Shipping Wars? Craters & Freighters offers a peaceful solution!

Did you happen to catch A&E’s show, “Shipping Wars” last night? Shipping certainly seems to be, “en vogue” on television these days. The show highlights how stressful and difficult shipping over-sized, awkward, heavy, and fragile items can be. Craters & Freighters has helped to ship all of the above for over 20 years now, and continues to make shipping easy and stress free for our customers every day. Call the experts!

"Just Strap it to a Pallet"

Why is it that when we are asked to "Just strap it to a pallet", we try to offer a higher level of packing?  Take a look at the photo below.  This item originated elsewhere but made a pit stop at our facility to get repacked when the "strap it to a pallet" method clearly didn't hold up against the rigors of LTL transportation.

We understand that full wood crating isn't always required but it is our job to get your shipment to its destination safely.  Keep in mind that the packing shown above does not comply with the NMFC packing standards and therefore can void the carrier insurance release values.  The packing below is our recommended alternative and is commonly foam lined for additional protection.

See more photos in our Gallery

Chaos! Fire! Destruction!------Check out our Movie Trailer!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao6RgA0eSOc

Craters & Freighters Featured on Business Day with Terry Bradshaw!

How do you expect Grandma to open the crate?

Should this even be something you need to consider?  While most freight companies stop at the curb and ask to "sign here", Craters & Freighters has the unique ability to offer delivery that includes unpacking and removal of packaging materials. So go ahead and send her that new mobile scooter or six foot tall portrait of the grandchildren.  Just let us know when placing an order and we will make the necessary arrangements. 

Helping customers reduce costs without sacrificing service

Our customers rely on us to handle their most delicate and valuable items.  We understand the importance of our role to deliver our customer's goods in the same condition it was in their facility.

There are numerous factors that help shape the best packaging solution.  For example, the lab test rack shown below is roughly 7' tall.  If this was being shipped within the US, it would have likely been shipped upright, but this was going overseas.  Crating the cabinet upright would have exceeded the maximum height for most cargo flights.  The limited service would have extended the transit time and been extremely expensive.

To avoid these issues, we worked with the manufacturer to see if the cabinet can be laid down.  Since this was discussed before the item was completed, they were able to make some minor design changes to avoid the concerns with shipping it this way.  When it came time that the unit was ready to ship, knowing upfront that were were able to lay it down minimized the time required for us to prepare it for shipping. That, along with the increased access to flights, reduced the overall transit time from our customer to their customer overseas.
 

 

Before & After - Alfa Romeo Car engine

Just because something is crated, doesn't mean it is packed right.  In the example below, we were contracted to re-crate an Alpha Romeo engine going to Europe.  The original crate, packed with spare tires might work to get it around the corner, but maybe not for a trip across the Atlantic.  Secondly, the original crate was not stamped per the ISPM export wood regulations.  No worries here as we are a certified ISPM facility!