Shipping needs vary whether you are talking about custom industrial packaging or otherwise. The various shipping options available can provide unique benefits that could support your specific business needs. How do you know which is the right option for your packaging? Three popular packaging types for shipping include pallets, skids, and bases. All three are different in what they offer. What sets them apart? What benefits does each provide you? Let’s explore the difference between the three packaging solutions mentioned.
Pallets
Pallets are perhaps the most popular option for packaging being transported. They are commonly made of wood, but are also available in plastic, and also made from composite material. Standard pallets are 40” x 48” in size and have both a top and bottom deck, which add to their sturdiness and stability. It’s possible to find wood pallets that feature three or four stringers meant to hold several deck boards in place when goods are placed atop. Pallets are lightweight and are ideal for forklift use and racking, as well as transporting goods in transit. However, they are less than ideal for use as a permanent foundation.
Skids
Skids are single-deck loading platforms designed with only a top deck for loading to which bases are attached to support the platform. They are typically custom-built to support particular products or items, like heavy machinery. Think of skids as heavy-duty packaging that can be large, with the capacity to act as a permanent foundation for the heavy products being hauled. The absence of a bottom deck makes skids more difficult to drag, but access to products to be lifted much easier. An added benefit of skids is that they can be mobile.
Base
Bases have some similarities to skids and pallets, but it’s a bit different. They are true to their name, typically functioning as bases for crates. They are often constructed differently to accommodate sides. A good example is a “lip” that stretches from the bottom deck and lends structural integrity supporting the sides in the process. Bases can be designed to be relatively lightweight given that it’s the sides and top provide the base with added stability. Bases can be custom designed to fit the load they transport and to also be shock-absorbent to protect delicate products, such as electrical and computer products.
Contact Extreme Packing Solutions in Beverly
Maybe you are wondering whether bases, skids, or pallets are best suited for your freight and shipping needs. Let Extreme Packing Solutions help you to make the right choice. We can guide you through the various packaging solutions and share with you the benefits that each provides, and how they can meet your unique needs. Choose us to be your one-stop packaging solution. Don’t hesitate to contact us today by giving us a call at 978-232-9190 or fill out a contact form.