It's the beginning of the year, and most likely your company is looking for ways to decrease costs. If you're a manufacturer, one of the areas you should be looking at closely is your product's packaging. Here are Valley Box's 6 tips to help you reduce your shipping crate costs this year.
#1 Calculate All Internal Costs
It's good practice to evaluate your internal shipping crate costs. Make sure to factor in all costs such as labor associated with assembly, packing, and handling. Take the time to investigate the challenges your team experiences with the current wood crating. Remember, time is money. Need some inspiration? Download this case study below that focuses on Saving Packing Time.
#2 Calculate Damage Costs
Having your products arrive damaged to the end user carries a cost all by itself; there's the cost of return freight, replacement parts, and not to mention a dissatisfied customer. If you're experiencing high damage rates, then switching to a more robust package may save you money in the long run!
Take the time to let your crating provider know about both successful and damaged shipments. This will allow them to assess the areas that need improving and the ones that don’t.
To rule out mishandling, install damage indicators. If the damage is the result of negligence by the shipping company, they will be responsible for the damages, not you.
Tip: Always supply pictures of packaged products when filing damage claims. This is proof that your shipment was intact when it changed hands.
| Watch Valley Box's helpful video about: Preparing for damage claims.  |
# 3 Re-Design
Ask your crating provider to rethink your shipping crate design with the purpose of reducing costs. This exercise can result in some pretty innovative packaging.
- Maybe you're over-packing your product for the amount of time it will be in transit.
- Maybe there are new solutions available that weren't available when your original crate was designed... The times are changing.
- Maybe you need a multi-pack solution because you always ship more than one part.
|
See how one company saved with a |
Consider how creating Uniform Sizes |
#4 Reusable Crates
Reusable containers are generally intended to endure long-term use or multiple shipments. This means you can enjoy “re-usability savings” year after year! Sure, purchasing a high-quality reusable shipping crate may cost more upfront, but opting for a low-quality item may inevitably cost you more in the long-term (See #2 Damage Costs). Valley Box offers a variety of sustainable reusable wood crating with refurbishing opportunities that will have a positive impact on your pocketbook and the planet.
|
A reusable shipper |
Reusable boxes can be brought back |
#5 Price vs Service
The price of the wood crate isn't the only factor that should be considered. Think about the importance of quality, dependable delivery, and level of customer service. You can do this by rating your own experience first and using only the most reliable sources (online and off) to evaluate other customer experiences. Download Valley Box's helpful guide 10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Crating Company.
#6 Due Diligence
Always get at least 3 competitive quotes. Quotes are typically quick, easy, and free, so if you’re not satisfied with just 3, keep gathering those quotes until you are! Most wood crating vendors should have a quote button on their website, and you should expect to hear back within 24 hours.
