Distribution centers can be very beneficial for some industries. The way distribution centers work are specific to each industry and each company that uses them. There are common benefits and reasons why many industries use them and what they can accomplish.

What is a distribution center?

A distribution center is like a warehouse which items are stocked before they go out to their retailers. This can expedite the process of shipping items out to customers. As companies grow and have common shipping channels to parts of the country, it is common for them to get multiple distribution centers so that they can ship their products out to their clients faster. Some of the most common industries that use distribution centers are online relators, ecommerce companies, and fortune five hundred companies that have physical locations.

Warehousing and local shipping

Depending on the industry, distribution centers can be used for both distributing their retail to stores, as well as direct to the consumer buying the product. Warehousing is known more for storing products until a store needs them to be distributed. Local shipping uses distribution centers so that all of the items being shipped are in one place.

Industries & main benefits

• Better Control. You are able to create a centralized commonplace for items to be received at, then once ready, shipped out to clients.
• Monitor your inventory. This is helpful because when everything is in one place, you are able to quickly take inventory and see which products are selling faster, and what you might need to get ahead of ordering on.
• Your products are accessible. Everything is in one place, if an item gets changed or cancelled you are able to quickly and easily changed.
• Save time. Having everything all in one place and organized can help you from having to run around looking for things, or figuring out what happened, or what needs to take place next.

Having a distrubtion center doesn’t make sense for every company or every business. It’s important to really understand how your company operates, what your pain points are, and if having a centralized distrubtion center would make the most sense.

If you have any questions on if a distrubtion center is right for you and your industry, give us a call today at 978-232-9190 or contact us on our website. Let us know how we can help you and answer any potential questions you may have.

You’ve invested a lot of money in your electronic devices. Whether you’re a homeowner and are looking to move or you’re a startup tech company in the Greater Boston area looking to relocate, it’s important that your electronic equipment makes it safe an sound to it’s new destination. At Extreme Packing Solutions, we’re here to help you avoid some of the most common mistakes many people make when it comes to packing up electronics.

Do’s and Don’ts When Packing Electronic Equipment

1. DO Purchase Packing Materials. Ideally, you should always try to save the original packaging for your electronic devices, such as computer towers, laptop boxes, and plasma TV boxes. We understand that space is a limited commodity here in the Boston area, but if you have room under your bed, in the basement or in the closet, it’s best to keep the original boxes and packing materials. If you recycled those, no worries. Instead, purchase packing materials that will fit your electronic devices. For instance, don’t purchase a large square box for a rectangular TV. There are plenty of specialized packing materials out there, and if not, EXPS Inc can custom pack and crate your electronics for you.
2. DON’T Skimp on Extra Padding. Thick-walled cardboard boxes or custom wooden crates with foam insulation can help prevent dents, scrapes, and breaks when in transit. We also recommend anti-static bubble wrap be placed around the electronic device as well as used to fill any gaps in the box after you’ve placed the item in it. Padding in the extra space prevents the object from shifting around in the box. Balled up newspaper and packing peanuts also work.
3. DON’T Forget to Label. For fragile electronic devices (which, let’s face it, is almost every electronic item), don’t forget to label the box with “This Side Up” or “Fragile” with a permanent marker. We also recommend that you purchase colored tape or stickers which will designate either what type of electronic device is enclosed or which room the device is to be placed in at the new destination. This will prevent confusion for both movers and yourself when it comes time to unpack everything.
4. DO Keep Cords & Remotes Together. Keeping electronic accessories such as remotes, wires, and cables together will not only save you a lot of unpacking time, but will also prevent items from getting lost in the jumble of moving. At Extreme Packing Solutions, we make it a point to pack these accessories in the box that the electronic device is packed in. Make sure to use twist ties, plastic bags and additional labels when packing these items with the corresponding electronic equipment.
5. DO Keep Temperature in Mind. If you are planning on placing any electronic equipment in storage, don’t forget to search for a reputable storage and warehousing company that offers temperature-controlled storage. EXPS, Inc. provides small to medium-sized businesses with temperature controlled warehousing solutions so that your electronic devices aren’t damaged by excessive heat, cold, or rapid temperature fluctuations. If you aren’t opting for storage, we also recommend you keep an eye on the temperature. During the summer, temperatures can rise into the mid to high 90’s in the Boston area which can damage many fragile electronic devices.

Don’t have the time to pack all of your electronic devices yourself? No worries! Extreme Packing Solutions is here to provide you with custom packing and crating solutions. We can also provide local courier services and short or long distance shipping for both private customers and businesses. Contact us today to request an estimate.

