Crating Services

What Are Crating Services?

Quality crating is as diverse as your products. From an automotive axle to a military component, a crating company not only takes into account your projects goals and requirements but is familiar with the wood materials necessary when crating heavy, bulky or irregularly shaped products.

Do You Offer Custom Crating?

Yes, we do! Our crating services include many applications suited to many industries. Depending on your project requirements we can alter the size, framing, shape, load capacity and more. In addition to custom crates, we also offer kit packs, custom pallets, wood boxes, skids, and more. We’re particularly adept at creating crates and packaging for military applications. We’ll make sure your package is fully compliant with relevant codes and specs. This includes MIL-STD-2073-1D, Mil-Spec, MIL-STD-129P, MIL-STD-1186, ASTM, and more.

Above all we ensure your heavy parts, kitted assembly, or unique equipment are transported and/or stored safely and that throughout the entire process they are protected and remain completely intact.

How do you Pack a Crate for Shipping?

When packing a crate for shipment there is some key information that will help determine the level of packing your parts or equipment requires:

What is the weight of the contents and where is the center of gravity? This will help determine how the parts or equipment need to be secured inside the crate with lumber for blocking and bracing as well as fastening everything down to the base of the crate.

Where is the crate being shipped and what are the methods of transport? If it is crossing the equator in a sea container, bare metal surfaces or equipment will need to be vacuum packed in a film foil bag or VCI poly in order to prevent rust. Damage often occurs during shipping so properly engineering and packing a crate is essential.

Are Crates Reusable?

Crates can be reusable if they are engineered and built to handle multiple trips. Reusable crates require heavy duty materials than a crate intended for one way shipment. A reusable or returnable crates are constructed out of denser plywood and framing to withstand all types of handling. They are also put together with heavy duty fasteners and bolts to keep everything tightly bound together.

Why are crates so expensive?

In order to make sure your parts or equipment arrive at the end destination safely, quality engineering and materials will determine the overall price. You get what you pay for rings true in the packaging world. Cheap crates can come apart during shipping which may lead to a damaged product. We offer peace of mind with our 70+ years creating custom packaging solutions.

What Type of Wood is Used for Crating?

There are many types of wood that are used for making crates. Plywood and OSB sheets are common for the sides and top of a shipping crate. Many of which are then framed with 1×4 or 2×4 boards on the inside or outside for structural support.

The deck of a crate is typically constructed with 2x lumber boards or a sheet of plywood depending on how the contents is fastened down.

We only use Heat Treated lumber and we are certified to make ISPM-15 Heat Treat certified crates, pallets, skids and wood boxes. Any of our wood packaging can be used for international shipment.

Packaging Crates Securely

At Export Corporation, we design and manufacture dunnage to protect fragile equipment and parts from extreme shipping conditions. Custom foam products, kit packs, plastic pieces and carpet can all avoid moisture and shock issues while your products are being transported. These services allow you to send a single piece locally or an order for millions of small components across the globe.

Industrial Crating

Understanding the unique industry requirements which pertain to crating and shipping is essential. When it comes to industrial crating, ensuring your parts and equipment are safely packaged and meet all the required standards, specifications and guidelines is our number one priority. Here are some common industries that our team supplies wood packaging and crating services for:

• Mil Spec Crates: Mil-Spec packaging and crating means we meet ASTM, MIL-STD-1186, MIL-STD-129P, MIL-STD-2073-1D and other specifications. Work with our team to provide solutions for mil spec crates. As a SAM registered, WAWF documented, ITAR registered company, your military equipment is safe and ready for secure shipment with the right packaging and preservation specifications.
• Commercial Crating: Commercial crating helps you relocate your facility, safely ship heavy equipment or make on-time deliveries of fragile technology. Heavy equipment can be difficult and costly to ship, so work with a global leader in air, land and sea transportation preparation to protect your components
• Automotive Crating: As an automotive manufacturer or service provider, you need a reliable way to deliver million-part orders, heavy equipment axles and dozens of rebuilt engines. Custom crating keeps each item secure and reduces the costs and risks of all types of transportation.
• Aerospace Crating: Aerospace technologies need the same uncompromising protection, but often come in irregular sizes. Find out how a custom box or crate, with made-to-order foam and other dunnage, can help you keep your private or military-grade aerospace components safe.

What Are the Requirements for ISPM 15 Crates?

ISPM 15 crates must meet certain standards set forth by the International Plant Protection Convention. These standards are intended to stop insects and disease within wood crating from being shipped to other countries when packages are traveling internationally.

Wood materials must be debarked and heat treated or fumigated to kill any lingering contamination. Once treated, wood will be stamped with a seal that says it meets the ISPM 15 standard.

Crating Companies in Michigan

Reliable crating services require precision engineering and attention to detail. Work with one of the leading crating companies in Michigan with over 70 years of designing wood boxes, crates and pallets for a wide variety of industries.

Crating Services Near Me

Looking for “crating services near me”? With decades of experience and the military-spec certifications you need, Export Corporation is a clear choice for packaging and crating services in your industry. Whether you know all the necessary specifications for military, automotive, aerospace and commercial crating or are sending your first Department of Defense shipment, be sure you work with a Michigan based crating company that understands the necessary components for a safe shipment.