Defence Packing

Conway Packing Services are an established M.O.D packing company with more than 22 years direct contractual management experience, during which we have seen a great number of changes influencing the format in which many Military contracts are conducted.

Extensive changes, modifications, and reductions within the M.O.D have impacted on prime packaging contractors, to the extent that they now have greater responsibilities for the day to day management of operations for the running of such enabling arrangement contracts, with more emphasis placed on quality, data input and management functions, which were previously the retained responsibilities of the M.O.D. A wide-ranging commercial operation means that the packaging contractors must be influential in offering effective reductions in packaging by guiding the M.O.D towards alternative solutions to existing problems. CPS have also been instrumental in various initiatives set-up with the M.O.D approval, as quality and reliability are of paramount importance (to both customer and supplier) we have been able to implement ISO 2859, a receipts inspection procedure, which effectively acknowledges the strengths and weaknesses within the supply chain management. Data can be produced to indicate the trends and patterns of individual deliveries for each supplier. As a direct result of this methodology, the M.O.D have been able to be more selective for quality and performance in their procurement role, as the procedure is capable of reflecting any shortfalls and/or damage, which previously had proven to a major concern.

By the use of a comprehensive database it is possible to highlight the advantages of 'economies of scale' buying potential to the M.O.D, who were not initially fully aware, due to various sectors purchasing equipment independently at the high expense involved when ordering low volumes of equipment.

Public and Private Partnerships (PPI's) and Private Finance Initiatives (PFI's) along with Non Project Procurement Office (NPPO) contracts, have also been at the forefront of our business development with our customers' co-operation and, as a result, we now have direct IT links installed for the control and maintenance of such contracts.

Our understanding is that a considerable amount of experience and knowledge can be controlled from running direct enabling arrangement contracts, to the extent that packaging contractors should be able to advise the M.O.D, as well as their commercial customer base of potential pitfalls. An inadequate comprehension of technical standards and information can prove to be an expensive exercise to rectify for all parties involved. DR14 (Package Design Capability Accreditation Scheme) registered designers must have an extensive database and along with the daily consultation and utilisation of the SPIN Database Library, they should be able to offer a rapid response to their customers' demands. This facilitates that all products are packaged correctly and ensures the delivery of goods without damage.

Customers should benefit from the packaging contractor providing the transport fleet and logistical control, allowing a rapid response to their delivery demands of Urgent Operational Requirements (U.O.R), and having less dependency on outside transport resources.

A future initiative for existing suppliers to meet demands, would be to provide consultancy to firms that have a lack of experience or knowledge of procedure for the operation of an M.O.D contract. At present there appears to be a deficiency of information supplied to contractors for them to honour their respective responsibilities. We are appreciative of the financial constraints within the M.O.D infrastructure and aim to take more responsibility for the implementation and efficient running of military contracts, based upon the experience of skilled personnel. Implementing a through life approach to contracts, and taking responsibility for guiding suppliers, enables the M.O.D to realise the full concept of the enabling arrangement contract and appreciate the reliability of service and performance essential to the needs of the 21st Century operational demands.