Moving laboratory and medical equipment is a delicate, complex and intricate process that should be coordinated and carried out with the help of a professional packing company. There are scientific instruments, animals, computer servers and database systems, as well as laboratory furniture that needs to all be safely packed, transported, and unloaded. These high value items do not deserve to be thrown into a cardboard box with some old newspaper and shoved into the back of a rental truck! Make sure your data and research is safe and secure during the moving process.

In order to help you prepare for the big move, there are a few things you will need to do in order to make the ordeal a success.

Moving Your Lab & Medical Equipment

• Prepare the animals. If your lab has animals, then start here as it is often difficult to transport animals. Be sure to talk with the animal care director at your new location to determine if there are any specific permits you need to file for. The new lab may also need to prepare and acquire permits as well in order for you to continue your research.
• Acquire work permits. Different countries and different states may require different permits than in Massachusetts. As such, you should contact your new lab institution to inquire about permits needed for radioactive or flammable substances, chemicals, animals and other materials. Be sure to set some time aside after the move to take your environmental health and safety training.
• Transfer funds. If you have a search grant or multiple funding incomes, be sure to contact the appropriate parties so that you can successfully transfer your research funds before the move.
• Decide what stays and what goes. Do you still need that stack of papers that has been sitting in the corner of the lab for months? Is there anything that can be transferred into a digital file? Keep in mind that the more stuff you have, the more expensive your move might be. Discuss with your research partners what samples and papers need to stay and what needs to go.
• Make a list. While you’re preparing your lab for the move, don’t forget to document a list of every item you are taking with you so that you have an inventory. Don’t forget that there are professional packing and shipping companies — such as EXPS, Inc. — that will also create an inventory list of items.
• Inquire about packing and shipping regulations. This is where a packing and shipping company comes into play. Before settling on a company, check state and federal regulations first to determine if the items you have need to be packaged and shipped in a particular manner. EXPS, Inc. is ISPM 15 certified, which means we can pack and ship plant materials and other organic matter.
• Contact a preferred packing and shipping company. EXPS, Inc. is here to provide both local and long distance packing and shipping services for laboratories. We provide free shipping estimates and will also provide you with a detailed agenda regarding how we will pack and ship your lab supplies and equipment. Transparency is something we strongly believe in, so you can rest assured that you will always be informed. Our professional packers will be sure to check all of your containers, properly label each one, and safely secure them onto our trucks for transport.

We understand that your laboratory equipment and supplies are what helps you conduct leading edge research, so why not ensure that it is properly cared for in transit? Contact Extreme Packing Solutions, Inc. today to get a free packing and shipping estimate for your lab and medical equipment.

Buying or selling items at auction houses is a great way to rid yourself of unwanted items, or purchase items that are hard to acquire elsewhere or by other means. Auction houses are also a great way to meet other people in your industry or who share your interests and hobbies. After buying or selling auction items, the next step is to safely pack and ship them to their new home.

It is generally understood that items bought or sold at auction houses are generally worth quite a bit of money, are big and bulky, are fragile, or all of the above. This is where auction shipping companies come in handy! However, many people aren’t sure which type of auction shipping company they need after buying or selling an item. Extreme Packing Solutions is here to help you determine which type of service is best for you.

Types of Auction Item Shipping Companies

1. Freight or Courier Service. This is the most common type of auction shipping in the Boston and New England area. Many goods purchased or sold at auction are categorized under “Household Goods” which generally means a freight company or courier service is needed. If the item or items are less-than-truckload (LTL), then your auction items will be shipped with other items in the same truck. For those who purchase a multitude of auction items — such as office or medical equipment, or a few pieces of large antique furniture — then you will have your own private truck for shipping purposes. If you end up filling an entire freight truck, then the truck will not need to make multiple stops (therefore your shipment will arrive much sooner).
2. Blanket Or Pad Wrap. Our specialty here at Extreme Packing Solutions is blanket wrap and last-mile delivery services throughout the Boston area and New England. Blank wrap is exactly what you think: each auction item is carefully wrapped in protective padded blankets and secured, by hand, in the truck before heading out for the delivery. Our packing and shipping company will also inform you whether or not custom wood crating is necessary. Many auction items are pianos, furniture or statues that require extensive padding and then a sturdy wooden box to prevent damage in transit.
3. Van Line Service. Whether your auction item needs to be transported across town or across the country, van line service is the best way to make sure your items make it safely to their new home. Van line service will involve a van or truck that is specially equipped and rigged with fastens, belts, straps, and other attachments that will fully secure your items to the truck. This van line service will almost always include package and crating services so that you or the auction company doesn’t have to.

