Outsourcing warehousing and distribution is something that companies of different sizes and in different markets should take advantage of. Why? It provides companies with the opportunity to increase profits, expand and have longevity. It’s a good strategic move for companies who want to save time and money and capitalize on scalability, with room to focus on the core of their business. Take a look at these specific benefits that outsourcing warehouse and distribution services can provide businesses.

Ideal Location for Company Network

Accessibility is important when it comes to the location of your business and planning for product pickup and distribution. You want your warehousing and distribution center near major highways, ports, and railroads in order to reduce cost and the amount of time for delivery, and third-party providers are often located in these strategic locations. A third-party provider can also reduce your logistics expenses and significantly improve lead time in delivering products to customers by handling shipping regulations that constantly changes and tracking lost shipments. Rather than having to manage your own shipment center, outsourcing warehousing and distribution allows you to focus on other aspects of your business.

Flexibility That Supports Expansion

Outsourcing warehousing and distribution to a third-party provider grant you the flexibility in the supply chain, the transportation network, and warehouse operations. As business demands shift, which is common, you have the flexibility to scale your distribution model up or down and adjust to meet fulfillment needs. If inventory needs to be reduced or increased, your third-party provider will do that and, in the process, limit carrying costs. You don’t have to worry about driver shortage or fuel costs. Outsourcing allows for the continual streamlining of warehouse operational processes to accommodate shifts in business demands.

Experience and Expertise

Third-party providers tend to have years of solid experience and expertise in warehousing and distribution. The supply chain management expertise, culture, and services of the chosen provider should be in line with your specific business needs. The goal should be to see improvements in performance indicators, from on-time delivery to inventory accuracy. A reputable fulfillment service provider understands the intricacies of the supply chain and can be useful to you and your business, enhancing your level of service and improving turn-around time.

Considerable Cost Savings

By outsourcing your warehousing and distribution services to a third-party provider, you are saving time and money in a number of key areas. You will see costs associated with labor and transportation, in particular, decrease. The quality of labor and shipping are optimized, removing waste and improving productivity, creating a balance to cost and service level.

If you want to grow your business by redirecting warehousing and distribution to a third party, let Extreme Packing Solutions be your first choice. Extreme Packing Solutions can add value to your business, providing a centralized location for your inventory and optimized shipping and delivery. Superior service is what we offer so that you can see your business expand. Contact us today!

Moving can be one of life’s most stressful events. There are, fortunately, certain things you can do to make the process less difficult for your household. Hiring professional movers is one choice that families almost always find to be entirely worth the cost. Knowing that someone else is going to be dealing with loading and unloading your seemingly countless boxes can provide you with invaluable peace of mind. Here, you’ll find a list of 10 steps you should take before your movers arrive at your house on moving day.

Get rid of things you don’t use

Moving is the perfect time to get rid of items your family simply doesn’t use anymore. Whether it is old toys, broken small appliances, or outdated clothing, donating unnecessary belongings to charity prior to your move is an excellent idea.

Throw away things that can’t be moved

There are certain items that moving companies won’t allow their employees to handle. These include hazardous items, such as explosives of any kind and many chemical products, and perishable goods, like fresh fruit and vegetables. If any of these items are absolutely necessary, take them with you instead of leaving them for your movers.

Make a list of your belongings

Taking an inventory of all of the items you’re moving is one of the smartest steps you can take. This way, you’ll know right away if any boxes didn’t make the trip. If this happens, contact your moving company right away to find out if there is any way to double-check the truck that was used for your relocation.

Have a “do not pack” room

Depending on how far you are moving from your current residence, you might be driving or flying to your new house. In either case, there are certain things you’ll want to keep with you during your trip. Place these items in a “do not pack” room and put a sign on the door so your movers know not to load anything in that space into their truck.

