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With 3D simulation, Metsä Board’s 360 Services can deliver data-driven material and design recommenda- tions 85% faster than with physical prototyping.
ing manufacturer, the owner of the brand and a team of Metsä Board experts who help achieve the best possi- ble outcome. The problem at hand is approached from all angles with the aid of varied competences. “This isn’t some kind of ‘copy and paste’ work. Each project has its individual characteristics,” says Gunilla Nykopp , Customer Experience Manager at Metsä Board. Typically, several professionals from Metsä Board participate in the first discussion with the customer. Once the customer’s problem and development needs are clear, a team with the right set of skills is formed. External experts from a particular field may also be invited to join the process. “We involve specialists from different fields, which means more knowledge and skills are available to us at the planning table. This enables us to innovate and find a solution faster,” Harju says. According to Nykopp, specialists from the Sustaina- bility Service team typically participate in the process in addition to packaging design professionals. Their knowledge helps minimise the package’s environmen- tal impact and ensure product compliance. The team compares the environmental impact of various mate- rials and provides training on sustainability and prod- uct safety, for example. The R&D Service team can offer material analyses for customers, for example. They have the latest infor-
mation about the possibilities offered by fibre-based packaging solutions. They can also analyse material choices in terms of food safety or protective features, help improve cost-effectiveness, and bring deeply in- novative thinking to the development work. Meanwhile, the Technical Service team provides a deeper understanding of the properties of paperboard and the most suitable materials for the end-use. In ad- dition, the Supply Chain and Digital Service can pro- vide better transparency of supply for the customer and help develop the supply chain to be more reliable and to have a smaller environmental impact accord- ing to the customer’s needs. Collaboration is the key to success Participants from the customer’s side also play an ex- tremely important role. “Collaboration is what makes the concept unique. We cannot find the perfect solution all by ourselves; we need the right people from the customer to par- ticipate. New insights from customers have been the best part of the workshops,” Nykopp says. At their best, the workshops offer innovative possi- bilities for paperboard and a deep understanding of customers. Nearly 130 workshops have been organised so far. The majority of customers have been from the Euro-
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