When To Contact An Auction Shipping Company

After purchasing or selling items at a local auction house, it’s important to ask how that auction house plans on delivering or shipping the items. If it is not in their job description to pack and/or ship the items, then you will need to contact a third parting auction item packing and shipping company. Most of the time auction houses will have a list of preferred packing and shipping providers, such as Extreme Packing Solutions, that their clients can contact. Contact us today to learn more about our capabilities or to request a quote!

Extreme Packing Solutions has been nominated by Expertise as one of Boston’s best courier services in 2018! Expertise is a company whose goal is to find the best local experts in just about any industry. After looking at 146 courier service companies in the greater Boston area, Expertise narrowed their list down to their top 13 picks for 2018 which includes EXPS, Inc.

The Scoring & Decision Process

Expertise scored each courier service company based on more than 25 different factors across five categories, which were:

1. Reputation
2. Credibility
3. Experience
4. Availability
5. Professionalism

Other variables that were reviewed included qualifications, certifications, online reviews, peer reviews, and year founded. Expertise also seeks to verify contact and license information so you can rest assured that you are choosing a reputable packing, shipping, and courier service company.

What Makes Our Boston Area Courier Service Unique

EXPS, Inc. is based in Beverly and ships nationally and internationally. Our courier services include blanket wrap and last mile delivery, same or next day delivery as well as rush delivery with light assembly of items. We cover Beverly, Salisbury, Rockport, North Andover, and the entire greater Boston area and beyond. As an A+ Member of the Better Business Bureau, we are also ISPM 15 Certified and a member of the Customized Logistics and Delivery Association as well as an Authorized Shipping Outlet for UPS.

We’re here to provide our customers with professional courier services for fine art and antiques, medical equipment, high-tech equipment and more. For corporate clients, don’t forget to ask us about our corporate special which provides discounts that are more cost effective for small to medium sized businesses.

Our goal is to always provide reliable, fast and professional courier services for Boston area residents and businesses at competitive rates. Contact us online or request a free estimate on your packing and shipping needs.

Last mile delivery is a game-changer and is relatively new to the shipping, delivery, and courier service scene. This is the final step of the oft long delivery process and involves precision and coordination on the shipping company’s behalf. For Boston area retailers and e-commerce stores, this allows products and items to get from a distribution center outside the city to the storefront or to the end customer.

This type of delivery doesn’t necessarily have to be the last mile. In fact, Extreme Packing Solutions has performed last mile delivery services for an end destination that was up to 50 miles away. It all depends on the needs of each retailer. The rule of thumb however is that many of the items shipped in this fashion are small packages or mail parcels.

Last Mile Delivery and a Booming E-commerce World

The end goal of last mile delivery services is to allow shipping companies to get more products to the end consumer as quickly and efficiently as possible. Major carriers such as DHL, FedEx and UPS can only do so much volume, and with the e-commerce world growing at a rapid rate, boutique shipping and courier companies are needed for this last leg of the delivery process. With Amazon’s Prime and other e-commerce companies offering same or next-day delivery, the race is on for faster shipping. EXPS, Inc and other last mile delivery companies are here to ensure that shipments are made on time. We know the Boston area roads, have permits that allow our trucks to park, and have the man-power to complete the delivery process.

There are some challenges that come with this type of delivery service, such as larger packages and fragile or high value items. Packing and shipping companies such as EXPS, Inc have adapted to accommodate these types of items in order to continue providing last mile delivery. Our shipping company custom-crates, pad wraps, and even assembles items for customers on an as needed basis. E-commerce stores are looking for local shipping companies who can properly handle items and products in order to delivery them in perfect condition to the consumer.

If you’re ready to take your e-commerce or retail store to the next level of efficiency, contact our Boston area packing and shipping company and ask us about our last mile delivery services.

Choosing a warehouse for your products and items is a smart move. Many businesses around the Boston area don’t have enough in-house storage space for their seasonal shipments and overstocked items, which is where warehouses come into play. At Extreme Packing Solutions, Inc., we specialize in not only packing and shipping items, but storing them short-term as well. We understand how difficult it can be to find the best warehouse for your needs, so here’s a cheat sheet on what to consider while you’re doing your research.

