Many businesses struggle with industrial shipping issues and critical global trade and commerce components. Manufacturers should ensure that every product reaches their destination on time and in good condition. However, dealing with high-value goods, fragile equipment, and oversized machinery can be challenging.
For example, Australia has over 60,365 businesses in road freight transport. Now, imagine the kind of losses the sector can incur if they fail to address shipping challenges. What’s the solution? One of the best ways to address industrial shipping challenges is through onsite packaging. (1)
Here’s a detailed discussion on how onsite packaging can achieve more industrial shipping:
Access to Customized Packaging Solutions
One of the biggest advantages of on-site packaging is the access to customized packaging resources that perfectly suit the item to be shipped. Items of different sizes and nature demand different containers and wrappers, and the best way to determine the right solution is to do it on-site.
You can choose from various materials, such as wooden crates, plastic wrappings, and heat wraps. Plastic wrapping can be used for food and beverages, images, and other delicate items. Timber crates and wooden pallets and bubble wraps can ship fine china and bulky materials such as bed frames and pool tables.
When looking for onsite packaging in cities like Melbourne, ensure the company understands that every shipment is unique. Services such as SafePack on-site packaging provide customized packaging solutions and ensure combination packaging, which comprises inner, intermediate, and outer layers for maximum protection.
Ensures Size and Weight Considerations
Heavy machinery and equipment are challenging to move around, so packaging them on the site is a much better option. The size and weight of such machinery make it difficult to transport to different packaging locations. Doing so would be hazardous. Statistics even show that transportation events are the most common type of fatal occupational injury, accounting for about 36.8% in 2023. (2)
Additionally, some machines require disassembly before transportation. This is a very complex process, and you risk damaging them if you don’t have the right skills and equipment. Fortunately, most onsite packaging services have the right tools and expertise to handle such jobs. They’ll safely dismantle your equipment and reassemble it on the new site.
Meet Compliance and Regulatory Requirements
Every country has regulatory frameworks that guide how certain items and machinery. This can be how they should be packaged and classified by weight. If your equipment falls under this category, onsite packing might be ideal. These companies have an expert team with knowledge of the regulatory requirements and how to void any legal liabilities.
These professionals are also up-to-date with the latest transport standards and will brief you on what needs to be done before the items leave your site. They’ll provide the solution for every individual item, regardless of how unique or delicate it is.
Additionally, labelling is a very important part of shipments. There should be clear indications such as ‘fragile items’ or ‘hazardous materials’. Proper labelling will ensure optimal protection of both the items and those who will be handling them. Onsite packing services have specialized equipment that can be used to mark each container clearly before shipping.
Reduces Cost and Liability Risks
The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) indicated that freight rates as of October 2024 were 115% more than pre-pandemic rates. Such numbers show the cost of shipping products from the manufacturer to the consumer. Now imagine how expensive it would be if you had to ship them to the packaging centers first, then back before they move to the consumer. (3)
Due to this, any cost-cutting measures are always a welcome idea in the industrial shipping sector. Onsite packaging eliminates the need to transport goods to a separate location for packing, saving transportation costs. Moreover, accidents can happen during transit, and these expenses will come back to you to cover repairs and replacements.
Onsite packaging also gives you greater control over how you want the packaging to be done. You’ll be able to communicate the specifics that meet the end-user and regulatory requirements. This will make it easier to ascertain that all documents and processes are completed accurately, reducing liability.
Improved Time Efficiency
Time-saving is a great asset in the shipping industry. When products are shipped on time, customers are satisfied, improving your sales and overall reputation. Onsite packaging helps you achieve exactly that. With this packaging, you can quickly respond to changing shipping demands.
Onsite packaging also facilitates a streamlined process, eliminating the need to travel to a different packaging site if something is not up to standard. Quality checks are done right there on the site, and products can easily be prepared for shipment.
Conclusion
While the industrial shipping sector experiences several challenges with time, cost, and regulatory requirements, among others, on-site packaging can be an excellent solution. This model provides businesses the flexibility and efficiency they need to ensure proper packaging solutions are used and any shipping demand is met right on-site.
References:
- Road Freight Transport in Australia – Market Research Report (2014-2029): https://www.ibisworld.com/australia/industry/road-freight-transport/456/
- NATIONAL CENSUS OF FATAL OCCUPATIONAL INJURIES IN 2023: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cfoi.pdf
- High freight rates strain global supply chains, threaten vulnerable economies: https://unctad.org/news/high-freight-rates-strain-global-supply-chains-threaten-vulnerable-economies#:~:text=Freight%20rates%20have,the%202023%20average.
