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Transporting fragile equipment is a serious business. Musical equipment, technology products, and medical equipment all require special shipping as these are prone to breaking in transit. The nature of shipping is not a delicate one, even the items marked as fragile might not get treated as such.
Shipping insurance is an option, but it doesn’t stop the hassle and the time it takes to replace that item – especially if it’s for a particularly demanding customer. Breakages and damages claims can quickly add up and your business may end up having to pay for the reshipment of a new item. Below are five business tips for transporting fragile equipment.
Wrapping
Fragile items have much more intricate packaging requirements. No matter how small or large the item is, if it is delicate or easily damaged, it will need to be carefully wrapped. Use protective materials such as bubble wrap or product packaging to protect the item. All wrapping needs to be double-checked and securely fastened with tape.
Avoid Movement
Avoiding movement is a strategic way to reduce business risk during shipping. Avoid damages and unnecessary breakages by significantly limiting the movement of shipment boxes. When filling boxes, cases, or crates, ensure that there is no room for anything to move by using packaging beads, Styrofoam boards, or rolled-up cardboard. That will help to soften the impact of vibrations as well, which can be a killer on electronics and the profits of a packaging company.
ATA Cases
An ATA case, also known as a road or flight case, is a type of storage container used to protect fragile equipment and items during transportation. They are made from durable materials, have generous internal padding, and are particularly useful for keeping fragile contents undamaged.
If you sell delicate items, these well-designed cases here are a great option to consider.
Fragile Labeling
Customers tend to stress a lot about buying and shipping fragile equipment. Specially when they encounter the best appliance package deals. So they start printing giant labels with “handle with care” or “fragile” emblazoned across boxes tends to help put their mind at ease. Just make sure that it doesn’t cover the shipping label.
Although not many shipping companies pay attention to these labels, the labeling process is important for keeping track of your sensitive shipments. Add the material in the description of the label so shippers and parcel handlers know what they’re working with.
Foam Casing
For high-value fragile equipment, such as medical equipment, consider encasing the item in foam. Making a foam enclosure creates a molded area for that piece of equipment to fit into. The suppliers tend to use foam casing a lot. This isn’t a scalable solution, but it works best when using ATA cases for shipping. Expanding foam sealant is almost impossible to get off your hands once it’s on – so be careful when using it.
Selling fragile equipment takes a certain amount of finesse and planning, but it doesn’t have to leave you in a cold sweat. Keep these strategies in mind when you pack your home office up before a big move. Take the time to create an inventory of your business’s offerings, starting with the most fragile items, and then build a shipping strategy around each one’s unique requirements. Shipping can be easy, provided you don’t try to cut corners to save a few dollars. Spend the extra money – your company’s reputation is at stake.
