10 Ways to Prevent Product Damage During Shipping

    A damaged product is a waste of resources and efforts of the entire production and consumption chain. Firstly, customers aren’t happy to receive a damaged product and would likely have to make extra efforts to return it. You, being a manufacturer and supplier, will bear double the product cost and incur additional operational expenses. Not to mention, your reputation will take a hit for supplying damaged products. 

    The modern consumer is in a time crunch and values convenience more than ever. That being said, receiving a damaged product is anything but convenient. Is your business suffering because of frequently damaged product deliveries? Here are our top tips to minimise product damage during warehousing and transit.

    • Invest in good quality packaging

    This goes without saying that the first step of damage control is investing in good quality packaging. Don’t compromise the safety of your products by using poor packing materials. The lack of proper protection has several repercussions, which can be easily avoided.

    Superior packing doesn’t come cheap but it’s necessary. Direct Packaging Solutions offers an extensive range of packing solutions and services in the UK at highly competitive prices.

    • Proper pallet packing

    The next step is properly packing shipping pallets. Even with good packaging, your products are prone to shaking and slipping during transit. 

    Ensure that your pallets are being securely packed in order to prevent damage during transit.

    • Sufficient insulation

    Certain products, especially food-grade products, require special care. Insufficient insulation makes these products vulnerable to contamination. Make sure that you utilise shipping containers that provide the needed thermal protection and keep such products fresh.

    • Don’t overlook labelling

    So much can be solved with labelling. The workers at your warehouse are familiar with the fragility of your products, but the same can’t be said for the shipping handlers. 

    Therefore, it’s imperative to use proper shipping and handling labels. Just by using labels such as ‘Fragile’ and ‘This side up’ you can significantly lower product damage.

    • Moisture-resistant packaging

    Your products go through a variety of natural elements during transit. Exposure to moisture is one of the most common causes of product damage, especially in the case of long-haul transits. Make certain that you’re using water-resistant packaging and waterproof sealants. 

    • Use stable pallets

    The quality of shipping pallets can’t be overlooked. Depending on the weight of the load, you should find best-suited pallets. From plastic pallets to wooden pallets, choose the right one for your products. An ideal pallet offers a combination of stability, durability, functionality and sustainability. 

    • Correctly loading pallets

    You need to evaluate your pallet loading procedures. Pallets should be stacked in a way that prevents pallets from falling over. Research and implement the most secure pallet stacking techniques. Also, you should avoid stacking them too high.

    • Avoid overloading

    There’s a standard weight that a pallet can bear. Keep this limitation in mind when loading pallets. Overloading pallets will damage them that will in turn cause tip-overs and hamper your products.

    • Get customized packaging

    A standard cardboard box is not suitable for every product. Your uniquely designed product requires customized packaging. You should get in touch with packaging manufacturers to find the right packing solution for your products. 

    • Install accumulation conveyors

    Are your products getting damaged during the packing process in the warehouse? It’s time to employ accumulation conveyors. These are designed to hold items on a conveyor to create a buffer zone between products. They help in supporting picking and packing applications.

    Even though there’s no way to completely eliminate product damage, the right steps can minimize it. Taking ideal measures to prevent product damage is crucial for your business.

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