Industrial packaging mistakes are more common than you might think, across many industries.
Getting products to consumers safely and efficiently is a top priority for most businesses. But there may be some hidden mistakes that are costing you time and money.
Wooden crates, pallets, and other packaging materials are used to store, transport, and protect products from damage during transit.
However, there are some common industrial packaging mistakes that companies often make, which can lead to loss of revenue, damage to products, and even safety hazards.
Here are the industrial packaging mistakes you may be making:
Choosing the Wrong Supplier
There are many options for choosing an industrial packaging supplier, which can make it challenging to find the one that best fits your needs.
Working with a supplier who is not a great fit can lead to increased in-transit damage, poor-quality products, and product losses. If industrial packaging is not delivered on time, it will almost certainly affect your supply chain.
Suppliers can influence many parts of your business, so it is vital to do the research and find the best one to fit your needs.
Make sure you clearly understand which products and services you need. If you are unsure of what industrial packaging may work best, find a supplier with an engineer and design team to help you.
Inconsistent Quality Control
Quality control is a crucial component of industrial packaging, especially in the wood industry.
Companies must ensure that their wooden crates and pallets meet specific standards to protect products during shipment. Common problems in quality control include defective materials, improper sizing, and inadequate weight limits, which can damage shipments and may even result in legal issues.
This also points back to working with a dependable supplier that prioritizes quality control, so that your industrial packaging can be relied upon.
Additionally, make sure that you have quality control on your side of the industrial packaging. Employees should be trained to load and unload the industrial packaging safely to prevent these issues.
Improper Storage Conditions
Improper storage conditions, such as moisture, can cause damage and weaken the quality of wooden industrial packaging.
This can lead to increased replacement costs and issues with legal compliance. To maintain packaging quality, wooden pallets and crates must be stored in dry and well-ventilated spaces to prevent power losses during storage, transportation, and usage.
Failure to properly store your industrial packaging can lead to a loss of integrity, which can lead to unexpected costs.
In-transit damage and product loss can lead to many unexpected costs and lower customer satisfaction.
Ignoring Regulations and Standards
Regulations and standards are essential in the packaging industry, and ignoring them can lead to safety and legal compliance issues.
Companies should adhere to relevant standards like ISPM-15, which requires wood packaging materials to be fumigated or kiln-dried to prevent the spread of invasive pests.
Working with a supplier that has knowledge of the regulations that your industry must follow is imperative. Your supplier will be able to make sure that all your industrial packaging needs are being met in the most cost-effective way.
Using Lower-Quality Materials To Cut Costs
Cutting costs by using lower-quality materials can result in final products lacking the necessary protection to ensure safe delivery.
Instead, we recommend looking for ways to reduce costs through innovation and efficiency improvements.
This applies to those who choose to work with recycled pallets instead of new pallets. While it may save you money up front, recycled pallets cannot be trusted the same way new pallets can, as there may be damage that is not seen on the outside, leading to issues later.
New pallets may cost more money to begin with, but they are generally the most reliable wooden industrial packaging choice.
Skipping Sustainability
In today’s green-savvy market, skipping sustainability in your packaging design is a missed opportunity. Using non-recyclable or over-the-top packaging wastes resources and risks turning off eco-conscious customers.
But here’s the good news: when you team up with Conner Industries, we specialize in sustainable solutions and reducing carbon footprint.
We level up your packaging approach with options like responsibly harvested wood, minimalist custom designs, and durable, recyclable materials.
And we don’t stop there. From responsibly managing every fiber and off-cut to achieving aggressive goals like 30% energy use reduction and 30% improved fiber utilization by 2030, we’re serious about sustainability from the ground up.
Why This Matters to Your Business
- Better for the planet. Timber that’s responsibly harvested, long-lasting, and recyclable helps you build a greener supply chain and minimize landfill waste.
- Cost-effective by design. Our lean, protective, custom packaging helps you ship more efficiently, reduce damage, and cut disposal costs.
- Built for trust. With transparent sustainability goals and eco-conscious design in everything we do, your brand stands out—in a good way.
So, if you want packaging that protects your products and your brand’s green reputation, you want Conner.
Wrapping It Up
Avoiding these common industrial packaging mistakes can help companies to safeguard their products, save money, and remain compliant with the relevant regulations.
Companies should strive to work with the best suppliers, improve their quality control, provide appropriate storage conditions, observe relevant regulations and standards, and look for innovation rather than compromise to cut costs.
Ultimately, investing in high-quality industrial packaging can result in higher customer satisfaction and lower liability risks, as well as increased profits in the long run.
How We Can Help
Conner Industries is a leading producer of industrial packaging solutions. We specialize in pallets, crates, skid parts, integrated industrial packaging solutions, and other services customized to what each customer needs.
With our locations nationwide, we can help customers meet their industrial packaging needs and keep supply chains moving.