Create “must-have” boxes

Every member of your family undoubtedly has certain items they cannot be without. These may be something as seemingly simple as toiletries or as life-saving as essential medications. It is wise to place these items in “must-have” boxes that can come with you on your journey to your new home.

Talk to your family about safety

It is always important to discuss safety with your family before you have service professionals in your home. If you have pets, for instance, make sure someone is put in charge of keeping them calm (or even out of the house completely) during the moving process. It is also important to keep clear of the moving crew while they do their jobs.

Get appliances ready to go

If you are planning to take any of your appliances with you, make sure they are ready to go before your movers arrive. Give each of these items a deep clean and unplug them a day or two ahead of time.

Pack small items yourself

Even if your movers are going to be packing most of your family’s belongings, you should pack small items, such as refrigerator magnets, chip clips, and other similar things, on your own. Not only will this help you know where to find them later, but it will save a lot of time on moving day.

Take pictures of everything

While reputable professional movers do everything they can to keep their clients’ possessions safe, it is possible for things to be damaged as they are transported. Taking pictures ahead of time will allow you to easily file any necessary insurance claims on items, such as artwork, that you have coverage for.

Make your movers feel comfortable

It’s important to be hospitable to your movers because they will be in your home for hours (or even days, depending on how many boxes you have!) Give them access to a bathroom, for instance, and make sure they have bottled water and small snacks available to them.

The Extreme Packing Solutions crew has handled all sorts of moves. Whether you are moving down the street or across the country, one of our service packages is sure to be perfect for your needs. To learn more about what we do, contact us today. We look forward to helping you have a stress-free relocation.

Making a location change for your company is quite an endeavor to approach. One of the most important factors you’ll have to consider when preparing for a corporate move is making sure your timing is right. To ensure that your corporate move goes as smoothly as possible, check out these tips for timing the move.

Delegate

A company move is a big undertaking and is far too much work for just one person. If you find yourself in the position of making the move, don’t be afraid to delegate work to others. One way to do this is to create a team specifically meant to take the lead on how the move goes along. The team should be comprised of management as well as lower-level employees. With a diverse team, details of every aspect of the move should be covered.

A committee or team for the move means that issues will be identified and dealt with quickly and smoothly. As long as upper management takes heed of the team’s decisions and supports them, the work will get done without many problems. This will guarantee that you can approach the rest of the move in a timely manner.

Move Off-Season

Summer is known as peak-season for pretty much everything – vacations, weddings, work changes, and more, and peak season means higher prices for pretty much everything, including products and services. Moving to a new house is also an activity usually done in the summertime, especially if there are children in the family, so this means that moving costs will also be on the rise during these months.

To avoid the higher prices and unavailability of services, consider making your corporate move during the off-seasons of autumn and winter. This will ensure that you have your choice of available movers that can handle your company’s needs as well as lower prices.

Choose the Right Day

Choosing the right season to move is one thing, but chances are you weren’t aware that even the day of the week can make a big difference for your move.

If your company has a lot of individual employees, plan ahead to allow them time to pack up their own personal items and work materials during the workweek. Avoid after-hours or weekend work for the majority of your employees as much as possible. Then, when it comes time for moving everything to the new location, you’ll need fewer employees to assist, which means less overtime pay your company will have to shell out and more happy employees.

Go Professional

While most aspects of your corporate move will depend entirely on your company’s needs, it’s never a bad idea to get some professional assistance.  Extreme Packing Solutions is ready to help you schedule and perform your next corporate move. Contact us now to get started!

Moving into a new home is a very demanding task. On top of everything you do in your daily life, you now need to find time to pack up all your belongings. If you want an easy stress-free move, staying organized is essential. Here are some tips for getting and staying organized during and after your move.

Create a moving binder

Creating a moving binder is a great strategy for staying organized during your move. Within your binder you can keep everything you have to do for your move in one place. Your binder is a good place to keep all your moving contracts and receipts, moving checklists, utility companies phone numbers, floor plans, design ideas, contractor bids, moving company paperwork and more. Whenever you need to refer to any of these things, you’ll know exactly where to find them.

