Developing custom components and products from concept to prototype to production requires a substantial investment of time and money. At its completion, when it’s time for delivery, that product’s shipping crate design is just as important. In fact, companies that offer the value-added service of custom export crate design are better positioned to ensure the safe transport of high-quality products produced in their plants.
In looking for a manufacturer, finding companies that offer advanced core manufacturing and metal fabrication services, but also provide their clients with value-added services such as customized export crate design and shipping, have much more to offer. At Quest-Tech, we recognize that shipping is part of the process, and we ask and encourage our clients to inquire about any shipping requirements that they may have.
The Importance of Custom Export Crating
Shipping sensitive parts, components, or equipment requires attention to detail to ensure the safe arrival of goods, but it also requires a degree of expertise in moving products across the country and throughout the world. Quest-Tech’s custom export crate design and shipping can meet the challenges presented by delivering goods in a global economy. It provides a number of benefits — logistics, damage prevention, cost reduction, or simply the know-how to get the job done the right way.
Here are several considerations why the value-added service of custom crate design can be an advantage to your company.
Shipping Logistics
The management of shipping logistics requires the preparation, planning, organization, execution, and control of the transportation of the items shipped. If not prepared for such shipping, a full grasp of the logistical requirements of export crating services can be a daunting task. By partnering with our clients on all facets of shipping logistics, Quest-Tech helps streamline what otherwise could be a very overwhelming process.
Custom Crating Prevents Damage
Preventing products from damage while being transported is the top priority. It is the prime benefit of custom crating. A well-designed and well-constructed custom-fitted shipping crate can withstand the rigors of the road, rail, and-or sea. Because of its durability and design flexibility, wood is a recommended material to create custom designs. Wood also absorbs shock and vibration and resists moisture. Sensitive components can be organized in custom-made compartments and secured snuggly with built-in braces and padding to ensure safe transit.
Reduced Transportation Costs
Freight charges are generally calculated by a combination of the weight of goods shipped and the amount of floor space required to ship them. Regarding the latter, if you are shipping a number of sensitive components, custom-built crates can be designed to pack more pieces securely into less space more efficiently. Doing so reduces the number of containers needed to pack the components. Properly designed crates can also be stacked on top of each other, further minimizing the floor space required to transport the goods.
Expertise and Know-How
A custom-designed crate for national or international transit requires a high degree of expertise and experience to package. Knowledge of the products manufactured or fabricated in-house and prepared for shipment is a big advantage, and even more so when the shipping crate design is done by the same company that manufactured the product.
Global shipping of any products must adhere to international protocols, especially those in wood containers or on custom wooden skids. Export crating must meet specific certification requirements when shipped internationally. Crating must be in full compliance with international law as containers are required to follow guidelines established by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). Crates must be ISPM-15 certified (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures, No. 15 regulations). Any products shipped outside the borders of Canada and the U.S. are subject to the requirements as stated in Regulation 15.
As a value-added service, Quest-Tech has available custom export crating options that complement its core manufacturing and fabrication services. Custom-tailored containers, and even custom-made skids for them, can be prepared for worldwide shipping on behalf of our customers. Our IPPC-certified woodshop ensures we are in full compliance with ISPM-15 regulations that will satisfy the custom crating requirements for all domestic and international shipments.
