Can reusable plastic crates help reduce logistics costs?

When expenses go up or profits go down, many companies look at their logistics operations to cut costs. Your first step could be to speak to carriers and suppliers, including plastic pallet suppliers, to find out if there are any potential deals available to you.

If you take a closer look at your shipping materials, you may find that you can cut costs with reusable plastic crates. Solid plastic crates are durable and are an excellent, long-lasting solution that can save you between 40 and 70 per cent, according to the GWP Group.

The benefits of reusable plastic crates

If you benefit from these advantages of using plastic crates, it is worth considering using them.

(1) Reduction in procurement costs

Reusable plastic crates eliminate the costs associated with dismantling and disposing of single-use materials. Whether it’s labour hours or outsourced contracts, this could mean significant savings in your supply chain.

Of course, if you opt for reusable materials, you only need to buy the plastic crates once. This reduces transport costs with immediate effect.

If you have a two-way logistics system, you also don’t have to buy containers for return transport. Your reusable items will be sent back to you anyway, so you only need to set additional rates if you want to send something with them.

Buy your reusable plastic crates once, and get your systems up and running. Reusable plastic crates can reduce your logistics costs.

(2) Improve internal systems

Both rigid and collapsible plastic crates work with automated systems. This is almost a necessity as so many companies now have automated systems in place. You know that your plastic crates can be reused. So automated systems can be set up appropriately and for the foreseeable future. Disposable options carry the risk of your supplier changing the size or shape of their product. If this happens, your systems will need to be reprogrammed.

In industries such as food or pharmaceuticals, plastic pallets and crates pose a far lower risk in terms of hygiene and contamination. The ability to control the cleaning cycle of your plastic containers is important for consistent, excellent hygiene.

Compared to containers such as cardboard boxes, both plastic crates and plastic pallets can carry much heavier weights. This may allow you to consolidate some shipments and avoid manual handling issues for your employees.

3) Can handle changes to your shipping route

Unlike wooden pallets and many other bulk containers, reusable plastic crates can handle a high degree of temperature fluctuation, which means they can fit into a variety of logistics systems. If your shipment needs to be stored in a cool room or is being shipped to a hot country, your reusable plastic crates will withstand the changes.

Reusable plastic crates can reduce your logistics costs.
Your reusable plastic crates can withstand changes in your supply chain.
You know that you have a large stock of transport boxes that can withstand any changes. You need to make your shipping logistics truly valuable.

4) Light enough to reduce shipping or logistics costs

Plastic crates are lightweight compared to wooden crates, which reduces shipping weight and costs. Investing in your own reusable plastic crates guarantees you consistent shipping costs. This is plannable for the company and can be included in the financial analysis.

To discuss which of our plastic pallets and crates can help your business reduce supply chain costs, talk to the Swan Pallets team today.