Why Labeling and Inventory Accuracy Matter in Contents and Packouts

Learn how proper materials, labeling, and inventory systems improve contents and packout efficiency

Welcome back to another month of Technical Tips. This month we’re joined by David Gavilanes of Blue Kangaroo Packoutz and we’re talking about all things contents and packouts. It’s no secret that contents is becoming a bigger part of our day-to-day business, growing rapidly.

This week’s Technical Tip Tuesday focuses on having the right materials and a clear and consistent labeling process. David stresses the importance of it all starting with something that seems so simple but often overlooked. You need a variety of box sizes in your inventory, so you are ready for any situation that arises. Every single loss is different, and your technicians should be thinking ahead of walking into any job.

Common questions you should ask are:

Are there oddly shaped items?
Are there fragile belongings?
Are there specialty items that require packing peanuts or custom packing solutions?

While they may seem simple, they are crucial to your operation. It’s all about proactive planning to help maintain your efficiency.

Once those questions are answered, the next step is labeling, and accuracy is everything. Whether you leverage a barcode or QR code system, you need to have a reliable digital inventory system. This goes beyond organization. It’s about accountability, traceability, and making sure nothing is lost or misplaced during the process.

While having the best and right tools is great, it isn’t enough. One of the biggest challenges that David sees in the field is the lack of commitment to actually implementing and using them. Teams can fall back into bad habits with things like hand-written notes, snapping quick photos, which can feel faster in the moment, but can lead to gaps that cause you to lose contents, create delays, and it can cost you down the road.

The next three episodes will continue to break down the fundamentals and help you and your team strengthen your overall approach from the bottom up.

See you next week!

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Kayla McGowan is the Editor-in-Chief of R&R Magazine, with 10 years of experience in marketing and communications in the restoration and cleaning industry. She leads the editorial strategy for R&R and The Experience Events, creating content that informs and connects industry professionals.

Kayla holds a B.S. in Criminal Science and M.S. in Public Safety and Emergency Management from Grand Canyon University. She serves as Co-Chair on the RIA’s Marketing Committee.

Kayla is a Microbial Warrior®, a Certified Forensic Operator® and a High Risk/ High Level Decontamination Specialist™. Kayla is passionate about elevating the industry, is a food lover, enjoys spending time with her family, and embracing the outdoors.