a One-Size-Fits-All Coolant Strategy (1Day, 2Day, 3Day)
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2 min

Are your chamber tests mis-guiding you?

Atmospheric chamber tests are run under perfect condtions that a shipper would never see in the real world. So why should the results of those tests dictate your packaging strategy?
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3 min

Heat Exposure: A Game-Changing Approach to Ice Calculations

Conventional coolant strategies are backwards. They over ice the coolest lanes and under ice the warmest.
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4 min read

The Pitfalls of Relying on Destination Temperatures

Why shipping based on destination temperatures might be your Achilles' heel. Unearth a more comprehensive strategy that safeguards product quality, streamlines costs, and builds customer trust.
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