Craters & Freighters - NY/NJ

"Just Strap it to a Pallet"

2011-12-07T11:17:00.000-05:00

Why is it that when we are asked to "Just strap it to a pallet", we try to offer a higher level of packing? Take a look at the photo below. This item originated elsewhere but made a pit stop at our facility to get repacked when the "strap it to a pallet" method clearly didn't hold up against the rigors of LTL transportation.

We understand that full wood crating isn't always required but it is our job to get your shipment to its destination safely. Keep in mind that the packing shown above does not comply with the NMFC packing standards and therefore can void the carrier insurance release values. The packing below is our recommended alternative and is commonly foam lined for additional protection.

See more photos in our Gallery

Chaos! Fire! Destruction!------Check out our Movie Trailer!

2011-08-12T07:32:00.000-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao6RgA0eSOc

Craters & Freighters Featured on Business Day with Terry Bradshaw!

2011-06-15T15:52:00.000-04:00

It's Easy Being Green! Part 1

2011-04-12T10:49:00.000-04:00

An unfortunate truth of the packaging business is that it creates tons of waste. Dedicated to be part of the solution, Craters & Freighters has been implementing Green practices for years.

One of our favorites is the cardboard shredder. It is a specialized piece of machinery that eats up used boxes and sheets of scrap cardboard to produce a quilt-like matting. While it can be used to cushion and protect items, our main use is for void-fill because no one likes getting those annoying peanuts.

The best part is that once it arrives at the destination, it can be reused or simply recycled with their other cardboard. Since we purchased the shredder, we've estimated that we have saved approximately 1400 cu ft of packing material a year! That's the more than a 15' x 12' room filled floor to ceiling!

How do you expect Grandma to open the crate?

2011-03-24T17:36:00.000-04:00

Should this even be something you need to consider? While most freight companies stop at the curb and ask to "sign here", Craters & Freighters has the unique ability to offer delivery that includes unpacking and removal of packaging materials. So go ahead and send her that new mobile scooter or six foot tall portrait of the grandchildren. Just let us know when placing an order and we will make the necessary arrangements.

Helping customers reduce costs without sacrificing service

2011-01-18T10:42:00.000-05:00

Our customers rely on us to handle their most delicate and valuable items. We understand the importance of our role to deliver our customer's goods in the same condition it was in their facility.

There are numerous factors that help shape the best packaging solution. For example, the lab test rack shown below is roughly 7' tall. If this was being shipped within the US, it would have likely been shipped upright, but this was going overseas. Crating the cabinet upright would have exceeded the maximum height for most cargo flights. The limited service would have extended the transit time and been extremely expensive.

To avoid these issues, we worked with the manufacturer to see if the cabinet can be laid down. Since this was discussed before the item was completed, they were able to make some minor design changes to avoid the concerns with shipping it this way. When it came time that the unit was ready to ship, knowing upfront that were were able to lay it down minimized the time required for us to prepare it for shipping. That, along with the increased access to flights, reduced the overall transit time from our customer to their customer overseas.

Before & After - Alfa Romeo Car engine

2010-12-14T16:43:00.000-05:00

Just because something is crated, doesn't mean it is packed right. In the example below, we were contracted to re-crate an Alpha Romeo engine going to Europe. The original crate, packed with spare tires might work to get it around the corner, but maybe not for a trip across the Atlantic. Secondly, the original crate was not stamped per the ISPM export wood regulations. No worries here as we are a certified ISPM facility!

How am I going to get that out of the crate?

2010-11-10T09:31:00.000-05:00

So, a 1500 pound crate arrives and you don't have a forklift. What do you do?

Just let us know in advance and we can build a custom ramp for the equipment to roll out of the crate. The equipment shown below is used for laser eye surgery so it is a safe bet that the office it was shipped to did not have equipment available to safely lift it out of the crate.

For the highest level of service, we have locations nationwide that can receive the shipment, inside deliver and remove all the packaging materials for you.

Click here to find a location

Marble Top End Tables - Some Assembly Required

2010-09-16T13:10:00.000-04:00

As nice as it is to open a package containing your new purchase assembled and ready to use, sometimes that isn't the best way to get it to you safely. For example, the four end tables shown are topped with a heavy piece of marble. The best way to ensure they arrive safely is to remove the marble tops and pack them upright. Shipping brittle materials like marble, slate, and glass flat is never recommended. It causes the material to flex and since those materials can't flex, they will break.

The larger crate shown below contains the table bases which are individually wrapped and sectioned off with foam dividers. The marble tops were placed upright in the smaller crate and divided by foam sheets.

Our #1 fan! Check out our new video!

2010-08-06T09:12:00.000-04:00

Marble Column

2010-07-20T21:03:00.001-04:00

The Romans did it with manpower. We do it with forklifts and foam. Either way, moving marble is a challenge. It is inherently fragile and is highly susceptible to cracking. As with other stone materials, it can withstand tremendous compressive forces, but can break easily if it is allowed to flex. Therefore, when packing marble, it is important to properly cushion it. Too much foam, it will be too hard and not offer any cushioning. Not enough foam, it compresses the foam to the point it is useless.