Walk through each room

To get started, do a walkthrough of each room in your home. Create a list of supplies you’ll need to pack the room and note if you may need anything professionally packaged. Some items that may need to be professionally packaged include antiques, electronic equipment, collectibles, couches, etc. Hiring a company to professionally pack items guarantees the items stay safe during your move.

Label boxes and note what’s inside

Label each box with a number. Next, use a notebook or your phone to write an itemized list for each corresponding numbered box. You can also color-code your labels for each room in your house so that you and the movers know exactly where to put each box. Labeling your boxes with these numbers and colors will help your move go faster and help you locate where all your belongings are without stress.

Tie cords and place them categorized bags

As you know, all the electronics that you have in your home probably come with a few different cords. These cords can get tangled and mixed up in each other during a move. When you’re packing up your electronics, use twist-ties to tie your cords neatly together. Then, place the cords for each specific electronic in its own bag and label which item those cords go to.

Use your luggage

Save space by filling your suitcases, duffle bags, laundry baskets, etc. with clothes, towels, and any other items that fit. No point in moving an empty suitcase, fill it up to eliminate having to use extra boxes!

Don’t rush to unpack

Rushing to unpack can lead to a messy new home and not knowing where everything is. Take your time in unpacking each box. It may take a little longer but will save you time in the long run because your items will already be organized, and you’ll know where everything is!

Moving can be expensive, and moving across the country is no different. There are ways to help make this move less stressful and cost less for you. When you think about everything you’ve accumulated over the years, your stuff can really add up! In order to make your move go a little easier, here are essential tips to follow.

How to Have a Stress Free Move

Pick a Move Out Date

Picking a move out date can help save you money if you move during the nonpeak season the cost could be significantly less. The most popular times to move are on weekends, over a holiday, summer, and end of the month. If you have flexibility on your move date try to avoid those peak times.

Get Rid Of Unwanted Items

Don’t move unnecessary items or trash, you will be paying for this in the long run. The best way to save money on a cross country move is to downsize. The most common places to get rid of items are clothes and kitchen items. If you got a kitchen gadget over a year ago and have used it once, that may be a good item to sell or donate. If you have clothes in your closet saved because “one day” you may want to wear them again or you can’t remember the last time you wore them, those are perfect to donate.

Label Your Boxes

Think ahead to when you’re going to be unpacking, knowing what is in each box will save you the stress of looking for items. Especially items you’ll need right away, like plates, silverware, and dishes for the kitchen or bathroom towels.

Hire Movers

Some people think that do it yourself could be the cheapest and most effective option for a cross country move, but this isn’t always the case. Professional movers will load your items carefully and you won’t have to worry about damage. They will also be equipped with the right gear to help your move go smoothly. You won’t have to pay for hotels, rental trucks, and gas. Everything will be included in your moving quote.

If you need help with your cross country move, turn to Extreme Packing Solutions. We are experts movers and can help with any move no matter how big or small. For a free quote, contact us online or call us at (978) 232-9190. We’ll help your move go smoothly so you don’t have to stress.

Sometimes it’s hard to let go of the things that you hold dearly, or that has some sentimental value. As we go through life, we make memories and sometimes, if we are lucky, we capture the beautiful moments in a way that will stay with us for a while. Other times we develop certain interests, like love for comics. Mementos are meaningful items and when moving, you want to ensure that they are safely packed away. As such, it’s important to prepare your mementos for shipping that may require particular care, like special packaging material. Here is a guide on how to pack your keepsakes.

Step 1. Separate Your Mementos

Divide items into two groups, one- keep and two-discard. It’s helpful to create a group for childhood items like pictures and artwork; books, school trophies and awards; letters from friends and family and cards (birthday and Christmas); photo albums and toy collection. You’ll probably want to hold on to all that you can, but be particular in your selection and keep items that are the most meaningful and that make you truly happy. Let family members take part in the selection process by choosing an item that they like.

