Reusable Crates: Smart, Sturdy Design Increases Frequency of Use

Packaging Solutions / Case Studies

Situation

One of our aerospace clients had facilities in Mexico and in the U.S. Too often, his crates would return to Mexico severely damaged and nearly impossible to re-use. He needed a solution that would eliminate the waste of having to constantly re-manufacture new crates.

Solution

We knew we needed to identify the true logistics of each crate. We closely investigated the stresses each crate underwent during transport and were able to design a more sturdy crate that would hold up through repeated shipping cycles. Though the cost of re-usable crates is higher than a regular shipping crate, with proper design, a crate can go through several cycles. Additionally, we offer repair for any damaged component, so the value of the crate will ultimately exceed the overall cost.

Outcome

The PSAP solution produced a robust design offering an average of four additional shipping cycles before requiring any repairs. The extended life of the PSAP innovation reduced the required total crate inventory by 80% while increasing available crate inventory by 80%. Though the per unit cost of the PSAP solution may have been higher the client saw an overall reduction in crating related costs of 35% by partnering with PSAP.