Void filling is the general term giving to the challenge of filling the space left in a box after the products have been packed. This means that if there is no void filling material, the product inside can move around and could be damaged. Materials to fill voids to secure contents
* Polystyrene (PS) is a synthetic aromatic hydrocarbon polymer made from the monomer known as styrene.
[5] Polystyrene can be solid or foamed. General-purpose polystyrene is clear, hard, and rather brittle. It is an inexpensive resin per unit weight. It is a rather poor barrier to oxygen and water vapour and has a relatively low melting point.[6] Polystyrene is one of the most widely used plastics, the scale of its production being several million tonnes per year.[7] Polystyrene can be naturally transparent, but can be coloured with colourants. Uses include protective packaging (such as packing peanuts and CD and DVD cases), containers, lids, bottles, trays, tum-blers, disposable cutlery[6] and in the making of models. Polystyrene is generally considered to be non-biodegradable. However, certain organisms are able to degrade it, albeit very slowly.
* Chips made of bio-degradable materials
* Absorbent and fire-resistant material
* Shredded paper, cardboard or wood-Based material
* Paper or cardboard rolls
* Bubble wrap
* Air-filled cushions
* Self expanding foam
Straps are used to group items into unit load. Polypropylene or polyester are the materials most often used.
The wider the strap, the stronger it will be. Using more than one strap and straps for length and width will create a strong place for stock.
Reference:
- Polystyrene (Wikipedia)
- CIPS study guide page 65
LO 1, AC 1.3

For single items, an extra investment in inventory (higher levels of safety stock) will always in-crease customer service levels. Conversely, higher service levels imply larger quantities of safety stocks and an increased investment in inventory. (Procurement and Supply Chain Management - 9th Edition) Reference:
LO 2, AC 2.2

Temporary warehousing (or 'Very short-term warehousing') is offered in the market where organ-isation makes their requirements for space open online to offers or bids for available space. This appears to be an emerging market and service providers in the UK and USA typically quote a price per pallet per week with some also requiring a 'transaction fee' for movements of each pallet in and out.
Consignment stocking is a facility offered by a supplier to a buyer to allow a delivery of stock to the buyer with payment only after it is used or sold to a customer.
Double-deep pallet racking and carousel-style storage are two tools that leverage space within a warehouse:
Double-deep pallet rack

Carousel style storage