When you’re shipping sensitive, high-value, business-critical equipment, you need total peace of mind that it’s not going to be damaged during transit.
We’ve been packing complex, high-technology equipment since 1991 and have strong partnerships with multiple prestigious OEMs. So, we understand the intricacies of delicate capital equipment and how to protect it against damage and environmental factors.
That’s why all our made-to-order crates are manufactured to be 100% bespoke to suit your equipment’s specific needs and requirements.
All of our crates and bases are also fully BS1133 compliant, all softwood used has been heat-treated to the ISPM15 standard, and we’re fully compliant with the SEMI packing standards and MPAS, where required.
Keep reading to learn more about our crate manufacture service, and the range of bases, wood types and internal fixings you can choose from.
Download our crate manufacture and export packing brochure to learn more about our service.
Our Range of Made-to-Measure Wooden Crates
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Every crate is constructed from a base, sides, ends and lids.
We start by selecting the type of base needed for the equipment.
Next, we select the type of wood for the sides, ends and lids.
We then look at any internal fixings or bracings needed inside the crate to secure or pad the equipment.
Let’s explore some of the options we provide for each.
Crate Bases
Every crate needs a strong foundation. A crate base plays an essential role in protecting the equipment inside against damage from impact or vibrations.
We manufacture the following types of crate bases:
- Standard base: This base type provides a basic level of support and stability and is best suited for lighter, less delicate equipment.
- Machine base: This reinforced base type is suitable for heavy machinery and equipment.
- Vibration isolation base: This type of base absorbs vibrations, making it suitable for equipment that’s highly sensitive to shock.
See our guide on how to design the right wooden crate for your capital equipment.
Wood Types
The type of wood used for the crate’s sides, ends and lids determines the crate’s overall strength and durability.
Ply-Batten
Ply-batten crates are made from construction-grade 9mm plywood.
Plywood is a great option for heavy and high-value equipment because of its strength-to-weight ratio. Which is why it’s the most common type of wood we use when manufacturing crates for clients.
Full Timber
Full timber crates are much stronger and more durable than plywood, and are made from 150x22mm timber.
Timber is a great option for large and heavy equipment, particularly those that require a robust level of bracing and lining inside (more on our internal fixing options below).
Full timber crates can also be constructed as skeletal crates (which provide structural integrity without completely enclosing the equipment), as opposed to more standard closed crates (where the equipment inside is fully enclosed with solid panels on all sides).
Skeletal crates are much lighter (especially when paired with a standard base) and provide higher levels of ventilation than fully closed crates. However, they offer less protection against the elements during transport and are only suitable for larger items.
Internal fixings
If equipment needs bracing inside the crate—whether that’s using ratchet straps, chains, timber bracing or air-cushioning inflatable pillows—we can supply all the internal fixings you need.
When required, we can also supply saddles for cylindrical items, clip fastening, hinged lids, wheels, viewing doors or internal shelving, and foam inserts.
In the absence of lifting equipment, we’re able to supply integral ramps to support de-crating. Alternatively, if you need to use a forklift to lift the equipment, we can supply landing blocks that provide space between the equipment and the base for the forks to slot into.
Need to re-use your crate?
In the event that you need to re-use the crate over time (for example, for transporting equipment to exhibitions, routine maintenance or calibration), we can supply reusable crates that come with clip fasteners and wheels.
We’ll also supply internal ramps to support de-crating where lifting equipment is not available. We provide this regularly for West Technology, for example, as their crates are often delivered to laboratories with limited handling equipment.
Just let us know if you plan on re-using your crate and we’ll factor that into the design.
MPAS-Certified Crates
We’re an MPAS-approved supplier.
That means we can offer crates manufactured to MIL standards and that comply with all relevant Defence Standards for safe handling, storage and transportation.
Should you require an MPAS-certified crate, please let us know.
Optional Additional Services
We can support you with more than just crate design and manufacture.
If required, we also offer an end-to-end export packing service, which covers everything from packing preparation and equipment wrapping to applying crate labelling and shipping markings and supplying the packing list.
Learn more about our export packing service here.
Where preferable, we also offer the following support services:
- Freighting by air, sea or land (we are a member of the BIFA, FIATA and DfT)
- Customs clearance (including required documentation)
- Export documentation (import and export customs declarations, paying import duty and VAT, producing a certificate of origin and raising an ATA carnet for temporary exports outside of the UK)
- Temperature-controlled storage at our facility
Trusted by Rolls Royce, AB Dynamics, GE, Intel and Many Others
We’ve been helping OEMs and end users pack and ship complex, high-value capital equipment since 1991.
Use the link below to request a callback from one of our team or a free quote for your job.