Step 2. Begin the Packing Process

After organizing the mementos that you want to hold on to, get ready to pack the ones you want to remain with you. Go through them and inspect them to avoid discarding something that you

may need or regret letting go later on. Some packing material that you may need to secure your mementos include moving boxes of different sizes, bubble wrap for delicate items, packing paper, sharpie markers and tape.

Packing Fragile Mementos

You may have small ceramic or glass items that can break easily. To ensure that these items will survive the move and in good condition when unpacked, consider using a small book moving box (1.5 cu’) that is more compact and sturdy and will not crush easily. Before putting the items in this box, line the bottom and sides with packing paper for padding and be sure to wrap each item in bubble wrap. Items should be positioned standing with enough space between each to avoid friction against each other. Use packing paper to fill the gaps, which will limit movement during transport.

Packing Photo Albums, Books and Precious Documents

The book box is ideal for packing books and albums that should be arranged systematically, fitting just enough in the box. To prevent damage during transit, it helps to cover the top of the box with packing paper. Cherished documents like kids’ art projects, marriage certificates and educational certificates are best stored in a crate.

Special Clothes

Special clothes, such as a wedding gown or military uniform should be treated with special care and protected with tissue paper and lay flat in a lay-down wardrobe box. Packing should be such that the clothing items are guarded against dust, dirt, creases and heat.

Packing your precious keepsakes require attention to detail. If you want a reputable moving company that can pack, create, & protect your most precious keepsakes during transit, Extreme Packing Solutions is the packing expert that you need to provide top-notch service and the peace of mind you need.  For a free quote or with any questions, call us at (978) 232-9190 or contact us via our website. 

When you are shipping your goods via freight shipping, it’s normal that your shipping company will use pallets to both pack and ship. Pallets are great for a number of reasons, and the biggest reason being that they will help protect your goods. They are also very efficient and will help maximize the trailer space. Most companies use a standard size pallet, which you can use to help pack your items and get an accurate shipping quote.

Standard Pallet Dimensions

The most common pallet sizes are:

• 48” x 40”
• 42” x 42”
• 48” x 48”

How Much Should a Pallet Weigh?

How much a pallet should weigh will depend on the size of the pallet and the materials used. No matter what size/materials you should aim to have pallets weigh anywhere from 30-48 lbs. A few pounds over, shouldn’t matter too much with the strength of the pallet.

Types of Pallets

When you use a pallet, it makes it easy for a forklift to move the items in the storage facility until the shipment is ready to be shipped. This will help ensure that no damage occurs when the shipment is being loaded or unloaded. Pallets can be made from a variety of materials and the types of pallets depend on how they’re constructed.

Most Common Pallet Types

• Two-way pallets – these pallets have forklift openings on both ends of the pallets and are also called unnotched pallets.
• Partial four-way pallets – these pallets have standard forklift openings on two ends, and the other ends, they’ll have smaller openings.
• Four-way pallets – these pallets have your standard forklift openings on all four ends.
• Stringer pallets – these pallets are built using 2” x 4” materials of either wood, plastic, or metals. They also have two-way forklift openings.
• Block pallet – these are your sturdiest pallets and are made with both a parallel and perpendicular layout which gives the pallet extra support. They have nine blocks sized either at 4” x 4” or 4” x 6”. They also have your standard four-way forklift opening.

Once you have a basic understanding of pallets you can gauge which type of pallet is best for your shipment. If you still don’t know, contact the custom crating & packing experts at Extreme Packing Solutions. We offer free estimates and want to get your shipment to its destination safely. For a free quote or if you want more information, contact us directly on our website or call us at 978-232-9190.

