Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/854494
4 ista views • July 2017 • www.ista.org Inside ISTA Headquarters ISTA's Advocate Research and Value Delivery Program Updates The ISTA Advocate Research & Value Delivery Program has been active conducting research and adding new members. With the recent addition of Pratt Industries as a Leader member the Program's 22 Advocates have pledged $1,750,000 in support of the Program's goal: "To conduct research and data collection that improves testing and design methodologies to keep pace with the rapidly evolving global supply chain and enhance the knowledge of existing channels resulting in the further minimization of product damage while lowering waste, cost and the environmental footprint of packaging." On the Research front projects have been completed and reports have been distributed to Council members of the transport modes, storage, and handling methods involved in the distribution of CPGs, including "last segments", in China and India. We are in the field with our eCommerce project whose goal is to Map packaged-product handling within e-retailer's distribution systems to determine similarities and where hazards exist. We have received and are evaluating proposals for the Ideation phase of our Eliminate Over-Packaging project and are in final RFP development for our Unit Load Stability project. For additional details see the list below. Number RFP-0001 RFP-0002 RFP-0003 RFP-0004 RFP-0005 Project Name & Description Eliminate Over-Packaging - develop and validate a new technique that quantifies how far beyond a chosen performance and confidence level a package is able to protect the product it contains. Research of Transit Damage Figures - to assess damage levels experienced during distribution for various commodities shipped via various modes and quantifying their monetary impact in an effort to prioritize ISTA's work. Measurement and Multi-Axis Simulation of Unit Load Stability Transportation Hazards - to collect data on the motions and forces to which unit loads are subjected during transport yielding tools that can assist with package and unit load design. Develop Test Protocol to predict package performance in e-Commerce Retailer and Consolidator Shipping Systems - Identify common handling processes for all eCommerce channels and transportation modes to develop a recommended method for replicating this unique supply chain channel. Phase 1 - Mapping packaged-product handling within eCommerce retailer distribution systems to determine similarities and where hazards exist prior to Phase 2 - Data Collection. Distribution Environment Data Collection – Phase 1 - documentation of the transport modes, storage, and handling methods involved in the distribution of CPGs, including "last segments", in predetermined regions. Status Revised RFP was distributed to potential researchers for proposals for Phase 1 "Ideation & Scoping of Concepts". The date for proposal receipt was June 1st and the Council is now evaluating the submissions. We have Limited initial scope to LTL mode in order to take a manage- able step. The process has been progressing slowly as we need a broad enough base to assure the information is able to be de-identified and reflective of actual experience. A task team has been formed to accomplish this and/or make recommendations back to the Council. RFP is being modified to assure the proper scope and deliverables are identified. Task team has met and consensus reached on approach. A conference call and vote will be held in the coming weeks. Release will be after project #0001 has been awarded. Chainalytics was awarded this project, has made contact with most of the top 25 e-retailers and are working on executing NDA's with those who have requested. The final reports for Phase 1, Observational Studies of hazards, for both RIT for China and Cal Poly for India have been delivered and distributed to all Advocate Council members. The priority of Phase 2, Data Collection, will be determined this summer. > MORE ON PAGE 16