Paul Marshall will discuss the I-glide™ wheelchair redesign for Independence Technologies, a division of Johnson & Johnson. This project was assigned to Ethicon Endo-Surgery due to bulk retail packaging expertise within that organization.  This project was accomplished using the DMADVV (Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, Validate/Verify) process.  Paul Marshall was tasked to redesign the current packaging so that it would comply with Fed-Ex and UPS shipping requirements.  In the design process of this project, the VOC (voice of customer) of both the end user (the customer) and manufacturing were key.

The fundamental function of packaging, especially large direct ship packaging is to protect and present the product for the end user.  By incorporating the principles of universal design into the design process, we were able to deliver a package that not only met the shipping requirements established for the project, but we also were able to deliver a package that delighted both the customer and manufacturing.  By understanding the targeted customer needs and the manufacturing process capabilities, the additional enhancements to the design improved the functionality of the packaging for both.  The customer found the packaging easy to open and remove the product inside.  Manufacturing was able to reduce cycle time and avoid ergonomic issues that existed in the current packaging.  The new size and design of the packaging allowed for shipment via Fed-Ex and UPS and also added more flexibility to several product configurations available.  This packaging redesign project was a win-win-win - customer, manufacturing, and J&J.