What To Consider When Looking for a Warehouse

1. Location. Location is everything when looking for a warehouse to store your equipment or products. It’s important to consider quick access to major highways and how close the storage space is to your storefront. It doesn’t make sense to choose a warehouse halfway across the state as that cuts into travel costs and time wasted on transportation.
2. Ceiling Height. Consider the height of the warehouse’s ceilings — especially if you have industrial equipment that tops out higher than 10 feet. Although in most cases ceiling height shouldn’t be a problem, you may want to ask the warehouse what the max height is for their space.
3. Bay Size. Just because an item or piece of equipment can fit on a flatbed truck, doesn’t mean it can fit through a door. Bay size is important to consider for those needing to store large construction or medical equipment as well as furniture or other machinery. Bay size also impacts rack ability and storage efficiencies.
4. Temperature-Controlled. EXPS, Inc. stores hundreds of antique and high value items for customers throughout New England because we offer temperature-controlled environments. If you have antique wood furniture, artwork or other valuable items, consider temperature-controlled warehouses to protect them and preserve their value.
5. Price. We all know that price often dictates your final decision on a warehouse, which is why at EXPS, Inc. we provide competitive pricing options for those who are interested in renting warehouse space. Unlike storing items in a warehouse that’s closer to the city of Boston, being in Beverly allows us to offer more affordable prices to our customers.
6. Flexibility. Will you need more space in the future? Or will you need to downsize at a moment’s notice? Keep in mind that some warehouse facilities aren’t flexible when it comes to changing the allotted amount of space you have. Be sure to find a warehouse that can meet your needs and allows your business to expand.
7. Dock Doors. How many doors can you utilize? How tall or wide are these doors? What type of doors are available? Are these doors close to the storage area? All of these questions you should be prepared to ask on tour next tour of a potential warehouse.
8. Access to Railways. The greater Boston area offers businesses a wide network of rail systems that can reach anywhere across the east coast and beyond. If you need access to railways to transport your equipment or goods, then it’s crucial to find a warehouse that isn’t far from a railway hub.
9. Ordinances. Town and state ordinances vary, so don’t forget to ask what the local ordinances are at a particular warehouse you’re interested in. Some laws may limit truck use, cargo weight and type of good stored.
10. Short or Long-Term. Warehouses are very particular about how long you can store your equipment and goods. At EXPS, Inc., we offer short-term warehousing solutions to small to medium-sized businesses. If you are in need of longer-term storage, we can also recommend you to other warehousing providers.

One last feature to keep in mind while looking for a warehouse in your area is to inquire whether or not they also provide distribution or last mile delivery services. EXPS, Inc. provides last mile delivery and distribution because we understand that as a business owner, your job is to be on the front lines at your storefront. Let us handle the logistics and shipping so you can focus on more important business matters. Contact us today about warehousing and distribution services with EXPS, Inc.

We know you’re itching to do some spring cleaning this year, but before you put all those unwanted items into the dumpster, you may want to look through this list to see if you have any of these items lying around. As the saying goes “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” — and that is decidedly so when it comes to some of these common household items.

Items Worth A Lot of Money in Your Home

1. Old Coins. It’s not just pocket change — some coins are actually quite rare and will fetch a pretty penny. For those with old quarter dollars, pennies from 1945, and the Ben Franklin half dollar, you could end up making quite a bit of money.
2. Old Cell Phones. We’re talking late 1990’s/early 2000’s with the introduction of the Nokia handheld phones. Depending on the condition it’s in, you may end up making upwards of $100.
3. Old Electronics. Still have that first generation Macintosh computer? Or perhaps a retro PC? We suggest heading to get these items appraised. Don’t forget that the condition they are in largely determines the sell price.
4. Old Toys or Games. First generation Game Boys, antique monopoly sets and other vintage boardgames always do well at auction houses or on places such as eBay. Toys such as lego sets, American Girl Dolls, Beanie Babies and Polly Pockets have been known to fetch a couple hundred dollars a piece.
5. Collectible Cards. Sports cards, Magic The Gathering cards, and Pokemon cards have all put up high pricetags as of late. The best part about selling old collectible cards is that there will always be a buyer. Some Pokemon cards from the early 1990’s are going for nearly $4,000 on eBay!
6. Old Books, Magazines & Comic. If you check your bookshelves or basement, you may be surprised to find old magazines, books or comics lying around. Old novels from famed authors — especially if they are first edition — can earn you some cash. Comics and magazines have also been known to sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
7. Vinyl Records. Anything from the 78-rpm category is heavily sought after by collectors. Vinyls from Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Elvis, and Sex Pistols and other iconic musicians are also always in demand.

Safeguarding Your Valuable Purchases or Sold Items

After you’ve sold or purchased any of these types of vintage items, it’s important to protect them if you plan on shipping them across the state or country. Extreme Packing Solutions is here to help provide our customers with comprehensive and professional packing and shipping services. We make it a point to protect your valuables in custom boxes or padded envelopes in order to protect the items in transit. Contact our packing and shipping company today to learn more about our auction item solutions.