We recently spoke to Darren Amos, our resident e-commerce expert, about this ever-expanding industry. Darren has recently joined us from Sealed Air Corporation (SEE) and brings with him a wealth of experience within the packaging industry. Here, Darren highlights some of his key responsibilities and explains more about e-commerce.
What is your role at Interlock Adhesives?
“Overall, the role of an e-commerce packaging manager is to drive efficiency, sustainability, and customer satisfaction through effective packaging strategies & the unique needs of online retail.
I have a hands-on approach to the industry, and I believe the following attributes reflect my desire to ensure the UK is leading for quality packaging solutions:
- Collaborating with packaging designers and manufacturers to create solutions that are both protective and visually appealing for products sold online.
- Working in partnership with Henkel we are implementing sustainable packaging practices to minimize environmental impact.
- Balancing the need for effective packaging with cost considerations. This may involve finding ways to reduce packaging costs without sacrificing product protection or presentation.
- Ensuring that packaging enhances the overall customer experience.
- Collaborating with the supply chain, including suppliers, logistics partners, and retailers, to ensure seamless packaging processes from production to delivery.
- Staying informed about packaging regulations and standards to ensure compliance.”
What have been your first impressions of Interlock Adhesives since joining?
“Working at Interlock Adhesives has been incredible. The company fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation, where all employee’s contributions are valued and recognized. From day one, I felt supported by my colleagues and managers, who provided guidance and encouragement as I settled into my role. Collectively we a culture of collaboration and innovation, where all employee’s contributions are valued and recognised, and we genuinely do care about the success of the business and those we support. I don’t take my role granted I have a job to do but it is good knowing we have a network of professionals alongside us cheering us on as we know we have the right product for this business.”
How did you get into the E-commerce packaging industry?
“I entered e-commerce packaging organically because of my career trajectory. Beginning in print, I gained foundational experience before branching out into retail fitment, mailing house operations, logistics, packaging, and all substrates then onto retrofitted glue systems, and quality assurance. Through these roles, I developed a comprehensive understanding of the supply chain and manufacturing processes and built a database of friends and colleagues.
As the e-commerce sector began to grow, I felt its pull and strategically adapted my skill set to align with this emerging trend along with some help from those who have fallen into the friend’s category now. Leveraging my experience in logistics, packaging, and quality assurance, I was fortunate to be able to work on projects with some big brands and this highlighted some identified opportunities in end-of-line packaging solutions tailored for e-commerce fulfilment. Collaborating closely with integrators, 3PLs, and board manufacturers, I strongly desired to specialized in this field.
In essence, my journey into e-commerce packaging was driven by a combination of diverse industry experience and a keen awareness on market dynamics. By following industry trends and proactively adapting to evolving demands, I seamlessly transitioned into this pivotal area of the supply chain.”
How has automation affected the e-commerce fulfilment market?
“Automation has significantly impacted the e-commerce fulfilment market. Increasing efficiency, scalability, improving the order accuracy and enhancing the customer’s experience and relationships with the network after all who does it affect….US! As technology continues to advance, automation will play an increasingly central role in the future of e-commerce fulfilment it is already in FMGC, Retail, Fashion, Brands can you think of an industry it isn’t in?”
What are your favourite advantages of the Henkel E-COM range?
“I take pride in offering products that have been thoroughly tried, tested, and approved by machine manufacturers. This means that when you choose our range, you’re not just getting a product – you’re getting a guarantee of quality and reliability.
I want to highlight the significant investment and dedication that Henkel has put into research and development. With their extensive R&D site, they continuously innovate to ensure that our solutions are at the forefront of the industry. This dedication means that there truly is no better option for your systems and applications.
I understand that in such a competitive market, it’s natural to have doubts. But let me assure you – if anyone questions the effectiveness of our products, I am more than happy to provide evidence to back up my referral. We stand behind our range with confidence, and we’re ready to prove it. we’re not just selling products. We’re sponsoring your business to make better-educated decisions. We understand the importance of prolonging the life of your equipment and ensuring the efficiency of your supply chain.”
Click here to find out more about our E-Commerce adhesives, or contact us today to speak to our team.