To ensure easy loading and unloading, we went with a cradle design. This effectively removes any packing expertise for unloading or repacking as it will only fit one way in the crate.

The crate was shipped laying down as shown in the final photo. The other photos were taken upright to show the foam cavity design. Laying it down provided a more stable stance and removed the potential tipping hazard.

600 Pound Baseball Player?

2010-06-30T10:13:00.000-04:00

The statue titled "Mighty Casey" has been on display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York since 1987. The bronze statue, inspired by the 1888 Ernest Thayer poem "Casey at the Bat", stands nearly 7 feet tall and weighs 600 pounds. The statue was sold at auction and was time for Casey to move on to his new home in California.

In order to ensure Casey's safety, he was picked up from the Hall of Fame in a truck with an "air-ride" suspension and returned to our shop for construction of the crate. The large, heavy base was encased with foam for cushioning and to prevent shifting in the crate. We then used foam lined braces throughout the crate to hold Casey in place for his 3,000 mile journey.

www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casey_at_the_Bat
www.baseballhall.org

Rutgers University Race Car Sponsorship

2010-06-09T20:49:00.000-04:00

A couple of months ago, we were contacted by an engineering student of Rutgers University in need of shipping a race car they built to California for an upcoming competition. At first glance, I didn't know what the project would entail, so we decided to meet a couple members of the Rutgers team to learn more. The students took the time to show us their work in progress and we were quickly impressed. There was an instant connection as my partner and I, both engineers, welcomed the discussion of compression ratios, g-forces and data acquisition. This car had more sensors than the space shuttle! OK, enough of the nerd talk but you certainly didn't need an engineering degree to appreciate the effort these students put into the design of this car.

The event is being held at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA. That's where we come in. We decided to sponsor the team and donate the services. The team, working right up to the last minute, dropped the car off at our shop for us to build the custom crates. The crate needed to be built in a way that they can quickly unload the car upon arrival and then reload it when the race was over. Following the completion of the race, we will then organize the pick-up of the crate for the return shipment to Rutgers. Special considerations were factored in such as specific delivery and pick-up times at the venue, special markings on the crate, and securing the car in a way that didn't allow the suspension to bounce the entire trip out there. Overall, this was a fun project to be involved in. We wish the Rutgers Racing Team good luck and success in CA!

Rutgers Formula Racing Team: www.rfr.rutgers.edu/
About the SAE Formula Competition: http://students.sae.org/competitions/formulaseries/about.htm
See if your Alma Mater is competing: http://students.sae.org/competitions/formulaseries/fsae/teamsites/

Exporting Bugs?

2010-05-26T19:09:00.000-04:00

Do crates and pallets need to be certified "Bug Free" before shipping internationally? Yes, and the most common time shippers first find out about this is just before their shipment is ready to go out.

Here's how it goes. They have their item crated and ready to go. A call is made for the carrier to pick-up and they ask, "is the crate ISPM 15 compliant?" The typical first response is, "huh?"

Over the past 10 years, more and more countries have adopted this standard to ensure that the wood packaging materials entering their county are free of destructive insects. These insects can cause immense damage to crops and forests when introduced to foreign lands. Therefore, when shipping to one of these countries (see links below) the crate must be stamped as shown in the photo.

What to do? A crate must be obtained from vendor registered with an accredited inspection agency. Craters & Freighters of NY/NJ is registered and our crates are stamped with the proper certification.

http://www.cratersandfreighters.com/cf/ispm15.do

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/plant_exports/wpm/wpm_faqs.shtml#1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISPM_15

Fire Breathing Dragon

2010-05-03T20:39:00.000-04:00

OK, maybe it didn't breath fire, but this wasn't your average stuffed animal. This dragon from FAO -Schwartz had a 12' wingspan! She stood proudly over the main entrance for years until a buyer with a good home (and high ceilings) came along.

When it came time to send her to her new home in Florida, we got the call. Along with the dragon went the rock formation it was mounted on, a bear, kangaroo, lion, deer and dog.

Without the rock, the dragon just wanted to slump over so we needed to prop her up with some wood framework for the trip. Laying her down may have distorted the internal framework sacrificing the shape of the dragon.

The rock formation and bear were secured to a custom pallet and heat shrinked. The other animals were placed around the dragon filling out the pallet. The pallets were then shipped to one of our offices in Florida to perform the final delivery to the residence.