Moving can be a stressful ordeal, depending on how well you prepare for the transition. There are many variables to take into account, from the weather to transportation. You want to save money and avoid the hassle that sometimes come with a move. One thing that you can do to ease any worry in this area is to choose a reliable moving company that can get your belongings safely and securely to your new location. There are several factors to consider in order to make the best choice in a reputable moving company.

1. Choose a Local Mover

When first looking for a moving company think local. There are several advantages of hiring a local moving company that are based in your area. A local moving company may possibly offer to personally visit your old home and assist with creating a plan for the best way to get the moving process on the way. You also avoid the chance of being duped by shady online moving companies and get the opportunity to visit the company’s office to check out their equipment.

2. Obtain Estimates

It’s much smarter to get a few written in-home estimates to compare before making any sort of financial deals or commitments. It’s about having options and choosing the best possible deal that is economical for you. Look out for scams that come in the form unusually low quotes that are intended to win bids or online quotes without a company representative actually showing up to assess the job.

3. Verify Credentials

A reputable moving company will have some type of credential that you can validate. Moving companies that operate between states typically have a Department of Transportation (DOT) issued number, which grants them license to operate. It also helps to have a few references from persons who previously used the services of the moving company. Doing so will help you to learn about the advantages and disadvantages of the moving company.

4. Check Out Reviews and Complaints

Finding customer feedback can be most helpful if you want to learn about a moving company’s way of doing business. There are online tools that allow you access to reviews, feedback and complaints about a moving company. Simply typing in a company’s name, along with term reviews or feedback online can direct you useful information that can help you in your decision. The Better Business Bureau, for example, is a good source of reviews on moving companies.

Make your moving experience a little easier by choosing a reputable moving company. You’ll be happy that you did. Be sure to verify their credentials, hire a local mover, compare estimates and know what previous customers have to say about the service provided the company that you are considering for the job. For a moving company that is reliable, Extreme Packing Solutions is the right one for the job. Quality service is their priority. For more information on our services or if you have any questions, feel free to give us a call at (978) 232-9190 or contact us directly on our website. We are located in Beverly, MA but are able to ship both domestic and internationally.

Packing for a move is a process that takes time and careful planning to ensure all of your items arrive to the new destination safely. Certain rooms of the house contain an extra set of challenges that leave many homeowners unsure of how to pack. One of the most notable of those challenging rooms is the kitchen. Luckily for you, we’re going to go through each step of the packing process to make your kitchen just as simple as the rest of the home!

Packing Food for Moving

When it comes to packing your kitchen, pack as little food as possible. Cut back on grocery shopping as the move approaches and do your best to empty the cabinets and fridge. If you have non-perishable items left in the pantry you can decide if you’d like to box them up for the move or donate them and repurchase at the new location. If your move requires shipping items, it’s cheaper to repurchase in the new location.

Packing Dishes for Moving

Dishes are the most fragile items in a kitchen. To protect your dishes, pack them vertically in a box with bubble wrap between each dish. The box should be tightly filled to avoided movement and cracking during the move. If you don’t have enough dishes to fill the box tightly, use bubble wrap or packing paper to fill in the remaining space. Be sure to label the box as fragile so that any movers handling the box will know to use extra caution.

Packing Cookware and Tupperware for Moving

The pots, pans, and containers that fill your kitchen cabinets are inconvenient to pack, but it isn’t difficult. Start by finding a large box and place the items similar to how you would in a cabinet, stacked by size. It’s a good idea to pad each layer between the pots and pans with bubble wrap or packing paper to avoid damaging the surface of the item.

Packing Utensils for Moving

Sort your utensils to make for easy packing and unpacking. For instance, use tape or bubble wrap to hold all of your spoons together. Knives should be wrapped in protective padding and placed blade down in the box to avoid injuring anyone who’s a part of the move.

If you have questions about packing your kitchen or want to take the task off your to-do list, contact Extreme Packing Solutions & our team of moving and packing specialists to get the job done! You can call us at (978) 232-9190 or contact us directly on our website.