Wooden packaging is still the best choice for specifiers

Quentin Philip, Managing Director of Crocodile Packaging Limited, looks behind the changing buying habits of specifiers who are opting for more flexible export friendly reusable packaging solutions.

The ramifications of Brexit have prompted many users to reassess their packaging operations and has led to a requirement for increased specification that addresses both reusability and export-ready specification such as reusable plastic alternatives. However, despite advances in the design and manufacture of plastic packaging systems, more traditional wooden packaging continues to be the best choice for many specifiers. Today, suppliers such as Crocodile Packaging Limited, provide robust yet versatile wooden packaging, which offers unbeatable value for money and unrivalled protection.

High quality wooden packaging offers far greater levels of protection than plastic crates and is particularly effective against forklift truck and in-transit damage. Significantly, modular wooden boxes can be customised to suit any type, size, shape and weight of load whilst plastic containers are usually available only in a limited range of standard sizes.  A limited range usually means shoehorning a product into the nearest ‘standard’ size, producing wasted space, the need for further space filling dunnage as well as incurring higher transport costs.  While the single-unit construction of plastic moulded containers simplifies manufacture, this is only the case when produced in high numbers, which may be beyond the requirements of many companies. The Crocodile production system enables relatively small runs to be produced at cost effective prices, whilst still maintaining the cost advantage with larger volumes. Other disadvantages of plastic containers become obvious when part of the container, such as the handle, is damaged and cannot be easily repaired. As a result, the whole unit may be rendered useless. By contrast, if one component of a modular wooden container is damaged, it can be easily removed and repaired or replaced.  Together with the inherent lower cost of raw materials, this fact helps ensure that wooden packaging is always more cost-effective than plastic alternatives. 

A properly engineered system such as Crocodile’s has clipped system maximises the proven robust and cost-effective qualities of wood and combines them with modern design techniques to produce transit cases that are as effective as plastic but without the inherent high cost. Crocodile boxes can be built to exact tolerances in a wide variety of materials whilst the flat-pack construction of Crocodile units makes them easy to assemble and collapse thereby ensuring minimal storage requirements compared with ready-assembled wooden or plastic cases. Reducing manpower needs, Crocodile’s unique clip system means that a single operator can safely construct or collapse a unit quickly and easily. The modular construction of the units also facilitates safe and simple front loading and enables fast access for inspection procedures during cross-border transit. 

Crocodile export crates fully comply with ISPM15 international shipping regulations and can be safely sent to all countries without fear of delay at point of entry due to customs requiring further timber treatment or, in some cases, rejection and return to source at great expense.

Suitable for both one-trip and multi-trip usage, Crocodile re-usable systems minimise packaging waste and taxation whilst a one-trip expendable Crocodile box will add value to the transit process by offering higher protection, more loading options and better stacking ability but at a low unit cost. The high-quality plywood and Oriented Strand Board (OSB) used by Crocodile in the construction of the cases provides impressive stacking strength and exceptional reliability for a huge range of goods including heavy cargo, automotive components, precision engineering, light electronics, telecommunications equipment, agricultural seeds and produce as well as liquids and powders.  Indeed Crocodile’s one-trip bag-in-a-box IBC is gaining a reputation as the most cost-effective method of transporting & storing non-hazardous liquids, powders & granules.

The benefits of Crocodile’s wooden packaging ensure that it continues to outperform plastic alternatives. By harnessing the strength and durability of wood, using a variety of different materials and applying innovative design principles, Crocodile has developed a range of wooden packaging that meets today’s most stringent cost, environmental, transit and storage demands.

For further information please contact:

Henry Corp

Crocodile Packaging Limited

Tel: 01793 821555Fax: 01793 821666