Neon Trees for Belvedere Vodka

2010-04-19T21:02:00.000-04:00

Neon signs are made with an array of vacuum tubes with designs limited only by the signmakers' imagination. The physical properties of the glass, along with the intricate twists and turns of the design, make neon signs one of the more challenging items we are contracted to pack.
Belvedere Vodka needed to ship two custom made neon trees to various events it was hosting around the country. Due to the nature of the item, there were very few places to support the trees in the crate. The top surface wasn't an option as it was covered in the glass tube. The only area we could use was the aluminum frame that the tubes were mounted on. With minimal clearance between the frame and tubes, we had to design a unique brace that included "teeth"made of plywood. The teeth allowed us to work around tubing, mounts and hardware while making solid contact with the frame.
Due to the high fragility, proper cushioning was a priority. Polyethelyne and polystyrene foams are far too rigid to cushion the glass, so a soft, gray polyurethane foam was used to isolate the trees from the crate. Finally, all braces were clearly marked to ensure proper installation and removal.

Marble sculptures for a traveling exhibit

2010-04-12T09:18:00.000-04:00

Sculptures are a common item for us to crate and ship but when it is part of a traveling exhibit, there are some additional things to consider. We have plenty of experience and equipment to move items like this around, but what about each of the venues that it will be displayed at? What are their capabilities of repacking it for its next trip? What if they loose the packing materials? What if they pack it upside down?

These are just some of the factors that must be considered when designing the packaging. In the case of this sculpture, we worked with the original shipper to come up with a design that would be easy to load and unload, as well as duplicate each time minimizing the chance for improper packing. In summary, pack so that is only fits one way...The correct way.

First was the foam selection. Polyethelene foam was used for its high durability and ease of cutting custom shapes. It also adheres well to the wood with a hot melt adhesive. The foam was then cut to fit the contours of the sculpture. Knowing that lifting straps would be used at each stop, we cut channels in the foam to allow the straps to be slid underneath the sculpture without having to move it out of the foam cavity. Next foam lined braces were located to hold it down and from moving side to side. Finally, screws were used to attach the walls so the crate can be disassembled while on display to minimize storage space.

Native American Sculptures

2010-04-01T07:31:00.000-04:00

This was certainly unique. A 14' long, 700 pound Native American sculpture and matching "feasting bowl" needed to be shipped back to the original sculptor in Washington State .

The first challenge was picking them up. It was a long day traveling out to the eastern tip of Long Island to pick them up from a residence. At 700 pounds, it took some muscle, clever use of dollies and our liftgate equipped truck to safely retrieve it from the shipper. Once it was back in our shop, we were able to utilize our forklift and straps to safely lift it and load them onto the crate bases.

Due to the large size and high weight, a crate more commonly used for industrial applications was selected. Polyethylene film was used to protect the surface of the sculpture while foam pads were installed throughout the interior of the crate for cushioning. We then positioned foam lined braces inside the crate to hold the sculptures in place.

Every shipment has a unique set of requirements. Although we have never shipped a sculpture quite like this, our experience with handling all sorts of unique items has allowed us to determine the best methods for a safe relocation.

Packing a Custom Made Doll House

2010-03-23T21:20:00.002-04:00

We've all seen a dollhouse before, but the dollhouses out of FAO Schwartz in NY is a whole different story. They are incredibly detailed and in some cases, miniature replicas of the customer's home, right down to the same room decorations and and furniture.

When packing, foam blocks are used to block and cushion the dollhouse from the crate without the use of wrappings. The potential problem with wrappings is that it would result in pressure around the corners of the dollhouse, potentially causing small components to break off. The other consideration is that the customer needs to be able to easily remove the dollhouse from the crate without causing any damage.

Recently featured in a newspaper article

2010-03-19T08:36:00.000-04:00

We were recently interviewed for an article for the Courier News and Home News Tribune that printed today. Click the link below to check it out.

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20100319/BUSINESS/100318038/1022

Crating Wildlife Models

2010-03-16T21:30:00.000-04:00

This model of a Blue Footed Boobie Bird is part of a traveling exhibit for the American Museum of Natural History. As with many wildlife models, we need to contend with many delicate parts such as the feathers, feet, tails, etc.. We also must consider how the piece will be loaded and unloaded over the span of the exhibit. Overly complicated packing requirements will increase the chance of damages while packing.

For this shipment, a platform was used to mount the model. The platform allows the piece to be safely slid out of the crate and then unbolted. We then utilize foams to cushion and isolate the platform from the outer crate to minimize the shock.

Before & After - Crane Axles

2010-03-11T20:14:00.008-05:00

We recently received a call to pick up and repair a couple of crates that were damaged in shipment. These crates contained 2000 pound crane axles and were bound for Asia but sustained damage en route to it's flight out of NY from the manufacturer.

As seen in the first photo, the crate base cracked in half and separated from the walls. The original crates (not ours) were not adequate for this weight and required completely new crates of a different design. The first challenge was to safely offload the damaged crates from the truck. Since the crate was in pieces, it prevented us to lift the crate as we normally would. Doing so would have caused the axle to "roll" out of whatever was left of the crate and sustain damage. Using various tools, straps and forklifts, we were able to safely remove the crates from the truck.

We then proceeded to build two new crates with more substantial supports and bracing suitable for items of this weight. The axles were loaded, blocked and banded in then returned to the airport for immediate shipment out.