Understanding Item Groupings in Deliveries

Why Are Groupings Used?

Groupings serve several important purposes in the manufacturing workflow.

1. Optimization

When multiple customers' parts flow through the same manufacturing partners in sequence, groupings allow Fractory to consolidate shipments. Instead of arranging separate pickups for each customer's parts, all parts can be shipped together in one delivery with clear internal organization.

Example: A laser cutter ships parts for five different end customers to a powder coater in a single delivery, organized into five groups—one per customer.

2. Error Prevention

Groupings provide clear separation that helps you and downstream partners avoid mixing up items that:

• Belong to different end customers

• Require different processing steps

3. Workflow Clarity

When you receive items from another manufacturing partner, groupings immediately show you:

• Which items need processing by you (PROCESSING groups)

• Which items should pass through untouched (FORWARD groups)

• How to organize items for the next step in the supply chain

When Are Groupings Used?

1. Multi-Customer Consolidation

When multiple end customers' parts are being processed by the same sequence of manufacturing partners, groupings keep each customer's items separate throughout the supply chain.

2. Mixed Processing Requirements

When a single delivery contains some items that need your processing and other items that you should simply forward to the next partner, groupings clearly separate these two workflows.

3. Complex Supply Chains

When parts flow through multiple manufacturing partners (e.g., laser cutting → assembly welding → powder coating), groupings maintain clear organization at each handoff point.

1. Check Your Documents

Your Purchase Order shows all groupings in the delivery schedule section.

Each Delivery Order breaks down which groupings are in that specific delivery.

You receive a separate Packing List for each grouping.

2. Identify Processing vs. Forwarding

PROCESSING groups (-Gxx, -Pxx): Manufacture these items according to specifications.

FORWARD groups (-FWxx): Keep these items separate; do not perform any operations on them.

3. Keep Groups Separate During Manufacturing

From the start of production, organize your workspace to keep grouped items separate. This prevents accidental mixing and makes packing much easier.

4. Pack Groups Separately

Use the Packing List for each grouping to pack items correctly:

• Keep different groupings in different handling units - do not mix items from different groups

• Each grouping may go into one or multiple handling units (boxes/pallets)

• Mark which items from each group go into which handling unit

5. Request Shipping with Group Information

When requesting shipping through the platform:

• Enter handling unit details (dimensions, weight)

• Distribute items according to your filled-out Packing Lists

• The platform generates documents that maintain group organization

6. Attach Correct Documentation

Each handling unit gets:

• Delivery Slip showing which items it contains

• Handling Unit Sticker with group reference codes

• Delivery List attached to the overall shipment showing all groups and their distribution

Understanding Group Codes

Code Structure

Full Reference Example: #555555-J1-D3-G1A

Breaking it down:

• #555555-J1 = Your Purchase Order reference

• D3 = Delivery number 3

• G1A = Grouping code within that delivery

Prefix meanings:

• -Gxx: Processing group (general)

• -Pxx: Processing group (alternative notation)

• -FWxx: Forwarding group (no processing required)