Continuing on Engage’s Cohort 12 CEO stories, we are so pleased to introduce you to James Malley, CEO of Paccurate.

James says, “When you order something small online, like a pen, and it shows up on your doorstep in a box the size of a microwave, that’s what we help brands prevent… And we provide tools for shippers to track the downstream impact of that packing efficiency on shipping costs, packaging spend, and environmental footprint.”

Paccurate originated from James Malley and his co-founder Patrick Powers‘ extensive experience in supply chain tech. They noticed a demand for efficient packing solutions from shippers they worked with. Seeing no adequate solution available, they became absorbed in solving this problem. After engaging larger clients, James and Pat realized the significant impact optimizing packing stages could have across the entire supply chain, leading to Paccurate, and the mission to make parcel shipping more sustainable.

Paccurate optimizes packing for transportation costs. Their API helps workers choose the right boxes for every shipment based on the company’s shipping rates and other fulfillment costs. It then provides clear, easy-to-follow instructions for packing the item. Paccurate saves an average of one square foot of cardboard per carton, reduces item damages, and uses fewer truck trips. They specialize in cartonization, a precise process aimed at identifying the most efficient box sizes for packing and shipping a range of items. It takes into account item dimensions, box dimensions, as well as various item/business rules and constraints, encompassing all essential factors for optimized cartonization within their product. Paccurate has seen companies significantly reduce carbon emissions by minimizing cardboard usage and the number of truck trips which also makes a big impact on their scope 3 emissions.

Paccurate made a significant impact at a major homegoods retailer. By utilizing Paccurate’s API, they implemented packing instructions based on 3D visual aids, enabling their warehouse workers to efficiently pack items into appropriate boxes. Paccurate’s approach extended beyond box size optimization, considering negotiated carrier rates, labor costs, and material expenses. Through their analysis, it was revealed that the implementation led to remarkable savings: 179 acres of cardboard conserved and a reduction of 300 truck trips, resulting in a 7% decrease in transportation costs. This step in the fulfillment process underscored the substantial environmental and financial benefits achievable through optimization. It also challenged the prevailing industry focus on picking automation, demonstrating the significance of packing optimization in the supply chain process.